Under Our Skin (1:27) 2008

Under Our Skin is a documentary about Lyme's Disease. Having lived in Connecticut since the mid 1960s, I remember the newspaper articles about reports of a new mystery disease surfacing in the mid 1980s. This new disease was showing up in Lyme, about a forty minute drive from my home. Thirty years later, members of my family, friends, coworkers and neighbors have been diagnosed with Lyme's disease. Many, but not all, of them went to the doctors after experiencing to a rash with a red ring around it. This is a common sign of being bitten by a deer tick, the known carrier of Lyme's. Others went to the doctors because they felt sick and thought they had the flu. This documentary highlights sufferers of chronic Lyme's disease. However, there is a great debate among doctors as to the existence of chronic Lyme's disease. There is no debate about the importance of early detection and antibiotic treatment for Lyme's. Left untreated, Lyme's can be very debilitating for years and cause neurological damage. Lyme's Disease is now found in all states and across Europe. Whether you watch this documentary or not, read about the symptoms of Lyme's, check for tick bites after being outside, and if in doubt contact your doctor.