Insect Repellent Citronella Essential Oil and Lyme Disease and Ticks

Lyme Disease and Other Tick-borne Diseases

What are Ticks?

Ticks are small parasites that exist by sucking blood from a host. Ticks are not insects but have eight legs and are from the same family as spiders. There are hundreds of tick species distributed over the world.

Most are non-injurious to human health. However, some ticks can cause severe irritation and others are dangerous.

Depending on the tick species, that host can be human or animal, including birds, mammals and even cold-blooded reptiles and amphibians. Different tick species target different hosts.

Note from Diana Walker:  “This is personal for me.  At the age of 8 years old, I remember my Dad burning out a tick from the top of my head!!  We lived on 70 acres with lots of forest.”

How do Ticks Spread Disease?

Ticks do not stay permanently attached to one host. When they choose a human host they bury their mouthpiece into the skin to suck blood to keep themselves alive. The volume of blood they consume is inconsequential, health-wise, what is more important is what they leave behind.

Some tick species which attach themselves to humans inject a mild anesthetic while they are attached, similar to that injected by a mosquito. For this reason, many people are unaware of the tick while it is attached. As with a mosquito bite, this can cause itching for a period even after the tick has been removed.

Most medical authorities consider that Lyme disease is transferred in North America by Blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks or bear ticks. Their botanical name is Ixodes scapularis.

The specific pathogen that is responsible for Lyme disease that is transferred by the tick is called Borrelia burgdorferi.

Many people who see a rash on their skin understandably assume that it is simply an insect bite that will heal in a short time. However, if it is the result of a tick bite and you live in a high-risk area, there is a possibility that it may develop into Lyme disease, and warrants professional medical attention.

Insect Repellent including Citronella Essential Oil

Insect Repellent  ~ Citronella Essential Oil is famous for being a plant that insects really do not like!

This plant adorns many patios and yards for this reason, and the synthetic version is a smell most of us can call to mind easily from long days spent outdoors, whipping out the toxic sprays. Many Insect Repellents contain DEET.  Be sure you read the labels!

In 1998 the Environmental Protection Agency conducted a definitive assessment of the chemical. The agency turned up 46 seizures and four deaths that were potentially linked to Deet exposure. DEET-related health problems include skin rashes and scarring in adults and, in a few cases, reports of neurological problems in children.

While toxic sprays can be harmful for our bodies, the real thing in concentrated Citronella Essential Oil form is incredibly potent – with a pure and beautifully FRESH scent!

INSECT REPELLENT EXPERIMENT WITH A TICK

1. Tick placed inside ring of water and olive oil combination.
Tick happily walks through this.
2. Tick placed inside ring of Young Living Insect Repellent
Tick not able to find a way out.
Does not like the Citronella Essential Oil in this Insect Repellent, and other Essential Oils

Insect Repellent (USA) from Young Living is a natural, essential oil-infused alternative to traditional bug repellent that effectively prevents mosquito, flea, and tick bites.  Who remembers using DEET?  This natural insect repellent definitely is “Deet-free”.