You Can Now Test Ticks for Lyme Disease-Causing Bacteria at Home
A new at-home testing kit called LymeAlert allows users to test ticks for the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. The kit, which costs $49.99, provides results in 30 minutes to help individuals decide if they need to seek medical attention.
Why it matters
This technology offers a proactive tool for public health management, potentially reducing unnecessary medical visits or identifying risks earlier.
—Santiago Urquijo—Getty Images It's a rite of summer: enjoying time outdoors and all that nature has to offer. But that can come with dangers, and ticks , which can transmit Lyme disease , top the list.
Not every tick carries Lyme, however—and there's no way to know whether the one that's bitten you does, unless you send it out to get tested.
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