Tick bites fuel premature aging
Many tick-borne conditions can lead to chronic inflammation that causes fatigue, brain fog, arthritis, and irritation of the lining of the heart and lungs -- all prematurely aging you. Unfortunately, as many as 300,000 Americans get tick-transmitted Lyme disease each year and many others contract one of the 13 other tick-spread infections that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says are possible to get from an untreated bite. Lone Star tick bites may even cause alpha-gal syndrome, making you allergic to red meat!
Prevention is, of course, the best move: When outside in grassy or wooded areas, use an insect repellant containing at least 20% DEET (for the skin) or for clothes. It's safe, but avoid inhaling any spray repellant or applying it to cuts or wounds. Also, wear long sleeves, cover your legs and feet, and stay out of tall vegetation.
If you get a tick bite, remove the critter as soon as you spot it. Use pointy tweezers to slide under the tick and remove it without squeezing or dismembering it. (Digging and prodding can lead to infection.) Then take the tick to be tested at an urgent care center or a state public health office. That way, your doctor will be able to provide appropriate treatment.
You know you can protect yourself from premature aging by eating a plant-based diet free of highly processed foods, getting regular physical activity and enjoying your posse and a sense of purpose -- and now you can add preventing tick-borne infections as one more way to live longer, happier and healthier!
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.
(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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