As we head into the outdoor season, be aware that tick activity is significantly worse this year then previous ones. Emergency room visits for tick bites are already at some of the highest levels seen since 2017, according to CDC tracking data.

Why Are Ticks More Prevalent This Year?

Several environmental factors have created ideal conditions for ticks to thrive:

• Milder winters allowed more ticks to survive into spring
• Early warm temperatures caused ticks to emerge sooner than usual
• Increased rainfall and humidity created perfect breeding conditions
• Expanding deer and rodent populations are helping spread ticks into more neighborhoods and outdoor spaces
• Tick season is lasting longer and spreading into new regions across the U.S.

Experts are also seeing increases in tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and even Alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-related red meat allergy.

These tick borne illnesses come from bacterium that live on the ticks and are transmitted through the tick bite. Many can manifest symptoms years after the bite.

Where Ticks Are Commonly Found

Ticks are no longer limited to deep forests or hiking trails. They are now commonly found in:

• Backyard
• Parks
• Gardens
• Tall grass
• Golf courses
• Pet fur
• Leaf piles and landscaping

Even short periods outdoors can lead to exposure.

Tick Bite Prevention Tips

Before Going Outdoors

• Wear light-colored clothing to help spot ticks
• Use EPA-approved insect repellents this includes Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil spray
• Wear long sleeves and tuck pants into socks in grassy or wooded areas
• Use veterinarian-recommended tick prevention for pets

After Being Outdoors

• Perform a full-body tick check
• Check children carefully around the scalp, ears, waistline, and behind the knees
• Shower within 2 hours of coming indoors
• Wash and dry clothing on high heat
• Inspect pets before they come inside

How to Remove a Tick Safely - Do not use heat!

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers
2. Grasp the tick close to the skin
3. Pull upward steadily without twisting
4. Clean the area thoroughly with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Cleanse with hyrdogen peroxide if possible. (We also recommend a compounded formula DEAG to be applied topically to our patients. This contains DMSO, Echinacea, Goldenseal, and Argentyn and is a formula that we use as a part of our protocols for infections. This is applied afterwards typically twice a day for several days.)
5. Save the tick in a sealed bag or container The tick can be sent off to the lab for lyme disease (Borrelia) testing if desired. Other infectious organisms may be also present.

If the bite occurred in an area where Lyme disease is present and the tick has been on for likely more than 24 hours or is engorged when removed, a preventative single dose of Doxycycline antibiotic may be prescribed
by your doctor.

Symptoms to Watch for at the Site of the Bite

Symptoms may appear days or even weeks after a bite and can include:

• Rash or “bullseye” rash
• Fever or chills
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Muscle or joint pain
• Brain fog
• Dizziness or unusual weakness

Early Awareness Matters

The earlier tick-borne illnesses are recognized, the better the outcome. If you or your family experience symptoms after outdoor exposure or a tick bite, call our office to schedule an appointment. Early prevention and treatments lead to the best outcome.

For Patients of the Portland Clinic of Holistic Health after a tick bite we advise:
Remove the tick as described above and retain for testing.
Contact the clinic right away to talk to a doctor- we will consider whether a Doxycycline prescription is appropriate, we will advise for Bio-Thermal Therapy (R) treatment as soon as possible to boost immune function and lymphatic drainage, and discuss if Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation treatment or Ozone therapy, or
other interventions should be considered preventively.

Enjoy the outdoors safely this season — awareness, prevention, and early action are your best protection.