Arthropod/Vector

Ticks are the leading carriers (vectors) of diseases to humans in the United States, second only to mosquitoes worldwide. It is not the tick bite, but the toxins, secretions, or organisms in the tick's saliva transmitted through the bite that causes disease.

Ticks require a "blood meal" to grow and survive, and they are not very particular upon whom or what they feed. If ticks don't find a host, they can die. Once a tick finds a host (such as a human, a pet dog or cat, a deer, or a rabbit) and a suitable site for attachment, it begins to burrow its mouthparts into exposed skin. Tick mouthparts are barbed, which helps to secure them to the host.

Often the tick secretes "cementum" to more firmly attach its mouthparts and head to the host. The saliva may also contain a blood thinner to make it easier for the tick to get its blood meal. Ticks may secrete or regurgitate small amounts of saliva that contain neurotoxins. These nerve poisons cleverly prevent the host from feeling the pain and irritation of the bite. Consequently, individuals may never notice the tick bite or its feeding. Thus tick bites are generally painless. Many people may not even notice the bite and may never find the tick if it falls off. Small ticks, like the deer tick that transmits Lyme disease, are so tiny they may be nearly undetectable. Some ticks are about as small as the period at the end of this sentence. The actual bite may cause symptoms only after the tick falls off.

However, some people may notice local redness, itching, burning, and rarely, localized intense pain (soft ticks) before or after the tick falls off. The majority of tick bites result in few, if any, immediate symptoms. The results of the illnesses transmitted by ticks often begin days to weeks after the tick is gone, so it is often difficult to know if a tick was responsible. After a tick bite, or once the symptoms develop, individuals may experience any of the following: flu-like, fever, numbness, rash, confusion, weakness, pain and swelling in joints, palpitations, shortness of breath, and nausea and vomiting.

 

Often tick-removal methods result in increasing the chances of infection. The greatest concern in removing a tick is the possible transmission of disease. Methods of removal that stimulate the tick to spit out even small amounts of their blood meal, or to pass infected saliva back into the host, may increase the likelihood of disease transmission. We DO NOT recommend commonly used methods such as: a hot match head touched to the hind parts of the tick, or covering or "painting" the tick with paint, nail polish, petroleum jelly, or gasoline. These can cause additional injury to the host (humans, dogs, cats) as well as stimulate the tick to produce more pathogen-containing secretions into the bite site.

Using a small pair of curved forceps or tweezers, carefully flip the tick over onto its back. Grasp the tick firmly with the tweezers as close to the skin as possible. Apply gentle pulling until the tick comes free. Twisting or turning the tick does not make removal easier because the mouthparts are barbed; in fact, this may break off the head and mouthparts, increasing the chances for infection. All of the head and mouthparts of the tick should be removed. The tick is attached firmly to most hosts so rough or improper handling may result in portions of the head and mouthparts remaining embedded in the skin.

This can become a site of infection and inflammation and might increase the likelihood of transmitting disease.

Treating A Tick Bite:
Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing if infected tick saliva passed from the tick to your body. If you are aware of a tick bite, the best solution is to make sure all the mouth parts have been removed. Apply some hydrogen peroxide (3%) to the bite site, then apply Liquid Detox. You may need an On-Line Consultation for the recommended Detox remedies in case you were infected with one of the common disease vectors listed below.

Disease Commonly Acquired From Ticks:

• Anaplasmosis -- vectors for Anaplasma bacteria
• Babesiosis -- vectors for Babesia, a protozoan
• Colorado tick fever -- vectors for Coltivirus, a RNA virus
• Ehrlichiosis -- vectors for Ehrlichia bacterial species
• Lyme disease -- vectors for Borrelia species of bacteria
• Powassan encephalitis -- vectors for Powassan encephalitis virus, an RNA arbovirus
• Q fever -- vectors for Coxiella burnetii, a bacterium
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever -- vectors for Rickettsia bacteria
• Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI) -- infectious agent not yet identified
• Tick-borne relapsing fever -- vectors for Borrelia species of bacteria
• Tularemia -- vectors for Francisella tularensis bacteria

Our Tick Detox Remedy is the antidote for the cementum, blood thinners like tissue factor pathway inhibitor, neurotoxins, factor x active protein, rEV576 protein, as well as some of the common chemicals used to counteract ticks, like DEET, permethrins, etc.

