Proper Way to Remove a Tick

I am about to share with you a true and shameful story. Let's just say it is a "what never to do" story.

Not long ago I was getting ready and noticed my armpit itched. Not only did it itch, but it also felt like there was a slight bump. So I raised my arm high to the sky to take a look and noticed the area was brown. I immediately thought, "oh a new freckle or mole has formed," so I went to the mirror to get a close up. It wasn't a mole or a freckle at all; it was a nymph, otherwise known as a small tick. The kind you SHOULD be afraid of!! How could this be? I had just taken a shower! Ticks come off in the shower right?? NO, NO, NO!  Then I proceeded to use my finger nails to pull the tick off and I flushed it down the toilet.

You maybe thinking this story sounds familiar to one of your own, and wondering what is so embarrassing about it because that is what anyone would do. As a person who had been diagnosed with a tick borne disease and suffered substantially, I should and do know better.

1st Bathing after being outdoors will not remove ticks. You might have a better chance of finding them,       but they don't come off just because you bathed.
2nd Ticks should NEVER EVER be removed with your finger nails.
3rd Save your ticks by putting them in a zipper bag and freezing them. DO NOT flush them down the toilet.

Most likely this spring/summer you are going to come face to face with an attached tick either on you, someone you know, or your pet. Proper removal is imperative so please read and re-read the following information.

Identifying Ticks - 
photo from Center for Disease Control and Prevention

This diagram is just to give you an idea of what you are looking for and the variation in size. If you would like to view a more detailed list of ticks and information on the kinds go to TickEncounter Resource Center (I am constantly using this site because it has so much information).

Tool for Removing Ticks - Please do NOT use your finger nails! Pointed tweezers is what you need (not household tweezers because they increase the chance of tearing the body). I highly suggest you purchase a pair for at home and a pair to go on your key ring or easily take hiking. You can pick them up at most pharmacies or beauty departments of local stores such as Target and Walmart. To save you the hassle here is a link to buy a pair of Sally Hanson Tweezers. Finding the key chain pointy tweezers may be more difficult so here is a link for Uncle Bill's Silver Gripper Key Chain Tweezers.

Removing the Tick- When you go to remove a tick clean the area with rubbing alcohol, take your pointy tweezers and grab the tick as close to the tick's head or your skin as possible. Use a slow and steady motion to pull straight up and out. DO NOT TWIST!!!  Wipe area with rubbing alcohol again. Place the tick in a plastic zipper bag and freeze. You will want to keep the tick in case you begin to experience symptoms. If you think the tick has been on your body for at least 36 hours watch closely for symptoms and be prepared to visit your doctor. Watch this video to see how proper tick removal is done.

**Do't forget that Tick Prevention is essential!

***Pets need to be checked thoroughly for ticks and protected as well. Please check with your local vet about protecting your pet and look into purchasing a pet tick remover.

Tick Prevention: How Not to Become a Tick's Feast

We are currently at the height of tick season, late spring through summer. I have been wanting to write about tick prevention for the past several weeks because so many of my friends keep reporting findings of ticks on their bodies.

YIKES!!

Those arachnids are lurking in the brush and tall grasses waiting to ambush you, their host. You can often find them within 3 feet of the ground and beware because they do not jump, fall or fly. Instead they wait for you to brush by the vegetation they are on, and then they gently crawl around on your body till they find a nice spot to latch on to such as your head, neck, underarms or groin and enjoy your blood.

Sounds HORRIFIC!!!!

It doesn't have to be. Use the tips from Tick Prevention 101 you can go into the battle zone prepared to keep your blood safe from becoming the predator's next feast.

Tick Prevention 101

1.  What to Wear -  Wear light colored clothing so that you can better see dark colored ticks. Tuck your pants into your socks making it more difficult for the tick to reach your skin.

2.  Sprays -  Permethrin & DEET
Permethrin is found to be most effective in protecting/killing ticks.  It is derived from a chemical found in the chrysanthemum family of plants. It should NOT be applied to the skin. Permethrin is more difficult to find than DEET so here is a link to purchase it on Amazon.

