Archive for the ‘Prevention’ Category

Tick Bites Warning As Woman Waits 29 Years For Lyme Disease Diagnosis

https://news.stv.tv/west-central/tick-bites-warning-after-pauline-bowie-waited-29-years-for-lyme-disease-diagnosis  Article and video here

Tick bites warning as woman waits 29 years for Lyme disease diagnosis

University experts working to understand more about ticks found in Scotland.
 STV News
By Susan Ripoll

A woman who waited 29 years for a Lyme disease diagnosis is warning people about the dangers of a tick bites

Pauline Bowie, from Clydebank, was bitten in 1989 and for decades experienced chronic fatigue, heart problems and joint pain. 

She was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and ME, but was still struggling with her symptoms when she heard about Lyme disease.

“I was off work, barely able to get out of bed at times and it was just a throwaway comment from my dad,” the 54-year-old said.

“He had been speaking to a cousin of mine who was getting treated for Lyme disease.”

Pauline googled the virus and finally felt “everything fell into place”.   (See link for article)

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SUMMARY:

  • A ‘throwaway’ comment is quite often how “everything falls into place” for people because  government public health has failed to lead mainstream medicine to truth about this plague. Myths have continued unabated for over 40 years and show no sign of changing.
  • Similarly to this patient, nearly everyone who goes to a regular GP to get standardized testing has a negative test – further propelling the Lyme lies.
  • It wasn’t until this patient, like so many others, uses a more sensitive test – vilified by conflict riddled authorities due to their own patent ownership in testing, that she found out not only did she have Lyme, but numerous other tick-borne infections (TBIs). This is also common in Lymeland.
  • And she, like thousands, if not millions more – don’t receive true help until they see a doctor who specializes in TBIs – who are also vilified and called “quacks” by conflict riddled authorities, and who are hunted down by state medical boards and other professional medical groups and are persecuted for helping patients.
  • The patient admits she’s now in remission but has occasional flare-ups – or relapses, necessitating stints of treatment.  This concept is completely denied, ignored, and vilified by mainstream medicine.
  • She also admits she can do things now she hasn’t been able to do since she was in her 20’s, and that it’s been “life changing.”  DITTO!
  • Scientists as Glasgow University have developed a map where members of the public can upload information about where and when they found ticks, and take samples from hot spots.
  • Evidently people from all over Scotland are stating they’ve never seen ticks like they have this year and the team has found larger numbers in urban areas and gardens, and warns that they are everywhere.
  • The article then gives tick prevention ideas which can also be found here in an article that is more thorough & complete. They also recommend changing into a new set of clothes at the end of your activity which is a good idea.  (Put the others in a tightly secured bag and put in dryer on high for 15-20 min when you get home)
  • They also give a section on what to do if you are bitten.  I believe this article is better.  The article quotes the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS – how to handle a tick bite):

    “ILADS recommends that prophylaxis (preventive treatment) be discussed with all who have had a blacklegged tick bite. An appropriate course of antibiotics has been shown to prevent the onset of infection.

    When the decision is made to use antibiotic prophylaxis, ILADS recommends 20 days of doxycycline (provided there are no contraindications).The decision to treat a blacklegged tick bite with antibiotics often depends on where in the country the bite occurred, whether there was evidence that the tick had begun feeding, and the age of the person who was bitten.  Based on the available evidence, and provided that it is safe to do so, ILADS recommends a 20-day course of doxycycline.

  • Personally, I would treat each and every black-legged tick bite with antibiotics/antimicrobials.  The risk just isn’t worth it. Taking the “wait and see” approach is foolish considering the potential devastating outcome.

Category:

Activism, Lyme, Prevention, research, Ticks, Uncategorized

How to Protect Yourself From Ticks With Permethrin-Treated Clothing

https://danielcameronmd.com/permethrin-treated-clothing-causes-hot-foot-effect-ticks/

How to protect yourself from ticks with Permethrin-treated clothing

how-to-protect-yourself-from-ticks

Several studies have found that wearing permethrin-treated clothing can reduce the risk of tick bites. But very few studies have looked at the behavior of a tick when it comes in contact with permethrin-treated clothing. Does it climb onto the insecticide-soaked textile or avoid it entirely? Does permethrin actually kill ticks?

