July 25, 2025

What To Do If You Suspect Tick-Related Illnesses

For many of us, summer is the season we spend the most time outdoors, either playing in the yard, walking through the woods, gardening, or mowing our lawns. While most of us take precautions against sun damage during the summer months, we often overlook the fact that we must also take precautions against bugs, especially ticks, during the warmer months. While they may seem small and harmless, ticks carry diseases that, if left unaddressed, can lead to chronic and severe illnesses often accompanied by debilitating symptoms. These symptoms usually overlap with many other illnesses and can be challenging to detect and diagnose, which is why Lyme disease is frequently referred to as ‘The Great Imitator’. 

While Lyme Disease is the most well-known and most commonly acquired tick-borne illness in the United States, it is important to note that there are other tick-borne illnesses or co-infections, some of which include Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Babesiosis. 

 

Initial Signs and Symptoms

While tick-borne illnesses can manifest differently in different patients, some of the most common initial symptoms include fevers, joint pains, muscle aches, fatigue, and rashes. These symptoms can typically occur anywhere from 1-28 days after the tick bite, so it is essential to continue monitoring for any possible signs or symptoms for a few weeks after each bite. 

It is important to note that only 20-30% of patients experience the classic ‘bulls-eye rash’, or erythema migrans, so it is not safe to assume that you are disease-free simply based on the absence of the rash. 

 

Late Signs and Symptoms

If not detected and managed appropriately, many tick-borne illnesses, including Lyme Disease, can manifest into chronic illness. Late-stage Lyme disease is often not detected until months after the initial infection. It is common for the initial tick bite to go unnoticed. Since tick-borne illnesses mimic other illnesses, it can delay testing and diagnosis significantly, resulting in many symptoms. At this late stage, it is common to experience cognitive changes, mood changes, anxiety, depression, muscle pains, and joint pains. 

 

Prevention

Here are a few tips to help ensure you are protecting yourself and your family outdoors:

  • Wear long pants that you can tuck into long socks, as this can help prevent tick bites by reducing the amount of surface area available for the ticks to attach
  • Use a lint roller on your clothes as soon as you come inside, as this may help remove ticks from your clothes
  • It is important to check yourself frequently outside to ensure that there are no ticks on your clothes or skin. Check yourself as thoroughly as possible, at least every hour, while outside. You should recheck yourself as soon as you are indoors, remembering to check everywhere (especially in all creases, folds, and on your scalp). If you have a partner or children at home, ensure everyone is checked thoroughly – and don’t forget about checking the pets! 
    • If you are the designated tick-checker in your home, consider training another person to check for ticks properly so that they can provide you with a thorough check to ensure you did not miss any hard-to-see spots on yourself!
  • If you live in an endemic area, consider purchasing repellants to reduce your risk of exposure, but use caution, as some of the products can be harmful with prolonged or excessive usage.

 

Naturopathic Approach to Tick-Borne Illnesses 

While many think the best approach is to tackle tick-borne pathogens immediately with a specific antimicrobial protocol, it is crucial to consider each individual’s specific needs. We will take the time to listen to your story and your symptoms and help determine what additional support is needed. 

To increase the chances of recovery and improve healing capacity, we must establish proper foundations of health before initiating any antimicrobial therapies. Supporting the nervous system, establishing a healthy circadian rhythm and sleep routine, and working on digestive health are just a few examples of support that should be initiated before any tick-borne illness protocols are established. If someone has impaired Phase 1 or Phase 2 detox pathways, these must also be addressed to ensure that the body can eliminate effectively; otherwise, the system may become overwhelmed, resulting in worsening of symptoms. 

If you have recently experienced a tick bite, have chronic Lyme Disease or another tick-borne illness, or if you live in an endemic area and want to learn more about prevention and support, you can fill out a form here to request an appointment online, or give us a call at 804-977-2634

Read More: https://richmondnaturalmed.com/a-naturopathic-perspective-on-lyme-disease/ 

 

References:

https://www.ilads.org/patient-care/ilads-treatment-guidelines/