If you spend any amount of time outside, it isn't a matter of if you find an attached tick, but when. Being prepared, having the right supplies on hand, and knowing how to quickly and calmy handle the situation can be the difference between just an annoying insect and a chronic disease that haunts you for years. Below I will explain step by step our families steps on how the steps we take when we find an attached tick.
In 2009 I contracted Lyme Disease, and was re-infected a second time a few years later. I suffered with it chronically until 2015, and I now consider myself in remission. The entire experience was pretty traumatic, and was a very painful, lonely time. Since then, doctors have become slightly more familiar with tick borne diseases, but many people are going undiagnosed, misdiagnosed and ignored. While I don't share my recommendations for Lyme treatment, it is my goal to show you important steps to take to help you to quickly identify a recent infection.
If you or a loved once has experienced a tick-borne disease, you know that sinking, suffocating feeling you get when you find an attached tick. My family loves to be outdoors, and I was tired of having a near panic attack every time we encountered a tick. Instead of living in fear, I created steps for our family to take when one is found. This way, I can sleep at night knowing I did the best I know how, and trusting God with the rest.
STEP 1
Correctly remove the tick
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as you can.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick
*It is very important not to use alcohol, nail polish remover, etc. on the tick to encourage the tick to release
STEP 2
Examine and Save Tick
- Look closely at the tick to be sure the entire tick was removed. If not, do your best to remove the head of the tick that is lodged into the skin
- Place tick in a Ziploc bag with a damp cotton ball and set aside for now.
- Wash hands thoroughly
STEP 3
Clean and Treat
- Clean the bite area with soap and water
- Place a few drop of colloidal silver on the bite
- Cover the bite area with an a poultice of activated charcoal, I prefer the black drawing salve by Earthley Wellness. It's quick, less of a mess and easy to re-apply
- Cover with a band-aid if need to to keep the activated charcoal in place
- Take Ledum Palsutre 200 C.
I follow the Ledum Palsutre dosage protocol here:
https://joettecalabrese.com/blog/protocol-lyme-disease-using-homeopathy/
STEP 4
Get It Tested
- Go to TICKNOLOGY.ORG and follow the tick submission guidelines
- Getting the tick tested will either give you peace of mind, OR assist you in getting proper medical treatment quickly
- Early detection of tick-borne diseases is KEY
STEP 5:
Testing Yourself
- If you believe you were infected, or have been infected in the past; there is only one accurate test on the market. Please do not waste your time with anything else.
- IF you do get tested by another test, Western Blot is a common one, and it is positive - that is a true positive.
- If if comes back negative, there is a chance that it is a false negative.
- This is why I encourage people to take the Igenex test linked below. It could save you many years of sickness.
OTHER KEY INFORMATION
- Over the next few days/weeks watch the tick bite area closely. Some people do have more severe reactions that include swelling and itchiness, and that doesn't necessarily mean a disease has been contracted.
- A bulls-eye rash is a tell tale, 100% positive indication of Lyme Disease. It is a very distinct rash, and different than circular swelling around the bite.
- It's important to remember that not all people who contract Lyme Disease will get the bulls-eye rash.
- Over the next few weeks, pay attention to flu-like symptoms: achiness, joint pain, fatigue, fever and chills. Lyme has a host of symptoms, so listen to your body and take note of any changes.
- Lyme Disease can live dormant in your body for years before it becomes symptomatic.
- Ticks carry many other diseases than just Lyme Disease. It is very common to get multiple infections at one time.
LINKS TO THE RESOURCES MENTIONED
I would appreciate you purchasing through these links below as I do receive a small commission from each purchase.
Tick Testing: Ticknology LLC
Lyme & Co-infection testing: Igenex