Remember that our Liquid Detox is one of the most effective remedies for treating/healing bites and wounds. It is powerful at helping reduce pain, swelling and itching, and is very effective at preventing infection. You can apply it directly to the bite or wound or soak the absorbent part of a band aid (3-5 drops) in Liquid Detox and apply it to the bite or wound.

The brown recluse spider's venom is extremely poisonous, even more potent than that of a rattlesnake. However, the recluse spider venom causes less disease than a rattlesnake bite because of the small quantities injected into its victims. Still, the venom of the brown recluse is toxic to cells and tissues.

Brown recluse spider bites often go unnoticed initially because they are typically painless bites. Occasionally, some minor burning that feels like a bee sting is noticed at the time of the bite. Symptoms usually develop two to eight hours after a bite. Characteristic violin-shaped markings on their backs are the reason why brown recluse spiders have also been named fiddleback spiders. Most bites cause little tissue destruction and bites from non-brown recluse spiders pose no real threat.

Brown Recluse Bite Symptoms:

• severe pain at bite site after about four hours
• severe itching
• nausea
• vomiting
• fever
• myalgias (muscle pain)

Initially the bite site is slightly red and close inspection may reveal fang marks. Often the bite site will become firm and heal with little scaring over the next few days or weeks. Occasionally, the local reaction will be more severe with erythema (redness) and blistering. This can lead to a blue discoloration and ultimately, lead to a necrotic lesion and scarring. Signs that may be present include:

• blistering (common)
• necrosis (death) of skin and subcutaneous fat (less common)
• severe destructive necrotic lesions with deep wide borders (rare)
• in severe cases, renal failure, seizures and coma, even death can occur.

After a spider bite:

• Apply ice to decrease pain and swelling (never use heat!).
• Elevate area, if possible, above the level of the heart.
• Wash the area thoroughly with cool water and mild soap.
• Avoid any strenuous activity because this can spread the spider's venom in the skin.

Warning
Our Brown Recluse Spider Detox Remedy is an antidote to the destructive cytotoxic and hemolytic poisons as well as the destructive enzymes hyaluronidase, deoxyribonuclease, ribonuclease, alkaline phosphatase, lipase. It deactivates the protein Sphingomyelinase D, C-reactive protein and balances the factors that contribute to inflammation such as histamines, cytokines, interleukins, arachidonic acid, prostaglandins, and chemotactic infiltration of neutrophils.

The most dangerous part of a brown recluse bite is not the bite itself, but the infection that sets in after the bite. Necrosis (tissue death) along the bite site can lead to serious MRSA infections and other secondary infections that can lead to wounds such as that in the photo. If you have a current bite wound, PLEASE use the Liquid Detox on the wound several times a day and take a colloidal silver (18ppm) supplement internally, possibly even externally on the wound as well.

Remember that our Liquid Detox is one of the most effective remedies for treating/healing bites and wounds. It is powerful at helping reduce pain, swelling and itching, and is very effective at preventing infection. You can apply it directly to the bite or wound or soak the absorbent part of a band aid (3-5 drops) in Liquid Detox and apply it to the bite or wound.

There are 30,000 types of spiders. The black widow is probably the one best known and feared. Spiders are often blamed for all kinds of bite symptoms, from local itching to overall rashes, but they rarely bite humans, and in fact, most spider bites do not even break the skin.

Although the spider is mostly found in the southern United States, they may be seen throughout the US. Five species are common to the US, with two of them being the most common:

• The southern black widow has a shiny, black, globular abdomen with the distinctive red hourglass on the underside.
• The northern black widow has a row of red spots down the middle of its back and two crosswise bars on its abdomen. The markings can also be yellow or white and the spider itself may be brown or have red legs.

