Tick Awareness

Given that our area has one of the highest rate of Lyme disease in the country and co-infections are on the rise, it is my commitment to our community to help bring awareness to the issues around tick borne illnesses.

Tick Removal Devices

As most of you are aware, I have been trying to help educate people on how to protect yourself and your family from tick bites.  Lyme disease as well as other tick borne infections (such as babesia, bartonella, and anaplasma to name a few) are on the rise.

If you find a tick, you need to remove it as soon as possible… but they can be very tough to pull out.  It is important to remove it in a manner that does not squeeze it or in any way cause it to (there is no delicate way to say this) regurgitate into you.  Hence NEVER trying to kill it while it is latched onto you (no burning it or putting chemicals on it) as they are more likely to regurgitate.

I have tick removal devices (O’Tom Tick Twisters) for sale at the office for $5.  A number of patients have purchased multiple ones for themselves as well as family and friends.  (You can also purchase them online (www.ticktwister.com) for the same cost, but you will have to pay for shipping.)  If you aren’t scheduled for an appointment in the near future but would like to purchase one, send me an email.  We will arrange a time when you know that I will be in the office and you can stop by.

I have found these to be so simple and easy to use… just slide it under the tick, twist, and pull up.  The website above has a video showing how easy it is to use.  The tick emerges alive, allowing you to put it in a sealed bag with a wet cotton ball (it can live for a very, very long time like this).  It gives you the option of bringing it to your primary care provider if you would like to be evaluated yourself and possibly have the tick tested.

Please take the time to explore these resources:

Chinese Medical Approaches in Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses – what can acupuncture & Chinese herbal medicine do to support patients recovering from these infections?

Lyme Myths – 4 myths you need to know the truth about!

Permethrin Treatment: Protect yourself by treating your outdoor clothes with Permethrin (follow container directions).  Check out this video to see the ticks quickly die when they get on you. A good defense: DEET (ideally 25% or more) containing sprays on your skin… dried permethrin on your clothes.

Have you been bitten? - check out these signs that indicate you may have been bitten

The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society – a great non-profit resource for the latest information on the science and western medical approach for diagnosing and treating tick borne illnesses.

The University of Rhode Island Resource Center: a fabulous resource with tons of the latest news about ticks and methods for protecting yourself.

Yours in healing,

Eileen