Tag Archive for: lyme disease awareness

How to Avoid Tick Bites + the Most Effective Tick Repellents for Lyme Season

By Dr. Bill Rawls, Medical Director of Vital Plan

It’s tick season again! And with the weather warming, vegetated areas are literally crawling with them! They’re all looking for a blood meal.

Late spring and early summer is peak tick season. Female ticks lay about 2,000-3,000 eggs in spring, which take a month to hatch into larval ticks no bigger than a pinpoint. About the time it warms up enough to put on shorts for the first time is when ticks are most apt to be waiting for you. For a creature that spends most of its life barely moving, you would be amazed at how fast a tick can spring onto your leg and crawl up to find a soft spot. Many ticks are so small that you won’t even notice.

Unfortunately, ticks never travel alone. Ticks carry a variety of different disease-causing microbes including bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. The most well known is Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, but there are many others.

While the threat from ticks is concerning, you don’t have to let it deter you from enjoying the great outdoors this season. Instead, add some natural and effective tick repellants and avoidance techniques to your tick bite prevention plan so that you can soak up the healing power of the outdoors and protect yourself from Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses at the same time.

Tick Avoidance Tricks

The best way to ensure you don’t get bit by a tick is to eliminate close encounters altogether. While that’s not always 100% possible, taking these steps will minimize contact significantly.

1. Wear Protective Clothing.

Before you venture outdoors, pull on a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt and pants that extend all the way down to your feet — especially if you plan on enjoying a wooded area. Long sleeves and pants will act as a barrier to your skin, while light-colored clothing will help you spot ticks more easily.

2. Stay on the Trail.

Whether you’re hiking, biking, or jogging outside, stick to a well-managed path or trail. Ticks are less likely to hang out in sunny, open spaces with minimal leaf litter or brush to conceal them.

3. Perform Regular Self-Checks.

Even the quickest physical contact with vegetation is enough to pick up a tiny hitchhiker. So if you have a close brush with nature, stop and check for ticks. Remember that some ticks are smaller than a pinhead – they can be extremely difficult to spot – so pull out your reading glasses if you have to.

4. Don’t Overlook Your Pets.

Ticks and other blood-sucking insects can also pass on harmful diseases to our furry friends. Have your pets regularly treated to reduce ticks and fleas. When your dog comes inside after running through the yard, check them thoroughly for ticks. Remember: Ticks like to hide in stealthy spots, so check your dog’s gums, ears, toes, tail, groin, and around the collar, along with the rest of the fur.

5. Maintain Your Yard.

Ticks love to hang out in tall grass, so be sure to keep your lawn trimmed this spring and summer. They also enjoy moist, shaded woodpiles. If you stack firewood in your yard, for instance, make sure it’s in a spot that gets some sun to help keep it dry.

You can also use wood to your advantage. Ticks don’t enjoy crossing over rough surfaces, so use wood chips or gravel to create a 3-foot-wide barrier between your lawn and any wooded areas. It’s not foolproof, but it will go a long way toward keeping ticks out of your yard.

6. Replace Deer-Friendly Plants.

As enjoyable as seeing deer in your backyard might be, they often carry Lyme-bearing ticks. Consider removing plants that attract deer if you can, including apple, pear, and cherry trees, as well as rhododendrons, rose bushes, pansies, daisies, lilies, tulips, and black-eyed Susans. Instead, you can replace them with plants that are not typically deer favorites, such as ornamental grass, red osier dogwood shrub, lavender, yarrow, dwarf aster, and creeping juniper groundcover.

Natural Tick Repellents

Most natural tick repellents are made with essential oils, a non-toxic alternative to synthetic insecticides and repellents that can cause skin irritation, dizziness, and disorientation when applied incorrectly. You can make your own natural solutions or buy them readymade online or in many health stores. Here are some chemical-free options for both homemade and store-bought blends you can feel good about:

1. DIY Blends

Rose-Geranium Oil

This essential oil was shown to be highly effective at deterring Lone Star ticks in a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Combine equal parts rose-geranium oil and coconut oil, and apply it regularly to your arms, neck, waist, and ankles.

Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus

Research suggests that a 30% lemon eucalyptus oil preparation can be as effective as DEET in preventing both mosquito and tick bites. To make your own, mix together 30 drops of oil of lemon eucalyptus with 4 ounces of witch hazel (you can also use apple cider vinegar or vodka). Some people also add a teaspoon of vanilla, which may further repel ticks.

Other Essential Oils

Research also suggests clove, thyme, citronella, and oregano compare favorably with DEET, but they must be reapplied more frequently than chemical tick repellants. Combine them with equal parts water or alcohol, shake, and apply.