If you are going camping in the woods then you should really consider soaking the clothing items you will be wearing in Permethrin. You can find some helpful videos on treating your clothing at TickEncounter Resource Center.

DEET is the spray that we most commonly hear about and use. Although it does not kill ticks on contact, it is relatively safe for spraying on the skin - (let's face it you won't want to wear pants tucked into your socks in 100 degree weather, plus it is such a fashion phopa).
The LymeNet Europe offers a list of pros and cons of using Permethrin and DEET

Pros and Cons:

• DEET needs to be applied regularly and can only work as it is evaporating. Permethrin works for weeks after it has dried inside clothing fibers.
• DEET is applied directly to the skin and can be absorbed through the skin. Permethrin is applied to clothing only and has limited contact to the skin.
• DEET has a detectable odor. Permethrin smells only until it dries.
• DEET does not kill or disable ticks and is a poor repellent. Permethrin works instantly and is extremely effective. It is the tick repellent of choice by the military.
• DEET can melt synthetic clothes like nylon. Permethrin causes no damage to any known cloth or synthetic fiber.
• DEET products are easy to find. Permethrin is hard to find and more expensive.
• DEET is an effective fish repellent.  (Permethrin is actually known to be very toxic to fish!)

3. Essential Oils - When you use Essential Oils as a repellent you will want to combine 2TBL of a carrier oil such as Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil, or Sweet Almond Oil  with about 20 drops of your essential oil. Currently, I am using TerraShield by doTerra. However, after doing more research I am also interested in Rose Geranium by Eden's Garden.  An interesting blog was written on "Primally Inspired" about using Rose Geranium as a tick repellent; it's worth reading.

I imagine there are more ways to prevent falling prey to the 8 legged enemy, but these are the one's I believe are most practical. Plus, I have to hurry. Many of you have already been attacked and need to know about proper removal. Stay tuned for "Proper Tic Removal."

Alternative Treatment Plan

Over the past year I have been treated for Lyme Borreliosis primarily with antibiotics. There is so much information and controversy over treating Lyme with antibiotics; I will need to write a separate post for this. What I found is that IV antibiotics helped in getting the Lyme "under control" for me. They made life livable, but they do not kill the Lyme.

For about 4 months after finishing my antibiotics I felt pretty good and had very limited symptoms. When I did have symptoms, I could rebound fairly quickly. At the beginning of the year I started to exercise, something I had not been able to do for months! I began to do hot yoga with infrared heat see previous post for more information. Then I started regressing. My neurological symptoms began to increase and it started taking me several days to regain strength and never quite fully gained.

I knew that I did not want to go back on antibiotics if at all possible. My gut was torn up and I didn't think my stomach could handle much more. Finally, I spoke with a doctor who has a holistic Lyme treatment approach.

I am so blessed to have an aunt, Laura Belg-Adams, who is a Certified Microscopist and has started me on essential oils. She has given so many of my oils and supplements just because she is awesome. Essential Oils and their healing properties have been used for centuries and are written about in the bible.

Last week I visited a Chinese Herb Specialist whom my doctor told me I needed to see. She has started me on a protocol she follows using various Chinese Herbs. An important note here is various. Lyme is sneaky and hides. This is why it is important to treat with one herb and then change it up and treat with another. The Specialist also recommended that I start an essential oil Lyme Therapy by doTerra. It calls for 3 drops each in an empty gel capsule: Oregano, Clove, Thyme, Cassia, and Melissa. These should be taken twice a day for a minimum of 10-14 days and recommended to continue for 2 months after symptoms have subsided.
**Please note it is very important to use Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG) oils when taking orally!!!


Essential Oils and Chinese Herbs aren't the only things that are apart of the alternative treatments I am doing. My doctor also wanted me to start treatments on with a machine called ONDAMED. This is a machine that helps diagnosis what is going on in your body by reading its electromagnetic waves. Here is a video about how it works (it will explain much better than me)!

