What to Do After a Tick Bite in Vermont—and How to Recover if Symptoms Linger
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by Dr. Emelia Brogna, DPT
Spring is almost here in Vermont, and while March weather can still bring snow, the slow warmth of the season will soon invite ticks out of hiding. As every Vermonter knows, our beautiful wooded trails and rolling green hills can be prime tick territory.
With ticks come tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, Bartonella, Babesia, and anaplasmosis. Fortunately, there are many ways to protect yourself, and—if you do get bitten—a range of therapies that can help you recover.
Read on for prevention tips, what to do if you find a tick on your skin, and rehab therapies offered by Wayfinder to address tick-borne illness symptoms.
Why Tick-Borne Illnesses Are a Concern in Vermont
Vermont’s lush forests, tall grasses, and abundant wildlife create an ideal habitat for ticks. Blacklegged (deer) ticks, which transmit Lyme disease and other infections, thrive here. In fact, New England states consistently report some of the highest rates of Lyme disease in the country. Whether you’re hiking in the Green Mountains, walking your dog on a country path, or simply enjoying backyard gardening, it’s important to take precautions to prevent tick bites.
How to Prevent Tick Bites
1. Dress for Protection
Wear long pants: Tuck pant legs into socks to create a physical barrier against ticks.
Choose light-colored clothing: This makes ticks easier to spot before they reach your skin.
Consider permethrin treatments: Treating clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin adds an extra layer of protection. Permethrin remains effective through several washings.
2. Use Effective Insect Repellents
Select proven repellents: Look for those containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.
Apply correctly: Follow the directions on the product label and reapply as recommended, especially if you’re outdoors for extended periods.
3. Conduct a Full-Body Tick Check
Check right away: Shower immediately after returning from outdoors and do a thorough tick check.
Use a mirror: Pay special attention to underarms, around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, around the hairline, and between the legs.
Wash and dry clothing: Wash outdoor clothes in hot water, then dry on high heat to kill any ticks or tick larvae.
If You Find a Tick on Your Skin: Step-by-Step Removal
Remove the Tick Promptly
Removing a tick within the first 24 hours greatly reduces the risk of disease. Use a tick removal tool (or a pair of fine-tipped tweezers if you don’t have a tick key) grasping the tick where its head meets your skin.
Pull Gently and Steadily
Pull straight back with gentle, even pressure. If small mouthparts remain embedded in your skin, leave them alone—your body will naturally expel them in time.
Save the Tick
Place the tick in a sealed plastic bag. Contact your primary care provider (PCP) to see if testing is recommended. Keep in mind that only black-legged (deer) ticks transmit Lyme disease. We recommend sending the tick to www.tickreport.com to have it tested for disease.
Observe for Symptoms
Over the next month, watch for:
A rash of any description— bullseye rashes (erythema migrans) are no longer the primary rash associated with Lyme Disease
Fever
Headache or neck stiffness
Excessive fatigue
Joint pain or swelling
Facial drooping on one side (Bell’s palsy)
Seek Medical Attention if Needed
If you notice any concerning symptoms, contact your PCP immediately or reach out to an ILADS-certified, Lyme-literate physician. Prompt treatment can significantly reduce complications.
Rehab Therapies That Help With Symptoms
Tick-borne illnesses, especially Lyme disease, may lead to lingering symptoms even after antibiotic treatment. Joint pain, fatigue, neurological issues, and other persistent symptoms can interfere with daily life.
A comprehensive rehab approach can improve mobility, reduce discomfort, and restore function. At Wayfinder, we deploy a range of rehab therapies tailored to each patient’s needs:
1. Orthopedic Physical Therapy (PT)
Targeted Exercises: Helps improve joint range of motion, muscle strength, and overall stamina while protecting your joints and managing fatigue
Pain Management Techniques: Techniques such as neurological re-education, pain reprocessing education, gentle stretching, taping, Craniosacral Therapy, and topical treatments can greatly reduce pain.
Balance and Coordination Drills: Addresses any dizziness or unsteadiness that can arise from neurological or musculoskeletal involvement.
2. Neurological Rehabilitation
Cognitive Training: For those experiencing brain fog or concentration difficulties.
Sensory Integration: Addresses hypersensitivity or altered sensation sometimes reported in tick-borne illnesses.
Gait Training: Focuses on improving walking patterns, especially if pain or coordination is affected.
3. Additional Therapeutic Techniques
Manual Therapy: Gentle, hands-on techniques to relieve muscle tension and improve joint mobility.
Mind-Body Techniques: Such as meditation, gentle yoga, or mindfulness to help manage stress and support overall well-being.
Nutritional Guidance: In collaboration with dietitians or nutritionists, nutritional guidance ensures you have the right nutrients to support recovery.
4. Outside Services such as Occupational Therapy (OT)
Daily Living Skills: Teaches strategies to conserve energy and complete tasks at home or work.
Adaptive Equipment Recommendations: Tools and techniques to reduce strain on affected joints and muscles.
Customized Activity Plans: Help you gradually return to your favorite activities like hiking in the Green Mountains or gardening, safely and comfortably.
New Advances in Lyme Disease Research
Emerging science continues to reshape how we understand Lyme disease, especially persistent symptoms that remain even after antibiotics.
A 2024 study published in mBio revealed new insights into how Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme, may evade the immune system and persist in the body.
This supports what many patients experience firsthand: that post-treatment symptoms are real, complex, and often misunderstood.
At Wayfinder, we follow this research closely to ensure our rehab therapies align with the latest science, helping patients not just recover, but thrive.
How Wayfinder Pioneered Lyme Disease Therapies in Vermont
Our multidisciplinary team understands the unique challenges faced by those with tick-borne illnesses. Our approach includes:
Individualized Assessments: We start with a thorough evaluation of your physical, cognitive, and emotional health to understand the full scope of your symptoms.
Custom Treatment Plans: Based on the assessment, we blend physical therapy, neurological rehab, and integrative methods. If you need treatments that we don’t offer in-house, we’ll connect you with trusted providers in our extensive referral network.
Collaborative Care: We collaborate with your physician or Lyme-literate specialist to ensure alignment of medical treatments and rehab therapies.
Ongoing Support: We track your progress and adjust your plan as needed, helping you regain independence, manage symptoms, and get back to Vermont’s great outdoors with confidence.
Final Thoughts: Enjoy the Vermont Outdoors Safely
Spring in Vermont is a wonderful time to enjoy our renowned hiking trails, bike paths, and gardens. By taking steps to prevent tick bites—such as dressing appropriately, using repellent, and performing daily tick checks—you can greatly reduce your risk of tick-borne illnesses.
If you do get bitten, remove the tick promptly, send it for testing and watch for any symptoms. For those dealing with prolonged or more severe effects, rehab therapies can be a game changer, helping you regain mobility, reduce pain, and improve overall well-being.
Wayfinder offers comprehensive rehab solutions tailored to the unique needs of anyone impacted by tick-borne illnesses. We’re here to support your journey to better health, so you can make the most of every season Vermont has to offer.
Additional Resources
Optimize Your Health with Wayfinder
Need more information or want to schedule a consultation?
Contact Wayfinder today to learn how our specialized rehab programs can help you or a loved one recover from tick-borne illness.
Stay safe, Vermonters, and enjoy the beauty of spring with confidence and peace of mind!
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For any health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.