Black widow spider bites result in a halo lesion consisting of a pale circular area surrounded by a ring of redness. The initial bite of the black widow spider is usually painful, and the victim will often see the spider during the bite. Left untreated, it can become infected and turn into what looks like a boil.

Symptoms Of A Black Widow Bite:
The severity of the reaction depends on the age and physical condition of the person bitten. Children and the elderly are more seriously affected than adults. The black widow's neurotoxic protein is one of the most potent venoms secreted by an animal. Some people are slightly affected by the venom, but others may have a severe response.

• The first symptom is acute pain at the site of the bite,double fang marks may be present. There may be a minimal reaction like local rash and itching, but it could escalate to headache and dizziness. Symptoms usually start within 20 minutes to one hour after the bite.
• Local pain may be followed by localized or generalized severe muscle cramps. Large muscle groups (such as shoulder or back) are often affected, resulting in considerable pain.
• In some cases, abdominal pain may mimic such conditions as appendicitis, gallbladder problems or pancreatitis. Chest pain may be mistaken for a heart attack.
• Eyelid swelling and/or tearing of the eyes may occur with weakness, tremors and paralysis (mainly in the legs).
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a possible reaction to the venom. The elevation of blood pressure can lead to one of the more severe complications.
• In severe cases, nausea, vomiting, fainting, dizziness, chest pain, and respiratory difficulties may follow. People rarely die from a black widow's bite. Life-threatening reactions are generally seen only in small children and the elderly.

Our Black Widow Spider Detox Remedy eliminates the venom, poison and secondary reactions that occur after a Black Widow Bite. The remedy also counteracts the common neurotoxin known as latrotoxin.

Remember that our Liquid Detox is one of the most effective remedies for treating/healing bites and wounds. It is powerful at helping reduce pain, swelling and itching, and is very effective at preventing infection. You can apply it directly to the bite or wound or soak the absorbent part of a band aid (3-5 drops) in Liquid Detox and apply it to the bite or wound.

There are 1500 scorpion species, but only 50 are dangerous to humans. Scorpion stings cause a wide range of conditions from severe local skin reactions to neurologic, respiratory, and cardiovascular collapse. The venom from most scorpions results in a simple and painful, local reaction. The 'unpleasant' scorpions in North America are typically found in Arizona, New Mexico and on the Californian side of the Colorado River, whereas the other North American species are fairly harmless. The potency of the venom varies with the species, some produce only a mild flu and others produce death within an hour.

The estimated annual number of scorpion stings is 1.2 million leading to 3,250 deaths (0.27%). For every person killed by a poisonous snake, 10 are killed by a poisonous scorpion. In Mexico, 1000 deaths from scorpion stings occur per year. In the United States, only 4 deaths in 11 years have occurred as a result of scorpion stings. Scorpions can also be found outside their normal habitat, like when they crawl into luggage, boxes, containers, or shoes and are unwittingly transported home via human travelers.

A Sting Victim Describes It As:

(no hospital visit required)
• little bumps around the sting site
• sharp pain up through my armpit
• a feeling like your throat is closing (but it isn't)
• numbness everywhere... "As the night progressed, my whole face was numb and I couldn't focus on anything."
• tingling, like when your foot falls asleep, but you can't wake it up.
• After 6 to 8 hours the problems and symptoms related to the scorpion sting started to dissipate. Twelve hours after being stung by the scorpion, I still had numb feet, hands, nose and ears. Those effects remained for a large part of the next day. My feet were the last to feel normal, soaking them in a spa helped. According to Poison Control, some of the numbness can last several weeks.

9-1-1 HELP
A scorpion sting should be considered serious if malaise, sweating, heart palpitations, rise in blood pressure, salivation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea occur. These symptoms should be treated in a similar way to snake bites and a doctor should be consulted as quickly as possible. A serious allergy to the venom is occurring if reactions like blurring of vision, unconsciousness, convulsions, drop in blood pressure, or shock. Consequently the threat of death may occur.

