Effective Tick Removal + Lyme Prevention: What You Should Know

I am very pleased to announce that my new course, Foundations Of Herbal Medicine For Lyme Disease: The Art and Science of Using Medicinal Herbs for Healing Lyme and Chronic Illness Naturally, is now available.

Whether you’re new to herbal medicine and Lyme, or familiar with the use of medicinal herbs, this two-part course helps make sense of some of the basic and intermediate concepts involved in Lyme disease, and introduces the art of using herbal medicine in the context of self-treatment.

Access the course here.

What Lyme Represents

Lyme disease is commonly, but not exclusively, transmitted through the bite of a tick. The bacteria that cause Lyme disease is known as Borrelia Burgdorferi.

As of 2016, there have been twenty-one unique species within the Borrelia genus identified that are known to cause infection in humans. However, when someone refers to Lyme disease, they are usually referring to B. Burgdorferi, as it is the most common of the infectious group of Borrelia. It is more accurate, however, to think of Lyme disease as a group of arthropod-transmitted stealth infections.

Infection with B. Burgdorferi doesn’t necessarily preclude the possibility of infection with other species of Borrelia, such as B. Garinii, or other infectious diseases transmitted through tick bites. These other infections are known as Lyme Co-Infections, such as Bartonella, Babesia, Rickettsia, Mycoplasma, and Ehrlichia - and they can be just as serious as Lyme. When referring to the whole cluster of these diseases, many people will simply call it the Lyme Disease Complex.

In previous articles, I have written about my own struggles with chronic Lyme, and how I successfully put it into remission. There are many thousands of others who have undertaken a similar odyssey. Some individuals' lives will change more considerably than mine has to accommodate living with Lyme. In lieu of good medical treatment and reliable testing, the Lyme complex is an on-going struggle for many.

Although the various infections within the Lyme complex cause many symptoms that are unique to that particular organism, many of the signs and symptoms of each disease overlap with one another, which makes it very difficult in identifying the causes of a symptom in the absence of firm data acquired through testing (the current tests that are recommended by the CDC are the ELISA and the PCR - which tests for DNA - and is notorious for causing false negatives).

However, it is possible to empirically identify a likely culprit based on symptom clusters that are unique to each disease. Elsewhere I have written about the symptom clusters unique to three tick-borne infections: Borrelia, Bartonella and Babesia.

Ticks and Lyme

Deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) are the main vectors of the Lyme complex, although transmission of infection is also known to be possible through mosquitos, biting flies and arthropods. The notion that Lyme disease is transmitted exclusively by deer ticks is simply not the case, although it is likely the most common form of transmission. Other species of ticks, such as Ixodes pacificus (Western deer tick), Amblyomma americanum (Lone star tick) and Dermacentor variabilis (Dog tick) can transmit illness as well, such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which is just as serious as Lyme, and can even be fatal. It’s not just deer ticks to worry about.

Lyme Infection

To oversimplify matters greatly, the process of Lyme infection through a tick-bite goes roughly like this: once an infected tick is attached, it will evacuate the contents of it’s gut into the bloodstream. Compounds in the tick saliva serve to down-regulate the host’s immune function, allowing the infectious organisms to bypass first-responder immune cells. In the case of Lyme, the bacteria will be able to move relatively uninterrupted into the niches of the body where they begin to feed and reproduce, whilst continuing to evade immunity through highly strategic maneuvers.

But doesn’t the tick have to be attached for 48 hours for it to transmit infection?

This is demonstrably false. UK researcher Michael Cook, for instance, discovered lab animals become infected through a tick bite with less than 24 hours of the initial attachment. It turns out that the rate of infection depends partially upon the type of tick (I. persulactis, for example, generally transmits infection about twice as fast as I. scapularis), as well as other factors, such as the spirochete load within the body. In addition, it is speculated that partially-fed ticks are more likely to transmit infection more quickly after they have taken a blood-meal from another host. During the reattachment to another host, the genomic alteration undergone by the spirochetes has already taken place and is more prepared to infect as soon as feeding begins. One other important factor to consider is this: the weaker the immune system of the host, the more likely the host is to become infected more quickly. The most important thing you can do to minimize infection is to strengthen your immune system.

