LYME AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES PREVENTION & FIRST AID
By Alexis Chesney MS, ND, LAc
PREVENTING LYME AND OTHER TICK BORNE DISEASES
Over 300,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with Lyme disease every year. More than half of cases occur in children. I have seen patients of mine recover from Lyme disease only to receive another tick bite. As a result, I am passionate about tick bite prevention education I am happy to discuss highlights from my book Preventing Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases here in order to empower you to protect yourself and do your part to stop the Lyme disease epidemic.
To delve deeper into this subject, pick up a copy of Preventing Lyme which reviews the species of ticks that transmit diseases in North America and how to identify them; symptoms of tick-borne diseases; how to prevent tick bites; what to do if you get bitten by a tick; prophylactic herbal formulas to take after being bitten by a tick; treatment of acute tick-borne diseases Released by Storey Publishing, you may find a copy anywhere books are sold including online.
A starred Library Journal review of Preventing Lyme says, “Lyme disease, and the debilitating conditions associated with it, is difficult to detect and treat, which makes this book by naturopathic physician and acupuncturist Chesney especially important... Outdoor enthusiasts, parents, pet owners, and those interested in natural medicine will gain valuable practical advice from well-organized, wellwritten book.”
Learn more about the book here
For a personalized signed copy of the book, click here.
PERSONAL TICK BITE PREVENTION STRATEGIES
TICK CHECK
Tick season = temperature above 28F.
From Preventing Lyme & Other Tick-Borne Diseases by Alexis Chesney. Illustrator Beverly Duncan.
TICK SHIELD BY CEDARCIDE
Essential oils have been used for their natural ability to repel ticks. In 2022, a study showed that Juniperus ashei (Texas cedarwood oil) repellency was as effective as DEET against blacklegged (deer) tick nymphs. Tick Shield by Cedarcide is an excellent natural tick repellent. It is safe to spray on humans and dogs over 20 pounds. However, it is important to apply every one to two hours for maximum effect
Buy Tick Shield here
PERMETHRIN
Permethrin is a type of pyrethroid - an acaricide - which is a preparation that kills ticks. I highly recommend treating your own shoes and socks with permethrin Please take caution: permethrin is toxic to humans and pets when wet; it is safe to touch once dried. When you use permethrin yourself, you must reapply every six weeks - so put it on the calendar!
Watch a how-to video here
For professional treatment, you can send your clothes to Insect Shield. When commercially treated, it will last 70 washes. Wearing permethrin treated clothing will decrease the rate of tick bites by 99%.
Click here to send clothes to Insect Shield or buy permethrin
Subjects wearing permethrin-treated sneakers and socks were 73.6 times less likely to have a tick bite than subjects wearing untreated footwear.
Nathan J Miller, et al "Tick Bite Protection with PermethrinTreated Summer Weight Clothing" Journal of Medical Entomology 48, no. 2 (January 2011): 327-33.
HERBAL SUPPORT
I created a series of tick bite formulas, which are multi-herb tinctures with antimicrobial actions against the pathogens that may be carried by the particular tick they are named after. For example, the Deer Tick Bite Formula has cat's claw, Japanese knotweed, cryptolepis and houttuynia, and is designed to be taken as a prophylaxis in the case of a blacklegged deer tick bite There are two ways to utilize the formula. If you are at high risk for a tick bite, Deer Tick Bite Formula is taken at ½ teaspoon in water 30 min before breakfast, lunch and dinner daily during possible tick exposure. Deer Tick Bite Formula may be taken at 1 teaspoon three times daily for one month after you receive a tick bite. Note: dosage is for adult weight.
You may substitute the appropriate formula for the type of tick in your geographical area. Please note that known side effects, drug interactions and contraindications of the herbs are noted in Preventing Lyme and Other TickBorne Diseases. Consult with a health care provider before starting any natural protocol
Find tick bite formulas at Blue Crow Botanicals or at LymeCore Botanicals
TICK CONTROL AROUND YOUR HOME
REDUCING TICK HABITAT AROUND YOUR HOME
From Preventing Lyme & Other Tick-Borne Diseases by Alexis Chesney. Illustrator Beverly Duncan.
TICK TUBES
Peromyscus leucopus, or the white footed mouse, infects 75 - 95% of larval blacklegged ticks that feed on them. Tick tubes are an excellent way to target ticks in areas where mice nest. Place tubes with permethrin treated cotton inside for mice to bring back to their nests. The permethrin will kill the ticks on the mice. Place 6 tubes per 1/8 acre of mouse habitat. Research shows that using tick tubes decreases a person's exposure to infected ticks by 93%.
You can purchase tick tubes or make them yourself Go to www ticktubes com or here to buy permethrin-treated tick tubes to kill ticks on mice.
Watch how to make tick tubes here
From Preventing Lyme & Other Tick-Borne Diseases by Alexis Chesney. Illustrator Beverly Duncan.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET A TICK BITE
STEP 1: Immediately Remove and Identify the Tick
Use an O’Tom Tick Twister to remove tick. Save tick and mark date on the calendar. Identify the tick.
STEP 2: Apply First Aid
Put andrographis or tick bite formula on the bite. If you do not have these, use alcohol or peroxide.
STEP 3: Have the Tick Tested for Pathogens
Go to www tickreport com Send your tick to be identified and tested for pathogens. There are 3 pricing tiers for testing. The first tier includes testing for DNA of the most common tick-borne diseases tailored to the type of tick you send (ie, for a blacklegged deer tick: Borrelia general species, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Borrelia miyamotoi, Borrelia mayonii, Babesia microti, Ehrlichia muris-like agent, Anaplasma phagocytophilum.) Receive results via email within one week.
STEP 4: Begin the Herbal Prophylactic Protocol
Deer Tick Bite Formula: 1 teaspoon in water 30 minutes before breakfast, lunch and dinner (dosage is for adult weight). You may substitute with appropriate formula per type of tick bite you received
STEP 5: Watch for Symptoms
Watch for symptoms especially over the next 30 days after a tick bite: “bull’s eye” or other rash around tick bite, fever, flu-like symptoms, joint pain or swelling, muscle pain, headaches, neck pain, facial palsy, lymph node swelling, palpitations, night sweats, air hunger or non-exertional shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, cough, sore throat, confusion, disorientation, difficulty breathing or speaking, loss of coordination, seizures, lethargy, paralysis, body rash
If you develop symptoms, you are no longer treating an asymptomatic tick bite It is essential to make an appointment with a tick-borne disease literate practitioner, go to the ER or urgent care. You may have active tick-borne disease which requires further evaluation and treatment.
STEP 6: Get Tested (Maybe)
THE TICK PREPAREDNESS KIT
As described in Preventing Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases, this one-of-akind first aid kit includes:
Tick Twister by O'Tom
Small ziplock bag
Andrographis tincture
Homeopathic Ledum palustre 30C
Homeopathic Apis mellifica 30C
Deer Tick Bite Formula
Have a kit on hand in case of a tick bite!
Purchase a Tick Preparedness Kit Here
Watch this video to see Dr. Chesney explain more
CLOSING
Thank you for choosing to educate yourself about how to prevent tick-borne disease. I reviewed the top tick bite prevention strategies, herbal prophylaxis with tick bite formulas and what to do if you get a tick bite. To learn more about other important topics like tick identification and acute tick-borne disease treatment, please check out the book!
My mission is to end tick-borne disease through prevention of tick bites. My hope is that you enjoy living tick-free and empower others to do the same!
In health,
Alexis Chesney
Alexis Chesney MS, ND, LAc www.DrAlexisChesney.com