By Dr. Cameron

As more individuals begin to venture outside with warmer weather, there are often concerns over how to protect yourself from ticks. Researchers have examined not only the effectiveness of various repellents and protective clothing but also the behavior of individuals who are more likely to encounter ticks.

Researchers in Indiana looked at the protective measures used by recreational hikers in their state. Surprisingly, they found that only 9.5% of hikers used a tick repellent, even fewer (3.4%) wore protective clothing and only 2 individuals “indicated that they took a shower post-recreation and used that activity to search for tick bites.” [1]

Ultrasonic device

Meanwhile, investigators in Australia recently studied the efficacy of ultrasonic pest repellent devices against the Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus. “As more than 80% of the ticks were not repelled within the confined area, this level of repellency is clearly insufficient to provide adequate protection from a potential tick bite,” they conclude. [2]

Permethrin-treated clothing

Several studies have looked at Permethrin-treated clothing in repelling ticks.  Sullivan et al. recruited state and county park employees from North Carolina to wear long-lasting Permethrin-impregnated (LLPI) clothing. The authors found that the clothing “retained Permethrin and bioactivity against ticks after three months of use in real-world conditions.” [3]

A study in Rhode Island aimed to provide insight as to how to protect yourself from ticks by examining Permethrin-treated footwear. The authors found that people wearing sneakers and socks treated with Permethrin were 73.6 times less likely to have a tick bite than those wearing untreated footwear. [4]

Researchers found “people wearing sneakers and socks treated with Permethrin were 73.6 times less likely to have a tick bite than those wearing untreated footwear.”

Meanwhile, another study explored the behavior of ticks when they encounter Permethrin-treated clothing. How do ticks react? Using a model that mimicked a pant leg or the arm of a long-sleeved shirt, scientists studied the behavior and fate of ticks when exposed to Permethrin-treated clothing. [5]

“Ticks approaching a textile impregnated with a strong non-contact spatial repellent (DEET) very rarely made physical contact with the treated textile,” according to Eisen and colleagues from the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [4]

Tick behavior when exposed to Permethrin

However, Permethrin-treated textiles did not repel ticks without contact, as seen with DEET. In fact, the majority (88%) of nymphal ticks chose to move onto Permethrin-treated textile versus DEET-treated textile.

After coming in contact with the treated clothing, the ticks dislodged through a “hot-foot” effect.

“Ticks readily walked onto a Permethrin-treated textile…. but laboratory-reared ticks became visibly agitated, displaying a hot-foot effect, and escaped contact with the Permethrin-treated textile by tumbling downwards until they dislodged themselves completely from a textile-covered assay card.”

Unfortunately, field-collected ticks were hardier than laboratory-reared ticks and able to sustain longer contact with the treated textile. The authors postulated that field-collected ticks have been exposed to highly variable temperatures and humidity conditions which may result in slower absorption of Permethrin.

“However, by 1 and 24 hours post-exposure very few ticks displayed normal movement, thus presenting minimal risk to bite, regardless of whether they were reared in the laboratory or collected in the field.”

“Contact with Permethrin-treated textiles negatively impacts the vigor and behavior of nymphal ticks for >24 hours,” according to Eisen, “with outcomes ranging from complete lack of movement to impaired movement and unwillingness of ticks displaying normal movement to ascend onto a human finger.”

One day after exposure, a majority of ticks were completely motionless. The remaining ticks were able to recover. “Ticks having recovered normal movement 1 day after exposure in our study most often ascended onto a finger when given the opportunity (and presumably also were capable of biting),” Eisen points out.

“In a real-life scenario, prolonged periods of time where ticks having fallen off a human host after contact with Permethrin-treated textile are unable to move will undoubtedly increase the risk of mortality due to desiccation or predation.”

