Lyme, a Rare Disease? Not For 200 Attending Lecture at Holmdel High

An information-packed session featuring four prominent Lyme disease experts drew more than 200 people to the high school's auditorium last night.

One of them was psychiatrist Robert Bransfield, M.D. of Holmdel, who has an office in Red Bank. He spoke about the brain and tick-borne diseases.

By show of hands, about a third of the attendees said they came because they wanted to learn more about Lyme's effect on children, about 2/3 agreed with the statement that they were "sick and tired of being sick and tired," and 1/2 knew someone close to them struggling with the devastating effects of Lyme disease.

The speakers wrapped up their Powerpoint presentations after two and a half hours, and half of the audience left. But half stayed on, keenly listening to a question and answer session. By the nature of the questions they submitted on index cards, the attendees seemed to be well educated on the baffling subject of Lyme disease and looking for the final word on remedies.

The idea for the forum came from physical therapist Wendy Inglis of Holmdel, who has been helping an ever-increasing number of patients with Lyme -- a disease one speaker pointed out is caused by a spirochete, and is older than the human race. The Holmdel High School PTSO partnered with the Lyme Disease Association to facilitate the discussion, which provided a grant for the program expenses, publicity and material. "I think there is a lot of hope tonight," said PTSO President MaryLou Moramarco, who was surprised by the large turnout.

There were lots of handouts offered and so much information that the speakers had to speak quickly to fit it all into their time at the microphone.

Here are some highlights of some interesting tips Gerald T. Simons, PA-C shared about dealing with tick bites.

• Buy, in advance, a professional tick removal tool, found in drug stores, in case a member of the family comes home with a tick. Remove it quickly, without squeezing the body, and treat the wound with Bacitracin. Bring the tick to your family doctor for their inspection. Take a photo of the rash, if there is one. Put wax paper over any rash and trace it, and bring it to your doctor so it can be determined if the rash is getting larger. 

• The best way to get rid of ticks so small you can't even see is to throw your clothes in the dryer so the heat can kill them. Also, you can spray permethrin on clothing to repel ticks. L.L. Bean sells clothing impregnated with the chemical. 

• Simons does not use DEET to prevent bug bites. He recommeded Buzz Away Extreme. He also says ticks hate the smell of lavender, so consider lavender shampoo, soap, laundry soap, etc.