Tick Life Cycle

Ixodes (tick) larvae can be infected as soon as they hatch, after they immediately begin questing for organisms to feed upon. They are as small as a pinprick; almost imperceptible. Regardless of age or size, Ixodes ticks can be highly infectious.

Soon after feeding to completion, the fully engorged larvae detach from their host and begin to molt (that is - alter into their next form stage of development into the nymph stage). On average, tick larvae molt for about 35 days, when they come “inactive”. Newly formed nymphs tend to hibernate during Winter. Some reports suggest that up to half of all nymphs within an endemic area are infected with spirochetes. Typically, they start off in May and reach their peak in August. Larger than larvae, the tick nymphs are about the size of the head of a pin. They will take a blood meal from pretty much anything. Feeding duration usually lasts between 3- 5 days, and usually feeds more than once before becoming fully engorged.

Once more, the tick nymphs will molt into their full adult form, emerging around October and November, questing for a meal. Adult ticks, moreover, prefer meals taken from larger mammals, such as buffalo, deer, coyotes, horses and humans. They feed longer than their previous forms - for up to 8 days. Once fully engorged, they will begin to overwinter and lay their eggs again in the Spring.

Like larvae and nymphs, adult ticks wil hitch a ride by climbing to the top of stalks of grass, while stretching out their upper legs, waiting for a passing animal to brush alongside it.

The Ecological Situation

The relatively recent explosion of tick populations among certain geographical regions in North America didn’t just happen out of nowhere. There is a deep ecological component, having much to do with the displacement and depopulation of large migrating mammals - the most significant among them being Bison and Buffalo. The result of mass human migration into these areas, as well as causal changes of climate variation on the global scale play a significant role, as well. As the larger migrating mammals continue to disappear, the continental dispersion of tick-populations across broad ecoranges become more localized to particular regions. Currently, large swaths of the North American East coast and Midwest are experiencing endemic overpopulation of infected tick species, but other regions are beginning to experience an explosion as well, such as parts of Texas and northern California.

Immune Prevention

The severity of infection is directly proportional to the strength of the host immune response. Keeping immunity robust is a key strategy of reducing the severity and persistence of tick-borne disease.

For example, taking Astragalus helps block the impediment of the complement immune system by keeping levels of IL-2 (a marker of inflammation) and IF-Gamma high. These specific cytokines are kept artificially low by compounds in the tick saliva that downregulate them, allowing the infectious bacteria to bypass the immunity. (Astragalus balances a healthy inflammation response. Remember, inflammation is a natural and healthy immune response. It is when inflammation becomes dysregulated that it becomes dangerous).

Other ways to keep immunity robust include reducing chronic stress, balancing your circadian rhythm, a good diet, routine physical activity and social engagement. Taking tonic medicinal herbs and mushrooms, such as Cordyceps, Reishi, Ashwagandha, Eleuthero and Rhodiola can help as well.

Tick Removal

It is commonly believed that one should simply remove an attached tick by pulling it out with a tweezer, or a similar tool. Unfortunately, this may lead to the detachment of the tick body, while leaving it’s jaw piece in place. Furthermore, this may cause the tick to eject it’s contents into the bloodstream, which includes pathogenic bacteria.

However, if all you have are tweezers, then use sharp-pointed tweezers, and make sure not to twist or jerk the tick body, as this will more likely leave it’s mouth pieces intact. Also be sure to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, and gently pull back very steadily.

The best tick removal device I have come across is a pronged device that is able to slide under the body of the tick and dislodge the body along with the jaw intact. The “tick key” is one such product, along with a “tick spoon” that you can make yourself.

Once removed, you can save the tick in a plastic bag and send it off to a lab to get it tested for infection here.

Do Not:

Burn or use any substance on a tick
Squeeze the tick body
Cover the tick with petroleum jelly, nail polish or soap in an attempt to suffocate it
Touch it with a hot match or lighter

These will more than likely cause the tick to burrow deeper into the skin and eject its contents into the bloodstream more readily.

After Removing The Tick

After safely removing the tick from the surface of the skin, herbalist Stephen Buhner recommends applying a poultice of bentonite clay moistened with Andrographis tincture. Apply a band-aid and let dry. Reapply several times daily. Keep a close eye on the area for any developing marks or rash. The absence of a rash doesn't exclude infection.