2. Store-Bought Blends

Murphy’s Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Insect Repellent: Made with Citriodiol, a clinically proven 30% lemon eucalyptus oil preparation, it should be applied several times a day when spending time outdoors. Citriodiol is the only plant-based ingredient recommended by the CDC for repelling insects.

YAYA Organics Tick Ban: This tick repellent contains 100% plant-based ingredients. It’s full of essential oils that drive away ticks, including geranium, cedar, peppermint, and thyme.

Wondercide Flea, Tick & Mosquito Control for Pets and Home: Use this spray safely in your home or on your pets to help keep your living space tick-free. Wondercide ingredients are 100% naturally derived, including organic, therapeutic-grade essential oils.

3. Chemical Tick Repellants

While botanically-based bug repellants have a lower risk of unpleasant side effects, you may find they are not as effective as chemically-based ones. Below are three chemical tick repellent options that are known to work well.

DEET

DEET is the active ingredient in many popular tick and mosquito repellants, and it may be used on your clothing or skin. Although it’s considered the most effective chemical repellent, it can irritate the skin or cause rashes in some people. If you have a sensitivity to DEET, one of the other natural or chemical tick repellents may be a better option for you.

Permethrin

Apply permethrin as directed on the product to your clothing, socks, shoes, and outdoor gear. Note that permethrin isn’t for use on your skin. The chemical repellant is a non-staining, odorless, water-based substance that dries and bonds to cloth fiber. It resists degradation by sunlight, heat, and water. As a synthetic form of natural pyrethrin — a compound in chrysanthemum flowers that’s toxic to insects — permethrin specifically targets the insects’ nervous system and has low toxicity to mammals.

Picaridin

This synthetic compound is made to resemble piperine, a natural component of plants that is used to produce black pepper. Some studies show that picaridin can deliver long-lasting tick protection.

Self-Check and Tick Removal Steps

When prevention doesn’t work, diligent self-checks can help you detect and remove ticks from your body as quickly as possible and reduce the risk of contracting troublemaking microbes. Follow these four steps after you spend time gardening, hiking, picnicking, or enjoying any outdoor activity.

Start with a thorough tick-check on your clothes. If they’re all clear, toss your clothes into the dryer and tumble dry on high heat for at least 10 minutes. Or, wash them in hot water. The high heat will kill any tiny ticks you might have missed.
Before you get dressed again, conduct a full-body check. Ticks prefer warm, moist places, so be sure to check your armpits, in and around your ears, the back of your knees, between your legs, and around your hairline. If you have time, jump in the shower for a final tick check and rinse off.
If you do find a tick, remove it immediately. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick’s mouthparts as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Don’t twist or jerk the tick — this can cause parts of the insect to break off and remain in the skin. Instead, pull upward with a steady, even motion.
After removing the tick, thoroughly cleanse the bite area using rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water, and wash your hands. If you wish to get the tick tested for harmful microbes, place it in a jar or plastic bag with a moist cotton ball and send it to a testing lab, such IGenex, Ticknology, or TickReport. To dispose of the tick, submerge it in alcohol, then flush it down the toilet or place it in a sealed bag or container in the trash.

Even with speedy removal, contact your healthcare provider about the bite. Because Lyme disease testing can be inaccurate in the early stages, some physicians may wish to treat you with a preventatively rather than adopt a wait-and-see approach. Note: Not everyone who contracts Lyme disease develops the classic bull’s-eye rash, but if you do, that’s the telltale sign you’ve contracted the tick-borne illness and should seek treatment.

Finally, remember that maintaining a strong immune system is key to fending off any tick-borne illness: Utilizing a comprehensive herbal therapy protocol, following a healthy and plant-heavy diet, staying physically active, and minimizing toxin exposure and stress is your absolute best recipe for optimizing your health and wellness.

Embrace Herbs for Added Protection

Up to half of people with a history of embedded tick will develop chronic symptoms (arthritis, fatigue) within 4-6 weeks of the bite, despite antibiotic therapy. Most of these symptoms gradually clear with time, but some people will develop chronic disease. Herbal therapy has been shown to suppress microbes, bolster cellular health, and enhance immune function.

A few of my favorite herbs for protecting against tick-borne illnesses include: andrographis, cat’s claw bark, Japanese knotweed, reishi mushroom, and Chinese skullcap.

Don’t let the threat of ticks keep you from going outdoors this season. Utilize the advice above and keep a vigilant eye, and enjoy an active, fearless summer!

Dr. Rawls is a physician who overcame Lyme disease through natural herbal therapy. You can learn more about holistic steps for treating Lyme disease in Dr. Rawls’ best selling book, Unlocking Lyme. You can also learn about Dr. Rawls’ personal journey in overcoming Lyme disease and fibromyalgia in his popular blog post, My Chronic Lyme Journey.

