Tick Bite Protocol
1. Remove the Tick
If the tick is attached to the skin (as close to the top of the head of the tick) tug gently but firmly straight upward with a blunt fine-tipped tweezer until it releases hold. Do not squeeze, crush or use heat or chemicals which can cause it to inject bacteria into your skin.
2. Save the Tick and Get it Tested
ANY TICK may carry Lyme and other infections which can cause chronic disease. When a tick is embedded in the skin, it is best to have it tested because the skin has been broken and acts as an infected needle. Save the tick (in a closed plastic bag best with a moist cotton ball) to send to a one of the following labs for testing.
When a tick is embedded in the skin when found, it is best to have it tested. There have been many reports of Lyme disease even after a very brief bite (which does make common sense, because it has broken the skin just like an infected needle).
UMASS LMZ labs (https://www.tickreport.com) offer 2 tests we recommend to our patients. The first tests for six bacterial species with a standard TickReport package for $50 per tick. The comprehensive TickReport (including all of the standard test results plus 10 other infectious diseases) is available for $200 per tick. The $200 test is especially worth the extra cost if the tick has been embedded in the skin for a long time. You will have your results within 3 business days.
IGeneX Labs (https://igenex.com) has an online tick testing for $75. Their site includes a form & instructions to be tested for Borrelia (Lyme disease) — More information on these companies (and why we recommend UMASS tests more) can be found on our excellforlife.com article: “Save Your Tick for Testing”!
3. Check for More Ticks
Make sure there are no more ticks on the person!
4. Wash the Bite Site
Wash the bite site and your hands with soap and water. Apply alcohol or other disinfectant.
5. Seek Treatment Right Away
Treatment can and should begin right away, even while the tick is being sent for testing.
Watch for bullseye rashes, fever, tremors, or other symptoms and report to your provider right away!
Excell for Life Family Care & Pediatrics offers many trained providers who know what to do to prevent and treat Lyme disease.
Lisa Miller, MD (board certified in Family Medicine, and 28 years in practice) HOPE Care provider
Brandy Manetta, NP (IFM Certified, experienced in Emergency Medicine) HOPE Care provider
Amy Nicley, NP (IFM certified, many years of Internal Medicine experience) HOPE Care provider
Nicci Wilhoite, NP (experienced in Geriatric Medicine, minor skin surgical procedures, training in IFM)
Kate Marciniec, NP (experience in Family Medicine, training in IFM)
www.excellforlife.com
1329 West 96th Street Indianapolis, IN 46256
317-660-0888, fax 317-660-0880
Other Immune Health Tips:
We always recommend keeping your immune system as healthy as possible from good sleep (read Dr. Lisa’s review about “Why We Sleep” by Matthew Walker, PhD). If you are having trouble getting good sleep read about our Natural Sleep Aids – Improve Sleep to Live Better & Longer!, and talk to your provider about which supplements would work best for you.
Here are a few of the supplements we have to offer Lyme patients and those wanting to protect and health the nervous system! We have Orthomega products (Omega 3’s for ALL PATIENTS to reduce inflammation and have a healthy heart and brain), Methyl CpG (because of the awesome methylation and DNA repair), and CoQ10 (to protect the brain and nervous system).