I am also taking vitamins that I was low in, fish oil, and probiotics. Please know that I had all of these things approved by a doctor who did lots of testing on me and made sure nothing would interact with my current medications. I feel strongly this is VERY important (even the oils) if you are on any other medications. Count on me to let you know how I progress as my treatments continue.

Lyme and Exercise

I love hot yoga. I stretch my body and focus my mind all in presence of infrared heat. Oh, so nice. Until later. Detox time. My body is so toxic that when I induce sweating and raising my body's internal temperature, I end up "herxing." Herxing, short for Jarisch-Herxheimer, is not a bad thing, but it is difficult to endure. It often occurs with large doses of antibiotics, but I have found that it occurs with alternative treatments as well. Basically what happens is the dead bacteria release their toxins into the blood and tissues. This provokes an inflammatory response that is exaggerated.

Recently I have had such intense regression that Hot Yoga has not been something my body can handle. However, just laying in the infrared heat can be beneficial.

"Sweating in the infrared sauna flushes fat-soluble toxins (including heavy metals) out of the body via the skin. This detoxification which occurs at the lower heat available in infrared saunas assists the immune system and the healing process while increasing circulation, invigorating the body and allowing the meds to reach all parts of the body in a more efficient manner. Infrared sauna therapy also relaxes the muscles and joints, giving the patient some relief from their pain."
 -Quote from Sunlighten

In addition to infrared heat, exercise is very important for Lyme sufferers. This may sound impossible to you as it often does to me. When you can barely move or get yourself out of bed due to pain and discomfort, exercise is the last thing on your mind. However, according to Dr. Raj Patel

"Exercise offers many benefits in the treatment of Chronic Lyme disease.  The treatment of Lyme and its co-infections (regardless of the modality used i.e. antibiotics, herbs, rife, etc.) results in a significant load of toxic byproducts in the tissues and lymphatic system.  These byproducts include remnants of dead bacteria as well as the heavy metals and chemicals being released as the Lyme load is reduced.  The body mounts an inflammatory immune response to these bacterial remnants which is responsible for the well known "Herxheimier's reaction."  Exercise, through increased circulation and lymphatic drainage, enables the body to more quickly and efficiently rid itself of these substances, and thereby reduce the length and intensity of the herx reactions.

Another potential benefit of exercise, when done correctly, is that it can raise your core body temperature, and thereby aid in eradicating these infections.  We know from research that borrelia, the Lyme bacteria, thrives in certain areas of the body like the sinuses, collagen tissue underneath the skin, and joints and ligaments due to their scarce blood flow and lower temperature.  Proper exercise enables one to raise his core body temperature for a sustained period of time."

I have found Dr. Patel's evaluation of Lyme and Exercise to be an accurate assessment for me. When I am having a "good day" I have been walking on a treadmill at a very slow pace and then sitting in a sauna. Shortly following my workout I will take a nap for a couple of hours. Even with this simple exercise plan my body will herx and I may not be able to exercise again for several days.

I encourage you to find an infrared sauna or hot yoga place and utilize the benefits of infrared heat. If you are unable to do yoga, just remain in child's pose and let your body detox as the heat penetrates your body. Drink loads of filtered water and take a warm shower afterwards. REST IS ESSENTIAL. Do not choose a time to exercise or sauna when you have errands or work directly after. You must allow your body to rest in order to lessen your herx.

To learn more read Dr. Wilson's information on Parasympathetic Healing

The Fierce Warriors

As I was itching my first tic bite of the year I thought about writing a post entitled "I Hate Tics." Considering I live with Lyme Borreliosis, I could give a thousand reasons for hating tics. Then it occurred to me that there is something I  respect about tics; they are Fierce Warriors.
They are...
Terrific Hiders - They like to hide in dark, warm places of your body such as your armpit, head, or crotch. If you start itching you better make sure you haven't been attacked.
They have...
Ruthless Weapons - Once they bite you they can fill your blood stream with all sorts of bacteria. If you are infected you will feel fatigue and other flu like symptoms.
They don't die easy...
Wounded but not Dead - You may think you have removed the tic but, indeed if you did not use the proper tool their head may still be stuck inside your body. In which case they can still infect your blood.
Just when you think the battle is over...
Leaving Their Mark - If you have been infected by a tic carrying Lyme and you don't catch the symptoms in time you may end up with symptoms that are difficult to diagnosis, treat, and in some cases re-appear. 