Guest Blog, Patient Testimonials

From Hopeless to Hopeful: Philip’s Story of Overcoming Lyme

Here at Longevity, our mission is to love God and serve people, and we love hearing stories from patients who have experienced amazing transformations with their health. Enjoy this interview with our patient, Philip, as he shares his story of improved health and quality of life!

Describe your primary health concerns when you first started at Longevity.

After 12 years of symptoms, I had finally been diagnosed with Lyme and several coinfections by a pioneer in the Lyme field. After a year and half of multiple rounds of highly damaging and ineffective antibiotics, I was told that the Lyme would never be eradicated and I should expect to be on antibiotics for the rest of my life. I had a level 10 headache from the moment I woke till I fell asleep, crippling fatigue, and paralyzing Herxheimer reactions every two weeks. In addition to that, the bacteria had spread to my brain, and begun to cause brain fog. The absolute lack of any hope began stirring up suicidal ideation.

What was your first visit to our office like? What was your initial and ongoing response to the treatments?

I was treated very kindly by the founder, Seneca Anderson. He sat across from me, looked me in the eyes, and said “You’re not going to die.” I cried, because it was the first time anyone spoke so confidently towards me and what seemed like an absolutely hopeless situation. I began the treatment plan, and within six months saw significant changes. I continued to return to Longevity for follow up evaluations as my body slowly healed.

Describe your overall health picture today. What improvements have you experienced over the years?

I have not tested positive for Lyme for over 3 years. My headaches have disappeared. My fatigue has diminished significantly, and the debilitating Herxheimer reactions are no longer recurring. Most importantly, the hopelessness that engulfed me is now gone. I realized that my condition is not permanent and I am able to live a life that not only has energy, but hope for a vibrant future.

What is your overall impression of Longevity Health Center, the practitioners and staff?

From the receptionists to the founders, every person was so incredibly patient, kind, and professional. When first arriving at Longevity, I had many questions, all of which were answered thoroughly, giving me a high level of confidence that my treatments were being carried out by highly competent practitioners.

If you have a testimonial to share, we’d love to hear from you and use your story to encourage others!

News

Shedding Light On Lyme Disease

By Mariela Amiri, Traditional Naturopath & Patient Coordinator

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, so I want to shed a little light on this all-too-common illness, as well as some of the misinformation surrounding it. Lyme disease is the fastest growing infectious disease in the world. There are more than 400,000 new recorded cases in the United States every year, and many researchers estimate numbers may be even higher due to the fact that many people are infected and do not know about it or do not report it.

Unfortunately, most doctors are not trained to recognize or treat Lyme disease. Additionally, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), does not acknowledge the fact that this disease can become chronic, despite much evidence.

Lyme disease is primarily transmitted by insect bites. However, there is substantial research that it can be spread through other methods. Lyme disease is an inflammatory condition created by spirochete bacterias. These slow growing bacterias infect and wreak havoc on the immune system. The infection can persist in the body for years after transmission, causing systemic inflammation and a host of other problems.

The symptom presentation varies from person to person and can mimic various conditions, including Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, Lupus, Alzheimer’s, depression, arthritis and Fibromyalgia. For this reason and others, Lyme disease remains a misdiagnosed and undiagnosed disease. Additionally, conventional diagnostic testing methods are outdated and not successful at diagnosing with accuracy.

There are many ways to treat and support a person suffering from Lyme Disease. One-size-fits-all treatments aren’t successful with this complicated infection. Oftentimes, people with Lyme also suffer from other conditions. Their immune systems are so weakened by these spirochetes that other viruses, parasites, fungal infections, histamine issues, and heavy metal toxicities have a chance to thrive in such a poor health environment. Lyme disease patients see improvements in their well being when they take a whole body healing approach, rather than just treating symptoms. Healing takes place when the inner terrain is rebuilt and restored, because Lyme pathogens can’t flourish in a healthy immune system.

Natural antimicrobials, homeopathic remedies, supplements and nutritional support are all extremely effective in bringing the body back to balance without any long-term unwanted side effects. This is the safest way to treat and support those suffering from this spirochetes infection. Additionally, incorporating supporting detox therapies such as far-infrared sauna, ozone treatments, acupuncture, ionic foot baths, massage, lymphatic treatments, RIFE, epsom salt baths and dry brushing can encourage and speed up the healing process. Sleep, sunshine, exercise and meditation/prayer are also effective. Depending on the individual, it can take a few months to a few years to regain optimal health.

Here at Longevity Health Center, we are trained to holistically support those suffering from Lyme Disease. Our highly skilled Naturopaths and Homeopathic Practitioners will tailor a personalized protocol to help detoxify spirochetes bacteria, support the immune system, and lower inflammation. Additionally, we have in-house detox therapies for faster healing. Give us a call at 770-642-4646 to learn more.