You may also take up to ½ tsp of Andrographis internally for the several weeks after the initial attachment for added support.

Additionally, it’s a good idea taking 3,000 mg of Astragalus daily to stimulate the immune first responder cells to any pathogenic invasion. If you live in an endemic area, it’s recommended to take Astragalus as part of your daily regime. Astragalus is a food-grade herb, used in soup stocks for thousands of years in China. It’s very safe to take, even in high doses.

Erythema Migrans Rash

The Erythema Migrans Rash (“EM Rash”), or classic “bulls-eye” rash, characteristic of Lyme infection, may appear at the site of the puncture wound of a tick bite. This rash is the best diagnostic tool to identify infection of Lyme (Borrelia), as it indicates the presence of infection. The rash appears in response to the inflammation that is present in response to the presence of bacteria. However, the absence of a rash does not exclude the possibility of infection. Up to a quarter of infected tick bites will not include an EM rash. It may appear 3 to 30 days after the bite, and may expand over time to about 12-inches in diameter. It does not always look like a bulls-eye. It may simply take the appearance of a reddened or pinkish mark.

Tick Repellent Recipe

Stephen Buhner, in the second edition of his book Healing Lyme (2016), recommends the following homemade tick repellent. He claims it is 99% effective against most species of ticks. I have used it myself, and I can attest to its effectiveness. The essential oils are relatively inexpensive (with the exception of Ledum, if you can find it), and will make many batches of spray.

Ingredients:

½ teaspoon EACH of the essential oils of the following:

1) Rhododendron tomentosum (formerly: Ledum palustre, aka Labrador tea, aka Marsh Rosemary)

2) Tagetes minuta

3) Chamaecyparis nootkatensi

4) Artemisia absinthium

5) Myrica gale (aka, bog myrtle)

6) Juniperus Virginia

7) Eucalyptus citriodora (aka, lemon eucalyptus)

8) Origanum majorana (aka, marjoram) Note: Origanum vulgare, aka oregano, will work, it is just not quite as strong. Hint: you are looking for the strongest carvacrol content.

Directions

Blend all into 8 ounces of 95% pure grain alcohol, then store in a bottle with a spritzer/spray attachment. Use liberally during tick season.

Sources

Cook MJ. Lyme borreliosis: a review of data on transmission time after tick attachment. Int J Gen Med. 2014;8:1-8. Published 2014 Dec 19. doi:10.2147/IJGM.S73791

Zhang X-C, Yang Z-N, Lu B, Ma X-F, Zhang C-X, Xu H-J. The composition and transmission of microbiome in hard tick, Ixodes persulcatus, during blood meal. Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2014;5(6):864–870

Drecktrah D, Samuels DS. Genetic Manipulation of Borrelia Spp. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 2018;415:113-140. doi:10.1007/82_2017_51

Iyer R, Caimano MJ, Luthra A, et al. Stage-specific global alterations in the transcriptomes of Lyme disease spirochetes during tick feeding and following mammalian host adaptation. Mol Microbiol. 2015;95(3):509-538. doi:10.1111/mmi.12882

Rudenko, N., Golovchenko, M., Kybicova, K. et al. Metamorphoses of Lyme disease spirochetes: phenomenon of Borrelia persisters. Parasites Vectors 12, 237 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-019-3495-7

Sonenshine DE. Range Expansion of Tick Disease Vectors in North America: Implications for Spread of Tick-Borne Disease. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(3):478. Published 2018 Mar 9. doi:10.3390/ijerph15030478

Hahn MB, Jarnevich CS, Monaghan AJ, Eisen RJ. Modeling the Geographic Distribution of Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Contiguous United States. J Med Entomol. 2016;53(5):1176-1191. doi:10.1093/jme/tjw076

Ostfeld RS, Brunner JL. Climate change and Ixodes tick-borne diseases of humans. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2015;370(1665):20140051. doi:10.1098/rstb.2014.0051

Brownstein JS, Holford TR, Fish D. Effect of Climate Change on Lyme Disease Risk in North America. Ecohealth. 2005;2(1):38-46. doi:10.1007/s10393-004-0139-x