Our Scorpion Detox Remedy works as an antidote to the varying concentrations of neurotoxin, cardiotoxin, nephrotoxin, hemolytic toxin, phosphodiesterases, phospholipases, hyaluronidases, glycosaminoglycans, histamine, serotonin, tryptophan, and cytokine releasers which cause the typical neuromuscular, neuroautonomic, or local tissue reactions. It also balances the voltage dependent sodium and potassium channels. These act as moderators for the typical venom reaction and release of excessive neurotransmitters such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, glutamate, and aspartate. Meanwhile, the short polypeptide neurotoxin blocks the potassium channels.

Remember that our Liquid Detox is one of the most effective remedies for treating/healing bites and wounds. It is powerful at helping reduce pain, swelling and itching, and is very effective at preventing infection. You can apply it directly to the bite or wound or soak the absorbent part of a band aid (3-5 drops) in Liquid Detox and apply it to the bite or wound.

Mosquitoes are vector agents that carry disease from person to person without catching the disease themselves. When a mosquito bites, it also injects saliva and anti-coagulants into the blood which often contain disease-causing viruses or other parasites. Mosquitoes are estimated to transmit disease to more than 700 million people annually with millions of resulting deaths. Of the known 14,000 infectious microorganisms, 600 are shared between animals and humans. Mosquitoes are known to carry many infectious diseases from several different classes of microorganisms.

One example is the mosquito genus Anopheles which carries the malaria parasite. Malaria causes more than 2 million deaths annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Some species of mosquito can carry the filariasis worm, a parasite that causes a disfiguring condition often referred to as elephantiasis and is characterized by a great swelling of several parts of the body. Currently there are 40 million people living with a filariasis disability.

Mosquitoes or ticks are arthropods that carry viruses known collectively as arboviruses. The viral diseases yellow fever and dengue fever are transmitted mostly by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Other viral diseases like epidemic polyarthritis, Rift Valley fever, Ross River Fever, St. Louis encephalitis, West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis, La Crosse encephalitis and several other encephalitis type diseases are carried by several different mosquitoes. Eastern equine encephalitis and Western equine encephalitis transmitted in the United States causes diseases in humans, horses, and some bird species.

Sometimes you don't see what it was that snacked on you, so you may feel anxious or nervous about it. Mosquito bites are fairly recognizable by the pale halo around the dot-like bite. This is called a "wheal". Depending on your reaction time, itching and swelling can occur from moments or up to twenty four hours after the bite. Interestingly enough, the first time a mosquito bites, there is no reaction. As you attract more mosquitoes and bites over time, your body begins to react to the proteins and enzymes. That is when the red bumps appear, usually within a day. More mosquito bites begin to produce a faster reaction and the swollen hive or wheal rises up within minutes instead of hours. Some people become immune to bites and show no reaction when bit; others may develop a mosquito bite allergy and exhibit more severe reactions to the bites such as blistering, bruising, extreme swelling, and prolonged itching.

Scientists have even discovered that the specific cells in the mosquito's "nose" identify the chemicals which make up the human odor; to the mosquito, some people just smell better and are more appealing to their senses. An extra whiff of carbon dioxide or a little extra perspiration and the mosquito is ready to target you specifically, even in a crowd. This explains why at a picnic or a backyard barbecue, there's always one person who seems to be the main course in the mosquito bite buffet while others are not even bothered by a single pest. The old joke about being extra "sweet" to the taste of mosquitoes is actually true.

If you appear to be one of those people specially targeted by mosquitos, it is likely that you are a chest breather rather than a belly breather making your carbon dioxide content higher. To ensure belly breathing, take a deep breath, your belly should expand much more than your chest does. Mosquitos are attracted to higher heat, so darker colors attract heat making you a likely target. You might also be deficient in one or more of the B vitamins. There are a variety of natural sprays you can make at home to repel mosquitos, search the internet for one you might like.

