Natural Cures for Ticks

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a Lyme disease vaccine is no longer available. Lyme disease is transmitted by bites from deer ticks. Ticks are small members of the arachnid family that live in woodsy areas and feed on the blood of humans and animals. While the infection is not always present, if it is, it can be transmitted from animals to humans and vise versa. There are many natural ways to prevent exposure and possible infection without the use of harsh chemicals.

Prevention

Avoiding tick bites negates the need for a cure. There are several natural home remedies to keep ticks away from humans and pets. The first step is as simple as mowing your lawn frequently, so ticks can't hide in the tall grass. Mixing four teaspoons of neem oil with a gallon of water and spraying over a freshly mowed lawn is a natural tick repellent. Rose geranium oil is a natural substance that can be applied to both humans and pets to keep ticks away, as does eucalyptus. . Always shower as soon as possible after trekking through areas that are overgrown, or that are known to be infested with ticks, and check your clothing, your person and your pets carefully. If you find a tick, even if it has not latched on, dispose of it by flushing it down a toilet or dropping it into some rubbing alcohol. Do not attempt to crush it with your fingers, as certain infections can still spread with contact.

Removal

Removing a tick must be done carefully to avoid leaving part of the tick in the body. Using some sort of protection on your hand, such as latex gloves or a tissue, grasp the tick with a pair of pointed tweezers, getting as close to the skin as possible. Pull firmly and steadily, being careful not to twist the tick until it slides out. Wash the bite area immediately with soap and water and apply a mild disinfectant. After removal, you may want to place the tick in a small jar with a lid or tape it to a piece of paper. Watch the wound area for the appearance of a rash. Also look for signs of a fever. It may take up to 30 days for an infection to appear.

Treatment

Even if you do not contract Lyme disease or any other infection commonly carried by ticks, you may have some discomfort after receiving a tick bite. Apply ice wrapped in a cloth to prevent skin

damage, or a cold compress at the site to help ease swelling. Rubbing a small amount of honey on the wound will help prevent infection. Honey is sterile and bacteria can't live in it. You will still need to watch for signs of a rash because it is caused by a different type of infection and requires the treatment of a physician.