“A scenario more difficult to address in a bioassay is when a tick makes initial contact with bare skin and subsequently approaches loose-fitting summer-weight Permethrin treated garments, such as shorts or a T-shirt,” states Eisen.

“In this case, the tick may walk underneath the treated textile and be contacted primarily from the dorsal side as the person moves and the clothing comes in and out of contact with the tick and the person’s skin.”

Permethrin is acutely toxic in high doses. The authors did not address the potential toxicity of Permethrin to humans. “Acute signs of toxicity to the central nervous system include incoordination, ataxia, hyperactivity, convulsions, and finally prostration, paralysis, and death,” according to a review by the National Research Council (US) Subcommittee to Review Permethrin Toxicity from Military Uniforms. [6]

Note: Users have been advised not to inhale Permethrin when treating clothes and not to apply Permethrin to the skin.

Article Updated: June 1, 2021

Related Articles:

Only a minority of children with Lyme disease recall a tick bite

Are Lyme disease prevention methods really working?

How concerned are people about tick bites and tick-borne diseases?

References:
  1. Anderson KR, Blekking J, Omodior O. Tick trails: the role of online recreational trail reviews in identifying risk factors and behavioral recommendations associated with tick encounters in Indiana. BMC Public Health. 2021;21(1):908. Published 2021 May 13. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-10940-4
  2. Panthawong A, Doggett SL, Chareonviriyaphap T. The Efficacy of Ultrasonic Pest Repellent Devices against the Australian Paralysis Tick, Ixodes holocyclus (Acari: Ixodidae). Insects. 2021;12(5):400. Published 2021 Apr 30. doi:10.3390/insects12050400
  3. Sullivan KM, Poffley A, Funkhouser S, et al. Bioabsorption and effectiveness of long-lasting permethrin-treated uniforms over three months among North Carolina outdoor workers. Parasit Vectors. 2019;12(1):52. Published 2019 Jan 23. doi:10.1186/s13071-019-3314-1
  4. Tick Encounter. https://www.tickencounter.org/prevention/permethrin
  5. Eisen L, Rose D, Prose R, et al. Bioassays to evaluate non-contact spatial repellency, contact irritancy, and acute toxicity of permethrin-treated clothing against nymphal Ixodes scapularis ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2017.
  6. Health Effects of Permethrin-Impregnated Army Battle-Dress Uniforms (1994) by National Research Council. 1994. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/9274. at https://www.nap.edu/catalog/9274/health-effects-of-permethrin-impregnated-army-battle-dress-uniforms. Last accessed 8/12/17.

For more:

Category:

Prevention, research, Ticks, Treatment

British Columbia CDC Updates Info on Lyme Disease

https://www.castanet.net/news/BC/369932/BCCDC-releases-map-of-risk-areas-where-people-could-contract-Lyme-disease

BCCDC releases map of risk areas where people could contract Lyme disease

Lyme disease areas listed
Rob Gibson – May 25, 2022

The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control has updated its information on Lyme disease in the province.

The agency has published a map of the areas considered risk zones for Lyme disease.

“It’s certainly an update, and contradicts much of what doctors have been telling patients throughout the province for years,” said Jim Wilson, president and founder of the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation.

Wilson says the BCCDC was behind the times and he’s glad to see they have updated their information.

“Saying these areas are not at risk for Lyme disease (in the past), is just not the case and hasn’t been the case for decades.”

(See link for article)

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**Comment**

Wilson, a patient himself, states the main reason for the long-overdue update was due to pressure by his organization.

And this, my friends, is the only way we make progress.  By doing it ourselves.

Wilson also warns that an important underlying issue that isn’t being discussed is the fact ticks are possibly everywhere due to migrating birds transporting them globally.  He states Revelstoke, Golden, and Banff which aren’t highlighted by the BCCDC map should be.

Please check out prevention and removal methods on his website, as well as many other resources.