Our Mosquito Detox Remedy helps your body resist any infection or disease delivered by mosquito's saliva or anti-coagulants. It also balances the antibodies that develop when a person reacts to mosquito bites, like the welts and hives that typically occur. It also detoxes the chemicals often used to repel mosquitos, like DEET, citronella chemicals, etc.

Remember that our Liquid Detox is one of the most effective remedies for treating/healing bites and wounds. It is powerful at helping reduce pain, swelling and itching, and is very effective at preventing infection. You can apply it directly to the bite or wound or soak the absorbent part of a band aid (3-5 drops) in Liquid Detox and apply it to the bite or wound.

Three types of lice infest humans: the body louse and the head louse (which look identical) and the crab louse (or pubic louse). The condition of being infested with head lice, body lice, or pubic lice is known as pediculosis. Body lice are spread through prolonged direct physical contact with a person who has body lice or through contact with articles such as clothing, beds, bed linens, or towels that have been in contact with an infested person.

Body lice are not only a nuisance, they cause intense itching. They are also vectors (transmitters) of other diseases. Body lice can spread epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever. Louse-borne (epidemic) typhus is no longer widespread, but outbreaks of this disease still occur during times of war, civil unrest, natural or man-made disasters, and in prisons where people live together in unsanitary conditions. Louse-borne typhus still exists in places where climate, chronic poverty, social customs or war and social upheaval prevent regular changes and laundering of clothing. These are only the diseases that research has identified. Minimal research has been done to determine what other viruses and bacteria the louse may be transmitting.

Body lice frequently lay their eggs on or near the seams of clothing. Body lice must feed on blood and usually only move to the skin to eat. The louse bites through the skin and injects saliva which prevents blood from clotting; it then sucks blood into its digestive tract. Bloodsucking may continue for a long period if the louse is not disturbed. While feeding, lice may excrete dark red feces onto the skin. Body lice exist worldwide and infest people of all races. Body lice infestations can spread rapidly under crowded living conditions where hygiene is poor (homeless, refugees, victims of war or natural disasters).

A body lice infestation is treated by improving the personal hygiene of the infested person, including a regular change of clean clothes. Clothing, bedding, and towels used by the infested person should be laundered using hot water (at least 130 °F or 54 °C) and machine dried using the hot cycle. Head lice and pubic lice are highly dependent upon human body warmth and will die if separated from their host for 24 hours. Body lice are more resilient since they live on clothing and can survive if separated from human contact for up to a week without feeding. Occasionally the infested person may be prescribed a pediculicide (a medicine that can kill lice); this is not generally necessary if hygiene is maintained and items are laundered appropriately at least once a week.

Delousing can usually be achieved by boiling all clothes and bedding, or washing them at a high temperature. A temperature of 130 °F or 54 °C for 5 minutes will kill most of the adults and prevent eggs from hatching. Leaving the clothes unwashed, but unworn for a full week, also results in the death of lice and eggs. Unlike Bed Bugs, Lice cannot live in carpet and furniture for more than a week. If you believe your house is infested, simply leaving your home for a week and cleaning your body before you come home will ensure freedom of Lice.

However, cleansing your body of Lice may not always be so simple. Combing is the oldest, safest, non-toxic method of lice control; nit combs have been found in Egyptian tombs. Combing is completely safe and although it requires patience from both parent and child, it is effective. You can completely avoid insecticide shampoos/rinses if you comb the hair to remove lice and nits, but you must be diligent. Even if you use an insecticidal shampoo, combing is the only way to remove eggs/nits from the hair. There is an electronic comb on the market, called the Robi Comb™ that will detect live head lice. It is an electronic comb with metal-coated teeth powered by one AA battery. It emits a soft, high pitched hum and when the metal teeth trap live lice, the humming stops.

