Stay Safe This Summer: How to Prevent Tick-Borne Illnesses in the NC Mountains

As the long, sun-drenched days of summer return to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, many of us are drawn to the trails, forests, and rivers that make Asheville such a haven for outdoor lovers. Whether it’s hiking through Pisgah National Forest, gardening in your backyard, or enjoying a scenic picnic along the Blue Ridge Parkway, summertime invites us to reconnect with nature and soak up its healing power.

But with all this outdoor enjoyment comes an important health consideration—tick-borne illnesses. As temperatures rise and vegetation thickens, ticks become more active. Here in the Southern Appalachians, we see a growing prevalence of tick-related diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis. And these illnesses are not just a concern for hikers and campers—they can affect anyone spending time outside, including children, pet owners, and backyard gardeners.

Understanding Tick-Borne Illnesses in Western North Carolina

Nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Asheville and the surrounding areas offer breathtaking landscapes—and unfortunately, a growing risk of tick-borne illness. In recent years, the number of reported cases has steadily increased, making tick awareness and prevention more important than ever for North Carolina residents and visitors alike.

Common Tick-Borne Diseases in Our Region

Several serious illnesses are transmitted by tick bites in Western North Carolina:

• Lyme Disease
  The most well-known tick-borne illness, Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted by black-legged ticks (also known as deer ticks). North Carolina is considered a lower-risk state compared to the Northeast, but cases are increasing in the mountainous western counties. Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and a distinctive “bull’s-eye” rash. Left untreated, Lyme can lead to neurological, cardiac, and joint complications.
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
  Transmitted by the American dog tick, RMSF is one of the most severe tick-borne illnesses and can become life-threatening without prompt treatment. Early signs include fever, headache, nausea, and a rash that typically appears 2–5 days after symptoms begin.
• Ehrlichiosis
  Caused by bacteria from the Ehrlichia genus and spread by the lone star tick, ehrlichiosis may initially resemble the flu—fever, chills, muscle aches, and confusion are common. Without treatment, it can escalate quickly, especially in vulnerable populations.
• Alpha-Gal Syndrome
  A lesser-known but increasingly common condition, Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergic reaction to red meat and other animal products triggered by a bite from the lone star tick. Symptoms can appear hours after eating and include hives, gastrointestinal distress, and even anaphylaxis.

Know the Signs: Early and Late-Stage Symptoms

Tick-borne diseases often start subtly, which is why early detection is crucial. Be alert to:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Low-grade fevers
• Muscle or joint pain
• Rashes or unusual skin changes

If left untreated, these illnesses can progress to involve the heart, nervous system, and immune system. Chronic symptoms may include cognitive decline, neuropathy, joint swelling, and autoimmune-like responses—often misdiagnosed or dismissed without deeper investigation.

Summer Health Tips: How to Prevent Tick Bites

When it comes to Lyme Disease Prevention in NC, the best treatment is prevention. Fortunately, there are several simple, proactive strategies you can use to reduce your risk of tick exposure—without giving up your favorite summer activities. Whether you're gardening in Asheville or hiking the NC mountains, these summer health tips can help you stay safe and tick-free.

Before You Go Outdoors

• Dress Smart: Wear light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot. Long sleeves, pants tucked into socks, and closed-toe shoes offer the best protection. Consider treating clothing with permethrin, a safe and effective insect repellent for fabrics.
• Choose Natural Repellents: If you prefer natural options, essential oils such as eucalyptus, lavender, geranium, and cedarwood can help repel ticks. Look for formulations proven effective or consult with your provider for guidance. Always test on a small patch of skin first.

While Outdoors

• Stay on Trails: When hiking or exploring wooded areas, stay in the center of well-marked paths. Avoid brushing up against tall grass, overgrown vegetation, and leaf litter—ticks love to wait in these places for their next host.
• Do Tick Checks Often: If you’re out for an extended period, check your skin every 2–3 hours. Pay special attention to areas where ticks tend to hide: the back of the knees, waistline, armpits, neck, and scalp.