For more:

Category:

Activism, Lyme, Prevention, Ticks

Tick-borne Diseases Pose ‘Public Health Crisis’ in PA, Experts Say

https://www.wpxi.com/news/pennsylvania/tick-borne-diseases-pose-public-health-crisis-pa-experts-say

Tick-borne diseases pose ‘public health crisis’ in PA, experts say

By Liz Kilmer, WPXI-TV

PITTSBURGH — Pennsylvania continues to be a top state for Lyme disease, the most common tick-borne infection, and experts are urging awareness and caution.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health estimates that the state could have as many as 100,000 cases of Lyme disease each year.

“Pennsylvania is ground zero for ticks and tick-borne illnesses,” said Nicole Chinnici, the Director of the Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania at East Stroudsburg University. “It has a lot to do with our geographical landscape and our protected land and having a decent amount of forest coverage. So with that… we have a huge public health crisis in our state, and it needs to be addressed.”

The lab tests ticks for free, determining the type of tick and potential infection. Last year, about 30,000 came from Pennsylvania residents, she said. Data show about a third of all ticks test for some type of illness.

And, more than half of people who submit ticks report having been bitten while in their own backyards.  (See link for article)

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SUMMARY:

  • Chinnici states your own backyard is the greatest risk because you don’t consider it a risk.
  • Dr. Shannon Smith, DC and LLMD states some that are infected never see a tick or a rash.
  • Smith states some of his patients have been misdiagnosed for years.
  • One such patient initially had fatigue but then developed iron deficiency and Celiac’s disease. Treatment has already begun to help by improving her memory and emotions as Lyme can cause depression.
  • Many misdiagnosed patients fall through the cracks due to a negative test.
  • Joint pain or facial drooping are classic symptoms but other symptoms include brain fog, speech difficulties, or fibromyalgia symptoms.
  • Smith recommends testing for other infections as well as they can cause other symptoms like GI issues.
  • Pets can bring ticks into the home.
  • Smith recommends taking a lint roller and roll it all over your body as ticks don’t quickly embed.
  • Wear tick repellent and bright/light colors
  • It is recommended to wear tick repellent and bright colors that make it easier to spot a tick. If you find a tick that’s attached, you want to use a fine-point tweezer, grabbing at the base of the mouth. More tips can be found on the lab’s blog: https://www.ticklab.org/blog/

For more:

Category:

Lyme, Prevention, Ticks

Cat Ownership and Rural Residence Are Associated With Lyme Disease Prevalence in the Northeastern United States

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/9/5618/htm

Cat Ownership and Rural Residence Are Associated with Lyme Disease Prevalence in the Northeastern United States

by Amanda Roome1,2,*, Katherine Wander2 and Ralph M. Garruto2
1Bassett Research Institute, Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown, NY 13326, USA
2Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University (State University of New York), Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Paul B. Tchounwou
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5618; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095618
Received: 14 March 2022 / Revised: 22 April 2022 / Accepted: 27 April 2022 / Published: 5 May 2022
(This article belongs to the Section Infectious Disease Epidemiology)
Abstract

Lyme disease (LD) is the most common vector-borne disease in the USA. Beyond its tick-borne nature, however, risk factors for LD are poorly understood. We used an online questionnaire to compare LD patients and non-LD counterparts and elucidate factors associated with LD. We investigated demographic, lifestyle, and household characteristics and use of prevention measures. Associations with LD were modeled using logistic regression, and average marginal effects were estimated. In total, 185 active or past LD patients and 139 non-patients participated. The majority of respondents were white (95%) and female (65%). Controlling for age, sex, and type of residential area, pet ownership was associated with an 11.1% (p = 0.038) increase in the probability of LD. This effect was limited to cat owners (OR: 2.143, p = 0.007; dog owners, OR: 1.398, p = 0.221). Living in rural areas was associated with a 36% (p = 0.001) increase in the probability of LD compared to living in an urban area. Participants who reported knowing someone with Lyme Disease were more likely to wear insect repellant and perform tick checks. This study suggests opportunities for improved LD prevention, including advising cat owners of their increased risk. Although patterns in adoption of LD prevention methods remain poorly understood, concern about LD risk does motivate their use.
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Category:

Activism, Prevention, research, Ticks