The First At-Home Test for Infected Ticks Could Improve Lyme Disease Diagnosis

A new at-home test for infected ticks could help diagnose Lyme disease more quickly and accurately, potentially reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. Pediatric physician associate Erin Dawicki developed the concept after recognizing that patients often find ticks but cannot afford or access immediate office visits to determine if treatment is necessary. The test would allow people to identify disease-carrying ticks at home, enabling early treatment during the critical window when Lyme disease is most treatable and reducing the overuse of antibiotics that contributes to antibiotic resistance.