Tick Bite Protocol: What I’d Do After a Tick Bite

The calm, clear plan I’d use if me or my kids got a tick bite

Tick bites can feel scary, especially with everything we know today about Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Living in fear of ticks is definitely not a good reason to avoid the great outdoors! The goal is to be prepared. And that’s exactly what this article may help you do. 

I’m sharing the details regarding what I would do right away (and what to watch for) following a tick bite. Continue reading below as I unpack my simple, step-by-step guide for what I’d do if I (or anyone I’m caring for) got a tick bite:

1. Remove the tick
2. Send the tick for testing
3. Clean the bite & apply topicals
4. Support the body internally
5. Know what to watch for
6. Act quickly if symptoms do appear

Bonus, I share my best tips for prevention following the detailed protocol!

Step 1: Remove the Tick (Properly & Quickly)

The sooner a tick is removed, the lower the risk of transmission—this is why acting quickly matters. As soon as you notice a tick, remove it properly and immediately.

1. Use fine-tip tweezers
2. Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible (by the head)
3. Pull upward slowly and steadily (don’t twist or jerk)

This graphic on how to remove a tick properly is helpful. 

Avoid:

• Burning the tick
• Using oils or substances to “make it back out”

These methods can increase the chance of the tick releasing bacteria into the skin. 

Step 2: Save the Tick for Testing

This step is often overlooked, but it’s incredibly helpful for knowing the course of action to take after a tick bite.

1. Place the tick in a sealed plastic bag or container (Note: If you can’t send the tick in the mail right away, you might consider refrigerating/freezing the tick in the plastic bag until you can send it!)
2. Save it for testing (Your next steps on how/where to send the tick for testing via mail will be determined by which lab you utilize.)

Why this matters: It’s often easier and faster to test the tick for lyme and co-infections than to test a person, especially early on.

Common labs for tick testing include:

• IGeneX
• Ticknology
• TickReport

Step 3: Clean the Bite + Apply Topical Support

Clean the Bite

Once the tick is removed:

1. Wash the area with warm water and soap
2. Apply a gentle antiseptic. Choose one of the following:
   • Iodine
   • Tea tree oil
   • Silver spray

Apply a Draw-Out Paste

While this is optional, I think it’s wise to apply a draw-out paste for drawing toxins out of the site in order to support the skin and even deeper healing and detoxification. Here’s how I do it with ingredients you may already have in your home:

• Mix apple cider vinegar + activated charcoal + bentonite clay
• Apply to the bite site
• Cover with a bandage for up to 12 hours

Alternatively, Earthley has a helpful pre-mixed draw-out paste product (use code TAYLORDUKES) that is both convenient and easy to use. 

Step 4: Support the Body Internally

After caring for the skin, focus can shift toward supporting the immune system. This doesn’t need to feel overwhelming. Think in terms of gentle support. I take a three-part approach, supporting the body with homeopathy, antimicrobials, and immune-boosting products. 

Homeopathy (Time-Sensitive)

For tick bites, I would use Ledum 200C and Apis 200C immediately following the bite. I’d take 2-3 pellets 3x per day for up to 7 days. Homeopathy is most helpful when started early. Boiron Homeopathics is a reputable brand for homeopathic products which can be purchased on Fullscript. You can also find them locally at health food stores. 

Homeopathy is great because the pellets do not interact with other drugs—they are effective, yet so gentle. These can be taken alongside antimicrobials and other immune supports. 

Herbal Antimicrobials

An herbal antimicrobial is a great option in addition to homeopathy and immune-boosting supplements. Herbal antimicrobials support the body’s natural defenses. Personally, I would use TDW Clean as my herbal antimicrobial of choice because I always have it on hand. (It’s literally the most versatile supplement – so much so that I made a while free PDF on the many ways to use Clean!). You could also choose 1-2 of the following for antimicrobial support:

• Olive leaf extract
• Andrographis
• Cat’s claw
• Berberine

When my husband was bit by a tick earlier this year, we immediately started him on the clean drops. 

Supreme Nutrition makes great herbal antimicrobials, including olive leaf, andrographis, and cat’s claw. You can purchase Supreme Nutrition products at www.DSSOrders.com/TaylorDukes using registration code TD4699.

Following a tick bite, I would use 1-2 antimicrobials from the list above as directed on the product label until the bottle was finished.

Immune Support

The body is truly incredible, and when given the right materials, it will fight back against pathogens to maintain its health. The whole point of boosting the immune system is to let the body do what it does best—heal. For immune support, I focus on helpful, foundational products to simply give the immune system the raw materials it needs:

• Vitamin C
• Omega 
• Immune Boost 
• GI Immune Support
• Immune Boost 

Step 5: Know What to Watch For

Most tick bites do not turn into something serious. At the same time, it’s important to stay aware and on the lookout for any changes. Symptoms can appear anywhere from a few days to several weeks after a bite, which is why ongoing awareness matters.

