- Bull’s eye rash
- Headache
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Other flu-like symptoms
- Lingering pain
- Body inflammation
- Heart palpitations
- Various neurological problems
- Brain & nervous system infection
However, sometimes, you may not even know that you are affected by lyme’s disease until it’s too late. Symptoms may wait into months or maybe years later to develop, thus it can be mistaken for other illnesses or misdiagnosed.
So, it’s best to prevent it from happening.
5 Precautionary Actions To Lower The Risk Of Having A Tick Latch Onto You:
- Cover up by wearing long sleeves and pants
- Opt for full feet protection with shoes instead of flip flops or sandals
- Wear long socks to protect your ankles
- Apply tick repellent
- Shower and change a set of clothes after hiking
However, if by chance, you unfortunately encounter a tick and it has bestowed its attachment to you, here are five steps & practical tips.
5 Steps After A Tick Latched on:
- Time is ticking (Tip: remove as soon as possible)
- Grasp the tick close to the skin’s surface & remove the whole tick body (Tip: use tweezers)
- Clean the area (Tip: soap & water or alcohol)
- Observe & monitor (Tip: make notes of what you are feeling)
- Contact your primary care doctor (Tip: as soon as possible)
As an avid hiker, I try to avoid these seemingly harmless insects at all costs. However, I am not always so lucky. And, I have seen and treated many tick-debilitating cases. In these cases, here are five ways Chinese medicine can help dealing with ticks and Lyme disease:
5 Ways How Acupuncture Can Help Dealing With Lyme Disease
- Reduce the tick symptoms
- Calm down the nervous and immune system
- Detoxify the body
- Help clear the inflammation
- Support, nourish, and strengthen the immune system
In the meantime, enjoy nature and surround yourself in all of its beauty.
References:
CDC. “Chronic Symptoms and Lyme Disease.” Lyme Disease, 11 June 2024, www.cdc.gov/lyme/signs-symptoms/chronic-symptoms-and-lyme-disease.html.
CDC. “Tickborne Disease Surveillance Data Summary.” Ticks, 4 June 2024, www.cdc.gov/ticks/data-research/facts-stats/tickborne-disease-surveillance-data-summary.html.