Re: A- tick bite

[Guest guest]

Hi Alia and all - Forgive me if this is repeating anything, or telling you something you already know.You didn't say where you were planning on sending the tick - but UMASS has a good program where they test the tick for Lyme as well as anaplasmosis and babesia - they use a PCR test so it's pretty reliable.  They have a form you can down load and fill out to send with the tick.   

http://extension.umass.edu/agriculture/index.php/services/tick-borne-disease-diagnostics - for Umass

Or you can send it to IgenX in CA http://igenex.com  - longer turn around time, but more experience with the test.  Their form is a little harder to find on the website, but it's there.  Look under Forms and Sample Requirements - then it's under Test Request Forms.  These guys are good.

Some questions for you - 1.   What kind of tick?2.  How long was it in him?  12-24 hrs reduces likelihood of transmission3.  The red ring around the bite is most likely irritation from being bitten and not the tell-tale Bulls eye rash.  Don't wait for the rash, but know it may not show up for a couple weeks - if at all.  <40% get the rash.

4.  Mark the calender the day you removed the tick - this helps with remembering details later (remember symptoms often don't show for 2-4 weeks)5.  Photograph the site or circle it to watch for any changes in the skin.

6.  The redness from the bite will fade, a bulls eye (Erythema Migrans - aka EM) will expand before it fades.You cannot test a person until 2+ weeks have passed as you won't have measurable anti-bodies until then.

Prophylactically - some folks like a homeopathic Lyme nosode (Professional Complementary Health Formulas I believe) while they wait.  Otherwise look at http://www.sinomedresearch.org/  This is Dr Zhang's website and has fast delivery of some great herbs to treat Lyme.  I think Anne 's put his protocol on the UNDA listserve  database.  If you go the way of the garlic you will stink - yes, you will.

Acupuncture - I prescribe this for everyone w Lyme or worried about a bite.  I am not an acupuncturist - but I believe it is a vital piece to treating this bug.Try not to worry - you have done the right thing by removing it carefully (not trying to burn it off - really), and saving the tick.  If you have any questions please email or call me directly if you like.

Willette RN NDHadley, MA - just down the road from you

 

A-L drops by Bryon White (Bioresources carries it)- 3 drops 2x/day.  We just found one on our son, and this is what our naturopathic lyme specialist doc recommended while we wait for the test results (he has no other symptoms at this point however).

Best of luck,Ausha Barton, L.Ac., M.Ac.

This is a personal matter but it is also good to know.  I don't deal much Lyme's although i should, being in this area.  I just pulled a tick out of my husband's torso.  I got the whole thing out and saved it.  The tick's head was really in there.  He had to have gotten it this morning at a park.  There was already a bright red area around the tick bite.  

Besides sending the tick in, is there anything that can be done early on?   Lyme's is like an epidemic here, everyone i know is pulling them out of their kids and relatives and dogs.  yuck.  Alia Elias, ND, LAc.

Newburyport, MA