What to do after being bitten by a tick: One possible protocol

1. As soon as possible – remove the tick. 

A. Using a tick removal tool (Tick Tornado ZenPet Tick Remover can be found at www.chewy.com) or fine pointed tweezers- grip the tick, getting as close as you can to its head.

 

B. Steadily pull the tick straight up and out.

C.    Place the tick in dampened paper towel and fold to small size. Place this in a zip-lock bag; then place that bag into a second zip-lock bag. Then send out to test for tick-borne pathogens. (see below)

2. Send deer tick to lab for testing for Borrelia & co-infections to one of these sites:

 

1. www.tickreport.com based at University of Massachusetts- Basic panel: Lyme, Anaplasma, Babesia, Ehrlichia is $60.

 

2. www.ticklab.org- Tick Research of Pennsylvania – Basic panel for Borrelia, Ehrlichia, Babesia-free to PA residents; $50 for Non-PA residents. Advanced Panel: $100

 

3. Visit www.nyticks.org  in Syracuse NY. Testing fees: $40 for Basic: Lyme, Anaplasmosis and Babesia $40. Comprehensive:  $80.

 

3. Soak the cotton pad of a band-aid with your favorite anti-bacterial topical extract (eg. our “After-Bite” formula) and place directly on bite (you can also mix extract with a little clay powder or crushed plantain leaf before covering). Do this 2x/day for 3 days. 

 

4. For reaction at tick bite site: Boiron homeopathic Ledum palustre 30 c- 5 pellets under the tongue 3x daily for 3 days.

 

5.  Other possible support: to take while waiting for tick results, just in case!

 

1.  Teasel root extract- 1-3 drops, 1-3 times a day. (See Herbalist Matthew Wood.)

 

2. CSA and Japanese Knotweed Extracts: ¼-tsp of each 3 x/day. (CSA not to be used in pregnancy or with hypertension or hyperthyroidism . If pregnant, consider Cistus incanus in place of CSA.) 

6. Watch for unusual symptoms. Rash appears less than 70% of the time. It does not always appear as a bull’s-eye. And it can take 1-4 weeks to see the rash. Flu-like symptoms, joint pain and headaches just a possible few. If you have symptoms, or if the tick comes back positive for a tick-borne infection contact your doctor to be tested for Lyme, etc. Western Blot test is best. Have test sent to IGenex  Lab if possible.

      8. Visit www.lymedisease.org for great information!  

      9. We recommend Stephen Harrod Buhner’s book, Healing Lyme- 2^nd edition 2016 for his core herbal protocol for Lyme. Other Buhner books address co-infections: See Healing Lyme Disease Co-infections (Bartonella and Mycoplasma) published 2013. And Natural Treatments for Lyme Coinfections (Anaplasma, Babesia and Ehrlichia) published 2015. (We carry these titles and protocol herbs at www.woodlandessence.com ).

 

    10.   You can decide whether to take an antibiotic for 30 days, use herbs and/or find a flower essence practitioner trained by David Dalton of Delta Gardens and go for flower essence treatments.  www.deltagardens.com 

9. If you choose antibiotic route, your health care provider will prescribe Doxycycline/ Tetracycline or other antibiotic. If you choose this, remember how important it is to:

1.  Take the antibiotic for 30 days. No less!  

2.  Take high quality pro-biotics during antibiotic treatment AND for 30 days after completing anti-biotics.

 

**Remember: Tick check every time you come in from being outdoors/ at least 1x/day.

 

** A good, safe, natural insect repellent for people and pets is Cedarcide Tickshield. See www.cedarcide.com.  You can choose Cedar or Lemongrass scent.

Please do continue to enjoy time in nature, connecting with the woodlands and wetlands, fields of wildflowers and your own backyard and local parks. Fresh air, sunshine, walking and playing in the places you love feeds your heart and supports your health in the best ways! Simply make sure you check each other for ticks daily. 

Forest Blessings!