In the Wilderness While the Storm Rages

 I just need to get this out there...Regression SUCKS!! I hate it, hate it, hate it. Right now I am trying to write this post and it is hard to even keep my head up straight. I have been sick off and on for the past month; I don't know why. This week has been very bad. Shaking, major pain in the bone behind my ears. Hard to walk. Lots of the old symptoms are back. I have felt like screaming and yesterday actually put the pillow over my head and let out a few yells.

I keep asking myself, "How can I thank God for this disease(s)?" Yes, diseases plural because this week I found out I have Celiac. Well, I actually was thankful to find this out because it was one more piece to the puzzle. So, I have been telling God that I am having a difficult time saying thank you for where I am at right now. Then, I am reminded that I am in the wilderness with a raging storm. When I am in the "wilderness" the main thing I am thankful for is to know that I am being made stronger in character. That God is moving and molding my life and that it will effect others.

There was a really amazing sermon preached a while back by Keith Simon entitled Living in the Wilderness . I can't tell you how much this sermon has helped me. Honestly, I am not going to try to explain it because you really need to hear it. Really! It doesn't matter if you are sick or healthy this sermon will impact your life at some point, in some way, and you will be able to go back to God's word and remember that he knows right where you are at and is in control.

One more thing that I want to share that has been a real comfort to me for quite a few years now, during other storms in my life is a song by Casting Crowns entitled "Praise You in this Storm." No matter what our circumstance we can praise God, because no matter how awful we feel or how desperate our situation, or how much we just want to disappear, WE ARE NOT ALONE.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Lyme vary somewhat depending on the individual and how the Lyme is affecting their body. In an earlier post I shared a little about the beginning symptoms I had; in this post I want to go into greater detail so that you will have a better idea of what can happen the longer you go undiagnosed.

FATIGUE - MAJOR FATIGUE
I have always loved sleeping and I am a mama of three so an amount of fatigue and sleep deprivation is expected, but not like what I felt. I had hardly any energy and felt like sleeping a lot.

MUSCLE PAIN
The muscle pain I experienced was a deep pain mainly in my arms and legs. The pain was pretty much constant and got worse the longer I went untreated.

TREMORS
The tremors I experienced were primarily in my right leg. My leg has had small tremors throughout the years whenever my back would be in pain, but they usually were brief and could be settled with some stretching or rest. The tremors that accompanied the Lyme would last a long time. As time went on the tremors moved into my entire body.

FACIAL PALSY
This is a picture of what the facial palsy looked like for me. I could not keep my face from what felt like a strong force of gravity pulling it down on one side.

NEUROPATHY
Mainly experienced in my arms and back. Wearing clothes was uncomfortable and even the lightest touches would cause a "knee-jerk reaction" to pull away. This also included tingling in my hands at times.

DIZZY & EYES ROLLING BACK
Felt like my head was spinning around causing it very hard to hold my head up. This was often accompanied by my eyes rolling back in my head. First my eyes would blink uncontrollably and then roll back.

UNABLE TO WALK
It's very difficult to walk when you feel off balance. My body would shift to one side making it nearly impossible to stand straight up. A cane became my best friend!

STUTTERING/LOSS OF SPEECH
My speech at times, not always, would become slurred, slow and I would begin to stutter. It was very difficult to get words out. I could almost see them in my mind and yet I could not speak them.

BRAIN FOG
Very difficult to think clearly. Had a hard time formulating or expressing my thoughts.

BURNING FEET
When I was at my worse my feet felt like they were on fire.