Lyme Cases Are Skyrocketing: The Top 3 Ways To Protect Yourself

Lyme disease is not only a common diagnosis in my practice, but it's a topic that generates a lot of questions among patients—and for a good reason.

Between 2007 and 2021, cases increased1 by 357% in rural areas and by 65% in urban locations. Today, nearly half a million people are diagnosed annually.

Since ticks spend most of their lives on trees and shrubs, they're more susceptible to temperature shifts. Warmer temperatures due to climate change have nurtured the tick population, lengthened their active season, and expanded their territory into habitats that would otherwise have been too cold.

During the pandemic, many of us ventured outdoors for enjoyment and relaxation. Understandably, that trend has continued. In one survey on 2,000 homeowners, participants spent an average of 14 hours per week outside—an increase of three hours since the outbreak began.

The increase in Lyme diagnoses is also due to the fact that we now know more about the bacterial infection and can more accurately test for it. Better testing by industry leaders like IGeneX and Vibrant America equals an increase in reporting.

Labs offer the ability to test for co-infections too, which means they can detect additional pathogens at the same time. This increases the number of reported cases of Lyme disease.

In the functional medicine space, I see almost everything, and Lyme disease is not uncommon. In the past several weeks, I have run three comprehensive Lyme panels with their co-infections. All three patients were over the age of 50. The longer Lyme goes untreated at this age, the harder it is to manage because seniors' immune systems can be less effective. 

Lyme disease attacks your immune system, so take measures to boost your summer "armor" by giving your gut a chance.

Your gut and immune system are closely linked, so eat foods that support good stomach bacteria, such as fibrous vegetables and fruits.

The tick population has also grown due to an expansion of the "animal reservoir" in certain regions. For instance, the East Coast has experienced an increase in the white-footed mouse, and in California, Western gray squirrels are tick hosts.

If you live in these areas, be proactive about wearing insect repellent and summer fabrics like cotton that allow you to wear long sleeves or pants if you'll be outdoors for extended periods of time. Ticks like to perch on branch leaves and grass blades so they can latch on more easily, so keep that in mind during outdoor time. 

If products like DEET cause irritation or you prefer to stay away from chemicals, consider active ingredients that are more natural but still effective. Nootkatone3 is a compound found in grapefruit and cedar trees.