Some home remedies that have been used include cooking oil, mayonnaise, vinegar and other combinations. However, studies have shown lice can survive in hair covered with olive oil, mayonnaise and even petroleum jelly; even when it is left on the hair overnight. Shampooing with ordinary shampoo won't kill lice. Lice can survive through two consecutive shampooings, even when the hair is not rinsed for an hour after the second shampooing. Lice don't drown easily. Research has shown lice can survive when immersed in water for 14 hours at 86-98 degrees F. Natural food markets sell a Tea Tree based shampoo known to help cleanse the scalp of lice, but it is intended to be used synergistically with the combing. Red Cedar Oil is often used by the military as a safe, effective remedy for bed bugs, you can find this online and use as directed. Anise oil and ylang yland essential oils are reported to help.

Our Lice Detox Remedy is not for the removal of lice, it is for detoxing the many issues that are caused by the louse bite. The remedy detoxifies lice saliva and the many toxins people put on lice bites which include pyrethrins, malathion, lindane shampoos, etc.

Remember that our Liquid Detox is one of the most effective remedies for treating/healing bites and wounds. It is powerful at helping reduce pain, swelling and itching, and is very effective at preventing infection. You can apply it directly to the bite or wound or soak the absorbent part of a band aid (3-5 drops) in Liquid Detox and apply it to the bite or wound.

There are over 200 types of jellyfish that have been documented. Jellyfish are found throughout the world, but the most deadly are found in the Indo-Pacific and Australian waters. Jellyfish are free-swimming, non-aggressive, gelatinous marine animals surrounded by tentacles. These tentacles are covered with tiny stinging structures called nematocysts. When you come in contact with a jellyfish tentacle, millions of nematocysts fill with pressure until they burst. This releases a lance that pierces the victim's skin and injects the venom. Depending on the type of jellyfish, the sting can feel like a mild prick to extreme pain. Beached jellyfish can also sting, so if you see one washed up on the beach, stay away.

Symptoms include:

• Symptoms include: intense, stinging pain; itching; rash; and raised welts.
• The progressive effects of a jellyfish sting may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lymph node swelling, abdominal pain, numbness/tingling, and muscle spasms.
• Severe reactions can cause difficulty breathing, coma, and death.
• A sting from a box jellyfish, considered the most venomous creature in the sea, can cause death in minutes.

Remove any tentacles with a stick or a pair of tweezers. Soak or rinse the area in vinegar (acetic acid) for 15-30 minutes to stop the nematocysts from releasing their toxins. If you do not have vinegar available, fresh urine is not only a good alternative but often better than vinegar! Soaking an Ace bandage or piece of shirt in urine or vinegar and wrapping the site firmly can be very helpful. You may also use 70% isopropyl alcohol. Do not use fresh water. Fresh water will cause the nematocysts to continue to release their toxin. For the same reason, do not rub the area, apply ice or hot water.

As soon as you can, apply shaving cream or a paste of baking soda to the area. Shave the area with a razor or credit card to remove any adherent nematocysts (little barbs still in the skin). Then reapply urine, vinegar or alcohol. The shaving cream or paste prevents nematocysts that have not been activated from releasing their toxin during removal with the razor.

Eye stings should be rinsed with a commercial saline solution like Artificial Tears; dab the skin around the eyes with a towel that has been soaked in vinegar. Do not place vinegar directly in the eyes.

Mouth stings should be treated with diluted vinegar. Mix ¼ cup of vinegar with ¾ cup of water. Gargle and spit out the solution. Do not drink or swallow the solution.

9-1-1 HELP!
You may need emergency medical attention if you have difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, or intense pain at the site of the sting. Also if the person has been stung in the mouth or placed tentacles in their mouth and are having voice changes, difficulty swallowing, or swelling of the tongue or lips. If the sting happens to children or senior citizens. If the sting involves a large area of the body, the face, or genitals.

Our Jellyfish Detox Remedy detoxifies the toxin that causes sodium and calcium ion transport abnormalities. It also detoxifies catecholamines, vasoactive amines (eg, histamine, serotonin), kinins, collagenases, hyaluronidases, proteases, phospholipases, fibrinolysins, dermatoneurotoxins, cardiotoxins, neurotoxins, nephrotoxins, myotoxins, and antigenic proteins.