I Watch for:

Rash

• Classic “bullseye” pattern or
• Red, irritated area (may resemble a spider bite)
• Often not itchy

Flu-like symptoms (without respiratory symptoms)

• Fatigue
• Chills
• Headache
• Body aches

Other signs

• Stiff neck
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain

Step 6: Act Quickly If Symptoms Appear

If you notice any of the above, it’s important to act quickly:

• Reach out to a healthcare provider promptly
• Ask about tick-borne illness testing (such as IGeneX or Vibrant panels) sometimes it can take awhile for antibodies to show up though so this is why I like to keep a close eye on someones symptoms. 
• Discuss early treatment options (herbal and/or conventional meds such as antibiotics)

Early support matters, and treating right away is helpful for having more positive outcomes long term. If something feels off, it’s always best to trust your instincts and seek care early—it’s better to check than to wait. 

I am going to be honest with y’all, I have found that acute lyme is much less complicated and involved to treat than chronic lyme. Though you have to use antibiotics, this is a time and place where I believe it is absolutely helpful and the cost benefit is worth it. We can always work on gut repair after antibiotics!

Taylor Dukes’s Real-Life Example

Given my history with Lyme, and co-infections, tick bites are something we take seriously in my family. 

When a recent tick bite happened in our home, here’s what we did immediately:

• Prompt and proper removal

• Prayer

• Early medical support (including a one time loading dose of doxycycline, under provider guidance) *we chose to do this because the tick was engorged and had been there for days*

• Topical antimicrobial care (from Wholistic Family Tick Kit)

• Homeopathy (Ledum + Apis)

• Vitamin C, Immune Boost and Clean drops 

• Sent the tick away for testing (Praise God results were negative for tick-borne illnesses!)

Every situation is different, but having a plan helped me act quickly and calmly. My family lives on a farm. We are in nature often and even though I have a history with Lyme, we absolutely do not fear tick bites! We are prepared, we take it seriously, but we will never give into fear or let that limit our outdoors lifestyle. 

And speaking of preparation…

Prevention: Your First Line of Defense Against a Tick Bite

Before diving into prevention, I have to mention tick checks. One of the best things you can do after spending time outdoors is a thorough tick check. The sooner a tick is found and removed, the lower the likelihood it stays attached long enough to transmit illness. 

After hikes, sports practices, gardening, camping, or even playing in a wooded backyard, check yourself and your kids, especially behind the knees, around the groin, under the arms, along the scalp and hairline, behind the ears, and around the waistband where ticks commonly hide. A quick tick check can go a long way in protecting your health.

Now, for prevention…The best approach is always to reduce exposure when possible (keep reading to see how you can reduce exposure while not reducing time outdoors!). Also, it is best to be prepared with the supplies you need and a clear plan in case a tick bite does happen. This Wholistic Family Tick Kit is a convenient, easy option to have on hand! 

Simple Tick Bite Prevention Tips

• When outdoors in heavily wooded areas or naturescapes, wear long pants, long shirts, and/or long socks. Light colored clothing can make it easier to spot ticks. 
• Use cleaner and lesser/non-toxic products like Wondercide or Cedarcide around your home in order to deter ticks and other pests
• Keep Wholistic Family Tick Kit and TDW Clean stocked and ready to go at your home
• Use tick repellents when in wooded or grassy areas:
  • Natural sprays with essential oils (rosemary, lemongrass, thyme, geranium) — there’s a great DIY insect repellent “recipe” you can find here
  • Primally Pure Nature Spray (TAYLORDUKES for discount
• For kids:
  • Kid-safe Tick Repellent Stickers
  • Kid-safe sprays, including Primally Pure’s Nature Spray mentioned above
• Consider daily habits like:
  • Drinking Cistus tea (commonly used for immune support)

DIY Tick Spray

You can make a simple spray at home:

• 16 oz glass spray bottle
• Fill ¾ with water
• Add 4 tbsp 100% witch hazel
• Add 20–30 drops essential oils (rosemary, lemongrass, thyme, or geranium)
• Top with water + shake well

Final Thoughts

The goal is prevention, but we know that life happens. In the case of a tick bite, it’s best to take it seriously and be prepared with a clear, simple plan. But not to panic. Carrying out the steps above creates a strong, informed position.

No fear. Just readiness. Armed with the plan above, it’s possible to confidently get outside and enjoy the health-giving benefits of the great outdoors!