Lyme Prevention

The best way for the prevention of Lyme disease is by avoiding tick infested areas such as trees and high grass unless a person uses a spray generously that keeps ticks off such as DEET. People can also use the pesticide Permethrin on their clothes which last for two to six weeks even if they wash their clothes. The pesticide Picaridin is effective at repelling ticks which Skin So Soft Mosquito Flea and Deer Tick repellent uses. Mountain Mint as a natural repellent may repel ticks which can be used daily, but the studies are not out yet determining how effective this natural repellent is.

What to wear outside

• light clothes
• clothes made with tight material like cotton
• long sleeved shirts
• pants
• long socks (can tuck socks over pants)
• hat

Once return from outside

• Inspect body and look for ticks.
• Check any pets for ticks if you have any (you can use Frontline chemicals to kill ticks).
• Do not let pets in your sleeping quarters (ticks can fall off and move to your bed).
• Wash and dry your clothes immediately if you suspect you have had contact with ticks.

How to search your body for ticks

• Ticks can be the size of this period . which means people need to search hard for anything foreign on their bodies. (Memorizing the details on your body will be helpful)
• Having another person check hard to see areas for ticks is important, but using a mirror can also be helpful.
• Hair may make it hard to see ticks which means a person may want to shave their body if they are frequently in contact with ticks
• Ticks like settling in warmer areas of the body. They like living between the toes, between folds of skin, under breasts or under testicles of males, between fingers, behind ears, etc. Make sure your daily tick checks include these areas. 

If you find a tick

• Use tweezers near the head of the tick as close to the skin as possible, keep holding and pull gently until the tick lets go (may take minutes).
• Pull straight up.
• Apply antiseptic solution to wound,
• Consider visiting a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor.
• Keep the tick alive, and send it in to be tested by putting it in a ziplock bag, or a container. Igenex is a good lab to test ticks. [1]

Tick infestations
Vacant houses can be a breeding ground for ticks. Since ticks are attracted to carbon dioxide, set up a dry ice block in each suspected room to have ticks on a cardboard box with tape around it with the sticky side up. Dry ice releases carbon dioxide in the middle of the room and check to see if ticks are present the next day on the tape. Open field houses can also be a breeding ground for rats or mice which will bring ticks along with themselves. Consider using rat or mice traps such as Damminix tubes [2]

Lawn care
By having a clean yard by removing leaves, keeping the grass short, reduce/remove lawn ornaments, and keep tree branches cut, this may reduce the amount of ticks on your property. Ticks like wet environments so a person that waters their lawn weekly can also be inviting tick guests to move in.

Immune System
The best way to help reduce the chances of getting chronic Lyme disease is by having a healthy immune system and begin treatment right after the onset of symptoms. People with healthier immune systems will respond significantly better to treatment. There are several steps that a person can do to help strengthen the immune system.

1. Exercise daily. Lyme patients who had a daily exercise routine before they had Lyme do significantly better than Lyme patients who do not.

2. Eat a plant based diet. Meats, eggs, nuts, and legumes, are also healthy, but these products especially the meat and eggs would be healthier if they are organic and come from grass fed animals.

3. Avoid eating foods that causes inflammation because these foods will weaken the immune system. These foods include all wheat and gluten products, GMO's, and pasteurized dairy. It is also a smart idea to eat foods that are not as processed as others and aim for foods with single ingredients.

4. Take 1000 mg of Astragalus two times a day throughout the year if people are in high risk Lyme areas. Mice who were on astragalus showed that their interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 levels were stimulated before infection, which showed a reduced rate of infection by Borrelia.[3] Astragalus may be counter-productive in chronic Lyme disease because Astragalus stimulates part of the immune system that fights Lyme, but people who already have Lyme would have their immune system already working too hard and overloaded.

5. Take 200 mg of Magnesium two times a day. 80% of Americans are deficient in magnesium which is required for the muscles which includes the heart, and also important for the immune system, among many other functions throughout the body.[4] Since Borrelia is unique in that it feeds on magnesium instead of iron, Lyme patients become extremely deficient in magnesium which puts Lyme patients at high risk for heart diseases and other serious conditions.

6. Take 2 to 4 drops of Lugal's Iodine/Iodide per day. Dr. David Brownstein [5] is the leading expert on halides in the United States and has found that 96% of his patients of 5,000 test iodine deficient. He explains that Iodine/Iodide is required for every cell in the human body to operate properly, and it also induces apoptosis (cell death). Many organs also require iodine for functioning normally which includes the thyroid gland, and it has antibiotic, antiviral, anti-parasitic and anti-cancer qualities. Lyme patients with organs and cells not working properly will have a weakened immune system. Lyme patients significantly increase their iodine/iodide dosage to help aid their antibiotics in killing Lyme, but people starting iodine/iodide supplements should start at low dosages and gradually increase their dosage.

7. Take 2000 to 6000 IU's of vitamin D3. [6] Since most Americans stay indoors and do not recieve enough sunlight which our bodies use to convert into Vitamin d3, most Americans are deficient. Vitamin d3 deficiency is linked to a weakened immune system, among other medical conditions. [7] If a person is going to take vitamin D3 supplements, it is vital that they take vitamin K2 (MK7) supplements because D3 can deplete K2. If a person is going to take 2000 IU of D3, they need to take 200 micrograms of K2, if they are taking 6000 IU's of D3, then the K2 needs to be 600 micrograms. [8]



[1] Lyme Disease Association, Tick Testing, May 2012 http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=267&Itemid=179

[2] Damminix Tick Tubes http://www.ticktubes.com/

[3] Buhner, Stephen Healing Lyme, Silver City: Raven Press, 2005. Print p.119

[4] Hyman, Mark MD. Magnesium: The Most Powerful Relaxation Mineral Available, The Huffington Post, 1/15/10
 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/magnesium-the-most-powerf_b_425499.html

[5] Dr. David Brownstein: Getting Enough Iodine Critical for Healthy Body, NewsMax Health, September 1, 2011
http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/headline_health/Dr_Brownstein_iodine/2011/09/01/405353.html

[6] Dr. David Brownstein: New Vitamin D Recommendations, December 5, 2010
 http://drdavidbrownstein.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-vitamin-d-recommendations.html

[7] Chris D. Meletis, ND Vitamin Research Products, 2012
http://www.vrp.com/bone-and-joint/vitamin-d3-higher-doses-reduce-risk-of-common-health-concerns

[8] http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/12/16/vitamin-k2.aspx