Remember that our Liquid Detox is one of the most effective remedies for treating/healing bites and wounds. It is powerful at helping reduce pain, swelling and itching, and is very effective at preventing infection. You can apply it directly to the bite or wound or soak the absorbent part of a band aid (3-5 drops) in Liquid Detox and apply it to the bite or wound.

 

House flies cannot bite, but they have sponging mouthparts and may play an important role in disease transmission to humans and animals. House flies serve as carriers of disease agents due to their feeding on animal wastes, garbage, and human foods. House flies are known to carry bacteria and viruses that cause conditions such as diarrhea, cholera, food poisoning, yaws, dysentery, and eye infections. There are many bacteria and parasites that infest the fly, making flies a major factor in spreading many diseases by touching surfaces with their legs or their saliva. After walking on excrement, flies may carry up to as many as 6 million bacteria on their feet!

Here are some examples of the diseases some flies are known to help spread.

• Eye gnats are small bugs that live off the eye fluid where they can be found congregating. They are a nuisance and do not bite, but are known to cause mammary cancers and disease among cows in North America.
• There are many species of gall gnats which are known to cause damage to wheat crops as the larvae feed on plants and cause abnormal plant growths called galls.
• Sand gnats, also known as no-see-ums, chitras, punkies, or sand fleas, are biting, blood sucking gnats found in sandy areas. The bites leave large red bumps and rashes.
• Dark-winged fungus gnats are found in moist environments and are a problem in mushroom farms and household plants.
• Midges are very tiny two-winged flying insects. Some midges bite and spread livestock disease, others do not bite. They live in water during the larval stage. The larvae are also called blood worms.

Diseases Caused By Flies

• Leishmaniasis is caused by a parasitic protozoan transmitted by the bite of sand flies. Symptoms of this disease may include: fever, weakness, swollen spleen, and skin sores.
• Trypanosomiasis is a sleeping sickness and epidemic caused by a protozan blood parasite called Trypanosoma. It is trasmitted by the salivary glands of infected Tsetse flies in Africa. Symptoms include: sores similar to boils at the site of the bite, fever, headaches, and severe illness.
• Myiasis occurs mostly on animals such as dogs, sheep and cows, but occasionally it may occur on humans, frequently carried by the Cheese Skipper fly. It is transmitted by a fly that lays its eggs on the skin of another organism. The larvae can burrow into the skin or penetrate into open wounds. Symptoms include: violent abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea with bloody discharge.
• Dysentery is a chronic disease that affects the large intestine in humans. The parasite Entamoeba histolytica is the cause of this disease. This particular parasite can be found in uncooked meats and may be transported by flies. This disease is characteristic of severe diarrhea and stomach cramps.
• Onchocerciasis, also known as River Blindness, is an infectious cause of blindness. It is carried by a minute nematode worm that is spread by the Simulium black fly.
• Bartonellosis is caused by the rickettsia organism, transmitted by the bite of a Sand Fly. Victims are usually exhausted from anemia, and experience a high fever and wart-like eruptions on the skin.
• Flies rummaging around excrement may come across bacteria known as Salmonella Typhi, which may come from a person shedding it. This disease, called typhoid, is a type of fever. Symptoms include: a body temperature as high as 103° to 104° F (39° to 40° C), weakness, stomach pains, headaches, and/or loss of appetite.
• Leprosy, also known as Hansen's Disease, is a chronic disease that affects mainly the skin. It is caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae, which may be carried by flies from rotted foods. An early symptom is anesthesia (or the numbness) of a patch of skin. Some muscles may be paralyzed. Because of the numbness of some nerves, injuries to the area are not noticed.

Remember that our Liquid Detox is one of the most effective remedies for treating/healing bites and wounds. It is powerful at helping reduce pain, swelling and itching, and is very effective at preventing infection. You can apply it directly to the bite or wound or soak the absorbent part of a band aid (3-5 drops) in Liquid Detox and apply it to the bite or wound.

