It’s Tick Season: How to Protect Yourself from Ticks from a Functional Medicine Approach
- Carrie Ballas
- May 7
- 4 min read
The warmer seasons are upon us, bringing flourishing flora, delightful long summer days, and pesky bugs and ticks. Learn how to protect yourself and your family from exposure while enjoying the outdoors!
Recently, I have been getting a lot of calls from patients about tick bites. Even though most of my readers live in Colorado, Lyme disease, which is not commonly found here, and other tick-borne diseases can harm one’s health. Many of you will travel on summer vacations, both in-state and out-of-state. This newsletter is designed to educate you on Tick-borne disease, and how to protect yourself and your family if you have been bitten by a tick.
NOTE: If you or someone you know has been bitten by a tick, and you would like to send it in for testing please see below.
What are the most common infections from Tick bites, and where are they commonly found?
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a disease caused by a bacterium called Rickettsia rickettsii.
Region: Southeast, South-central U.S.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease, not commnly found in Colordo, is a bacterial infection spread to people through the bite of blacklegged ticks by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely, Borrelia mayonii.
Region: Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper-Midwest of the U.S..
Anaplasmosis
Anaplasmosis is a disease caused by the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum, found in Blacklegged and Western Blacklegged ticks.
Region: Northeast, Midwest, and Northern California
Ehrlichiosis
The bacteria Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, or E. muris eauclairensis is carried by the Lone Star tick and the Blacklegged tick.
Region: South-eastern and South-central U.S.
Babesiosi
Babesiosis is a disease caused by the microscopic Babesia parasite found in Blacklegged (deer) ticks. The most common species in the U.S. is Babesia microti.
Region: the Northeast and Upper Midwest
Tularemia
Tularemia, widely known as rabbit fever, is caused by the bacteria Franscisella tularensis. Infection can be transmitted by ticks, deer flies, and contact with an infected animal, including wild rodents, rabbits, and squirrels.
Region: South-central U.S and Pacific Northwest
Powassan Virus (Rare)
Region: the Northeast and Great Lakes
Heartland Virus
Region: Eastern, Southeastern, and South-central U.S.
Bourbon Virus Rare
Region: Midwest and Southern U.S.
What Are the Risks of Tick-borne Diseases in Colorado?
While Colorado isn’t a hot spot for Lyme disease and other harmful microbes, here’s what you should know:
Colorado Tick Fever (CTF)
This is the most common tick-borne illness in our region. CTF is a Virus, with about 200 cases reported statewide per year. The Rocky Mountain wood tick is the vector, and is most active in the Spring. This virus can produce flu-like symptoms (headaches, fever, chills, and fatigue) for a few days. Symptoms typically resolve in a few days but can return for up to a few days to weeks after being bitten. Typically, people recover without any complications.
Lyme Disease
There has never been a confirmed case of Lyme disease originating from a tick bite in Colorado; the tick that carries this disease does not exist in Colorado.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
RMSF is extremely uncommon locally, with only a few cases reported annually. Symptoms can include a fever followed by headaches, an upset stomach, and a rash. This bacteria can be serious; if you get a tick bite and have these symptoms, seek medical attention.
Tick Paralysis (TP)
TP is a reaction to tick saliva from the Rocky Mountain wood tick. TP is rare and occurs when the tick has been attached for long periods. Early symptoms include difficulty walking, progressing to limb numbness, and difficulty breathing. This is completely reversible when the tick is removed.
Tularemia
Tularemia is rare in humans but widespread in rabbits and wild animals. If exposed symptoms include a high fever, general weakness, swelling, and painful lymph nodes.
Tick Prevention: How to Protect Yourself Naturally
Here’s how to stay proactive:
Cover Up
Wear light-colored (easier to spot ticks), long-sleeved clothing, and tuck pants into socks when hiking or walking through brushy or wooded areas. Ticks are often acquired when brushing against low vegetation.
Use Non-Toxic Repellents
- IR3535 (Skin So Soft): Safe during pregnancy.
- Picaridin
- Permethrin: Use on clothing and gear only—not on skin.
Repellents to Avoid
- DEET (especially in children; linked to potential neurotoxicity)
- Fragranced lotions and perfumes (may attract insects)
Post-Exposure Skin Check
Check yourself, your children, and your pets after spending time outdoors. Look in the hidden places, such as:
Behind the knees
Inside and behind the ears
Armpits
Groin
Around waistbands, and inside the belly button
Scalp, hairline, back of neck
On pets: paws, around the eyes, top of tail, ears, behind back legs, and around neck and shoulders
How to Remove a Tick Safely
Use a fine-tipped tick removal tweezer, or a tick removal tool (see recommendations below).
Grasp the tick close to the skin and pull steadily upward.
Clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
Place the Tick in a sealed bag or container.
Send the Tick for testing (see below).
Companies like Ticknology offer mail-in tick testing services, and results are from 24 to 48 hours.
Ideas for a Tick First-aid Kit
Make your own Tick First-Aid Kit or source one online. Below are some items to consider adding to your Kit:
Tweezers
Alcohol wipes
Scotch Tape
Magnifying lens card
Tick collection container/plastic bag
Band-aids
Other Handy Tick Tools and Helpful Extras
It’s a good idea to keep these tick removal tools at hand in your hiking and/or backpack, and a home first aid kit:
Tick Twister: Simple and effective.
TickEase Tweezers – Dual-tip design, great for humans and pets (Amazon).
TickCheck Removal Card: Wallet-sized with built-in magnifier.
Tick Identification Cards: Identify the tick and determine risk.
At Boulder Integrative Health, our approach to prevention is holistic, evidence-informed, and grounded in the belief that staying outdoors should feel safe, healthy, and empowering.
To your health, Carrie Ballas