After Outdoor Activities

• Shower Immediately: Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce the risk of Lyme disease. It also provides a good opportunity to perform a thorough tick check.
• Inspect Gear, Pets, and Body: Ticks can hitch a ride on clothes, backpacks, and animals. Check your pets, shoes, and gear, and place clothes in a hot dryer for 10–15 minutes to kill any lingering ticks.
• Remove Ticks Safely: If you find a tick attached to your skin, don’t panic. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or squeezing the tick’s body. After removal, cleanse the area with soap and water or an antiseptic. Keep the tick in a sealed bag if you want to have it tested later.

You may also consider keeping a tick removal kit handy in your home, car, or hiking pack.

What To Do If You’re Bitten by a Tick

Even with the best precautions, tick bites can still happen. What you do next is crucial—not only to reduce the risk of infection but to support your body’s recovery if exposure has occurred. Prompt, informed action can make all the difference in preventing long-term complications.

Step-by-Step Tick Removal and Cleaning

1. Stay Calm: Most tick bites don’t immediately transmit disease, but time matters.
2. Use Fine-Tipped Tweezers: Grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible—right at the base where it is attached.
3. Pull Gently and Steadily: Apply even pressure upward. Do not twist, yank, or crush the tick, as this can increase the risk of pathogens entering your bloodstream.
4. Clean the Area: Wash the bite site and your hands with soap and warm water. You may also apply rubbing alcohol or an antiseptic.
5. Dispose of the Tick Safely: Place the tick in a sealed plastic bag or small container. Label it with the date and location of the bite—you may need it for identification or testing.

When to Seek Medical Evaluation

While not every tick bite results in illness, it’s wise to seek medical evaluation if you:

• Experience flu-like symptoms (fatigue, fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches) within a few days or weeks
• Notice a rash, especially one that resembles a bull’s-eye or spreads
• Develop joint pain, nerve symptoms, or brain fog
• Know the tick was attached for more than 24 hours
• Suspect the tick may have been a black-legged (deer) tick or lone star tick

These symptoms could indicate Lyme disease or another tick-borne illness that requires prompt attention.

Documenting the Bite

Proper documentation supports better diagnosis. Be sure to:

• Take a clear photo of the tick and the bite site
• Note the date and time of removal
• Keep the tick in a sealed bag for identification or lab testing, if advised
• Write down any symptoms that appear, even mild or vague ones

This information can be critical for making decisions about testing and treatment.

Early Intervention at Caring for the Body, PLLC

At Caring for the Body, we understand that early intervention can dramatically improve outcomes—especially when it comes to stealthy infections like Lyme disease or ehrlichiosis. We offer:

• Advanced diagnostic testing through trusted labs like IGeneX, which can detect chronic or hard-to-diagnose infections missed by conventional tests
• Functional medicine consultations to assess your immune status, inflammation markers, and toxic load
• Supportive therapies to strengthen detoxification pathways, restore immune balance, and reduce inflammation if early symptoms appear

Even if symptoms are mild—or haven't yet appeared—our proactive approach allows us to create a personalized prevention or treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and medical history.

Your Health Matters: Don’t Wait to Take Action on Tick-Borne Illness

Spending time in the natural beauty of the North Carolina mountains is one of life’s great joys—but it comes with responsibility. Prevention is key, and staying vigilant with tick protection strategies can go a long way in keeping you and your loved ones safe.

However, if you’ve been bitten by a tick or just don’t feel like yourself after outdoor exposure, don’t ignore it. Your body often knows when something is “off”—and listening to those signals is the first step toward protecting your long-term health.

At Caring for the Body, PLLC, Dr. Cynthia Libert and her team are here to walk alongside you. Using compassionate, personalized care and advanced functional medicine, we help uncover root causes, restore balance, and support your body’s healing process from the inside out. We believe in treating the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—with precision, integrity, and hope.

If you’ve been bitten by a tick or are experiencing symptoms of a tick-borne illness, don’t wait. Reach out to Caring for the Body, PLLC today to begin your path toward healing.

📞 Call us at (828) 490-1545

📧 Email us at help@caringforthebody.org

🌐 Learn more at www.caringforthebody.org

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