Dr. Colbert’s Broadcast • Lyme Disease & Tick Safety • Episode 3
Lyme Disease Is Spreading Fast | How to Spot an Infected Tick | Dr. Don Colbert, MD Ep. 3
A tick can be smaller than a poppy seed, its bite may go unnoticed, and the classic bull’s-eye rash does not appear in every case. In this episode, Dr. Don Colbert, MD and Mary Colbert explain which ticks are associated with Lyme disease, the warning signs that deserve attention, how to remove a tick correctly, and the prevention steps families, hikers, hunters, pet owners, and outdoor workers should know.
This article is educational and is not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Tickborne illnesses can progress quickly and may resemble other conditions. Contact a qualified healthcare professional if you develop a spreading rash, fever, facial weakness, severe headache, neck stiffness, heart palpitations, breathing difficulty, new neurological symptoms, or illness after a known or possible tick exposure. Do not take antibiotics or other prescription medications without medical supervision.
Why Lyme disease deserves more attention
Lyme disease is the most frequently diagnosed vector-borne illness in the United States. The CDC estimates that approximately 476,000 people may be diagnosed and treated each year. That estimate is not the same as the number of confirmed surveillance cases, but it shows how large the clinical burden has become.
Risk is not evenly distributed. Lyme disease remains most concentrated in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Upper Midwest, with additional risk along parts of the Pacific Coast. However, tick ranges and human exposure patterns continue to change. Outdoor recreation, expanding development near wooded habitats, wildlife movement, warmer seasonal conditions, and increased recognition all contribute to the growing conversation.
Clinical clarification: The broadcast briefly mentions speculation about Lyme disease originating from laboratory activity. Reliable public-health and scientific sources identify Lyme disease as a naturally occurring tickborne infection that was recognized clinically in Connecticut and whose bacterial cause was later discovered. There is no credible evidence establishing a laboratory release as its origin.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
— Dr. Don Colbert, MD
Know the tick before you assume the disease
Not every tick transmits Lyme disease. The episode distinguishes three ticks that people commonly confuse:
| Tick | What to notice | Associated concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Blacklegged or deer tick | Dark legs; nymphs can be about the size of a poppy seed | Primary U.S. vector for Lyme disease; can also transmit other pathogens |
| American dog tick | Larger body with pale or patterned markings | Can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia; not the main Lyme vector |
| Lone star tick | Adult female often has a single pale spot on the back | Associated with ehrlichiosis and alpha-gal syndrome; not considered a competent Lyme vector |
Why nymphs matter: They are extremely small, active during warmer months, and easily missed during a quick inspection. Many people never feel the bite.
The delayed red-meat reaction many people miss
Dr. Colbert also discusses alpha-gal syndrome, a potentially serious allergy that can develop after certain tick bites, most often associated in the United States with the lone star tick. Unlike many food allergies, symptoms often begin several hours after eating mammalian meat or exposure to another alpha-gal-containing product.
Hives, swelling, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulty, dizziness, or anaphylaxis.
Symptoms commonly occur about 2–6 hours after exposure, which can make the trigger difficult to identify.
Lyme disease symptoms: early clues and later complications
The most useful takeaway from the episode is that Lyme disease does not always look dramatic at first. Early symptoms may resemble the flu, and the rash can vary considerably.
Early localized illness
Early symptoms commonly begin 3–30 days after a bite and may include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, and joint aches.
Erythema migrans rash: This expanding rash occurs in roughly 70–80% of infected people. It may form a target-like pattern, but it can also appear as a uniformly red or warm expanding patch. It is often not painful or itchy.
Early disseminated illness
Untreated infection can spread and may cause facial palsy, severe headache or neck stiffness, nerve pain, numbness, additional rashes, heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Facial drooping or cardiac symptoms warrant prompt medical evaluation because stroke, heart disease, and other emergencies must also be ruled out.
