As the weather warms up, it’s time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Unfortunately, with the beautiful weather comes the emergence of ticks, and the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. If you’re like me, you might have already encountered one of these pesky critters or received questions from friends or family about how to handle tick bites.
I wanted to take a moment to share some essential tips on what to do if you find a tick on you or your loved ones — and how to stay safe during tick season.
The first and most important step in preventing tick-borne illnesses is regular tick checks. I can’t stress this enough! Whether you’re spending time in the garden, hiking, or just out in the yard, make sure to check yourself and your family members for ticks at least once a day.
For kids, I recommend checking twice a day. By doing so, you’re much less likely to find a tick that’s been attached for too long, which is key to minimizing your risk.
If you find a tick on your skin, the first thing you’ll want to do is assess how long it’s been attached. Here’s a quick guide on how to handle the situation:
If you’ve been checking regularly and find the tick in an obvious place, you can feel fairly confident that it’s been attached for less than 24 hours. Good news: The risk of contracting Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses from a tick that’s been on for less than 24 hours is very low.
However, even in this case, I still recommend saving the tick. Store it in a plastic bag with the date. If you or anyone in your household starts feeling sick later, you can send the tick for testing to help determine whether it carried any diseases. You can submit ticks for testing through the UMass Extension at UMass.edu/tick.
If you find a tick that is embedded and engorged, this means it’s likely been attached for longer than 24 hours. In these cases, I recommend taking a single dose of doxycycline.
Why doxycycline? Research has shown that a single dose of doxycycline, taken within 72 hours of a tick bite, can significantly reduce the chances of developing Lyme disease or anaplasmosis, another tick-borne illness.
I didn’t always recommend this, but after reviewing the research, I believe it’s a good precaution to take, especially in cases where the tick is engorged or you’re unsure how long it’s been attached. If you’re unsure, or if you have any questions, please follow up with your healthcare provider.
Even if you’ve removed the tick, it’s still important to stay vigilant in the days and weeks that follow. Here are some key symptoms of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses (like anaplasmosis and babesiosis) to watch out for:
If you experience any of these symptoms, reach out to your healthcare provider immediately. Early treatment with antibiotics is essential for preventing long-term complications.
If you are diagnosed with Lyme disease or another tick-borne illness, here are the key steps to take for effective treatment:
These steps are crucial for minimizing the impact of the illness and ensuring a faster recovery.
In addition to antibiotics, I often recommend an herbal “tick bite protocol” to help your body address potential infections before they develop into serious problems. While these herbs aren’t a replacement for antibiotics, they can provide valuable support.
Some herbs I recommend include:
You can find these herbs at most health food stores or order them online.
Ticks are a part of nature, and while they can be a bit nerve-wracking, with the right precautions, you can enjoy the outdoors with peace of mind. Here’s a quick recap of what to do to stay safe:
Tick season doesn’t have to be scary if you know what to do. Stay vigilant, stay safe, and enjoy the beautiful spring days!