Later manifestations
Months after untreated infection, some people develop arthritis, especially swelling and pain in larger joints such as the knees. Neurological complications can also occur. Persistent symptoms require careful medical evaluation rather than assuming every case is active ongoing infection.
How to remove a tick correctly
Fast, careful removal reduces risk. Do not wait for the tick to detach on its own.
- 1Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
- 2Pull straight upward with steady pressure. Do not twist, crush, jerk, or squeeze the tick’s body.
- 3Clean the area and your hands. Use soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
- 4Record the date and location. A clear photo of the tick and bite area may help a clinician evaluate species, engorgement, exposure risk, and symptom timing.
Do not use: petroleum jelly, nail polish, essential oils, heat, a lit match, gasoline, or other methods intended to smother or irritate the tick. These methods delay removal and may increase the chance of the tick releasing fluids.
Testing and treatment: what readers should understand
Lyme disease is diagnosed by combining symptoms, exposure history, physical findings, and laboratory testing when appropriate. Early blood tests can be falsely negative because antibodies may take several weeks to develop. A characteristic expanding erythema migrans rash in a person with relevant exposure may allow a clinician to diagnose and treat without waiting for a positive blood test.
The episode discusses commercial tick-testing laboratories. Saving a tick for species identification and evaluation of engorgement may be useful, but a tick’s laboratory result should not replace clinical evaluation. A positive tick does not prove transmission occurred, and a negative result does not exclude another exposure or pathogen.
Post-exposure antibiotics: A single dose of doxycycline may be considered after certain high-risk blacklegged-tick bites when specific criteria are met, including likely attachment for at least 36 hours and treatment within 72 hours of removal. This is a medical decision. It is not automatically appropriate after every tick bite.
The prevention plan that matters most
Dr. Colbert repeatedly emphasizes prevention. The most effective approach uses several layers rather than relying on one spray or one quick check.
- ✓Treat clothing and gear appropriately. Use products containing permethrin only as directed on clothing, footwear, tents, or gear. Do not apply fabric-only permethrin products directly to skin.
- ✓Use an EPA-registered skin repellent. Effective active ingredients include DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus/PMD, and 2-undecanone. Follow age restrictions and label directions.
- ✓Dress strategically. Wear long pants, closed shoes or boots, and light-colored clothing that makes crawling ticks easier to see.
- ✓Stay in the center of trails. Avoid brushing against tall grass, leaf litter, and dense vegetation when possible.
- ✓Shower soon after outdoor exposure. Inspect the body before and after showering.
- ✓Dry clothing on high heat when appropriate. Check garment instructions and follow CDC guidance for killing ticks on dry or damp clothing.
The seven places people forget to check
Quick reference: what to do after a tick bite
| Step | Action | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Remove | Use fine-tipped tweezers and pull straight up | Prompt removal lowers exposure time |
| Clean | Wash the bite and hands | Reduces local contamination |
| Document | Photograph the tick, bite, and date | Helps evaluate species, size, and timing |
| Assess | Consider region, species, engorgement, and attachment time | Determines whether medical prophylaxis may be considered |
| Watch | Monitor for rash, fever, fatigue, swollen nodes, pain, facial weakness, or cardiac symptoms | Symptoms may appear days to weeks later |
Faith, knowledge, and responsible action
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” — Hosea 4:6
Mary Colbert closes the episode by connecting faith with practical wisdom. The message is not to live in fear of the outdoors. It is to use knowledge, preparation, prompt action, and appropriate medical care so that preventable exposure does not become a long-term health problem.
Products discussed in this episode
No Divine Health dietary supplement was specifically recommended or named in Episode 3. The prevention products discussed were over-the-counter tick repellents and fabric treatments. Use only EPA-registered products and follow the product label. For Divine Health educational resources and wellness products, visit DivineHealth.com.
Watch, share, and protect someone you love
Send this episode to parents, grandparents, hunters, hikers, campers, gardeners, pet owners, and anyone who spends time near wooded or grassy areas. One careful tick check can prevent weeks or months of uncertainty.
Sources and further reading