Fleas are wingless insects with mouthparts that look like tubes and are adept at piercing skin and sucking blood. They are usually dark in color with long legs, the hind pair well adapted for jumping. A flea can jump vertically up to 7 inches (18 cm) and horizontally up to 13 inches (33 cm). This is nearly 200 times their own body length, making the flea one of the best jumpers of all known species. The flea body is hard, polished, and covered with lots of hairs and short spines directed backward, which also assist its movements on the host. Their tough body is able to withstand great pressure. Even a hard squeezing between the fingers is normally insufficient to kill a flea.

Some people and animals suffer allergic reactions to flea saliva resulting in rashes. Flea bites generally result in the formation of a slightly raised, swollen itchy spot with a single puncture point at the center (similar to a mosquito bite, see photo below). The bites often appear in clusters or lines of two bites and can remain itchy and inflamed for up to several weeks.

Pulicosis is a skin condition caused by several species of fleas. These include: the cat flea, dog flea, human flea, moorhen flea and rat flea. The condition can manifest after only one flea bite and may not even be noticed. Within minutes skin irritation begins. This can range from extremely mild to severe. After 48-72 hours, a more severe form may begin to spread throughout the body. Symptoms include: swelling of the bitten area, redness, ulcers of the mouth and throat, irritation and tenderness of the areolas. Within one week the condition may spread through the lymph nodes and begin affecting the central nervous system, which is a serious condition! Permanent nerve damage can occur.

Besides the problems posed by the creature itself, fleas can also carry several diseases. Fleas transmit a variety of viral, bacterial and rickettsial diseases to humans and other animals. They also deliver protozoans and helminthes (worms). Fleas have assisted in the spread of epidemics, such as transmitting Yersinia pestis bacteria rodents and humans which caused the bubonic plague. Fleas can transmit Yersinia pestis, Rickettsia typhi, Rickettsia felis, Bartonella henselae, Trypanosome protozoans and Hymenolepiasis tapeworm.

The total life span of a flea can be as short as two weeks, but may be several months in ideal conditions. Female fleas can lay 500 or more eggs in their lifetime, allowing for phenomenal growth rates. If you suspect fleas, the first thing you need to do is look for flea feces. This will be small grains of what appears to be dirt. If you take this 'dirt' and rub it between your fingers with a small amount of water and it turns red you've found your proof. This is because flea feces contains dried blood. Get a flea comb and use it as directed on each family member and pet, then proceed to clean the home.

More than three quarters of a flea's life is spent somewhere other than on the host animal so it is not adequate to treat only the host; it is important to also treat the host's environment. Combating a flea infestation in the home requires patience because for every flea found, there could be many more developing in the home. Humidity is critical to flea survival. Eggs need relative humidity of at least 70–75% to hatch and larvae need at least 50% humidity to survive. In humid areas, about 20% of the eggs survive to adulthood; in arid areas, less than 5% complete the cycle. Fleas thrive at higher temperatures, but need 70° to 90°F (21° to 32°C) to survive. Lower temperatures slow down or completely interrupt the flea life-cycle. Borax dehydrates the fleas so sprinkle it on the carpet and run a broom over it. Then let it sit for an hour and vacuum thoroughly. A laboratory study done at the University of California showed that vacuuming catches about 96% of adult fleas. Make sure the vacuum bag is eliminated from your home. A combination of controlled humidity, temperature, and vacuuming should eliminate fleas from an environment. Altering even one of these environmental factors may be enough to drastically lower and eliminate an infestation. Red Cedar Oil. Often used by the military as a safe, effective remedy for bed bugs, you can find this online and use as directed.

Our Flea Detox Remedy is not for the removal of fleas, but for detoxing the many issues that are caused by flea bites. The remedy detoxifies flea saliva, poisons and the many toxins people put on flea bites including: lufenuron, imidacloprid, permethrin, and (S)-methoprene, acetylcholinesterase, antihistamines or hydrocortisone and Calamine lotion.

Remember that our Liquid Detox is one of the most effective remedies for treating/healing bites and wounds. It is powerful at helping reduce pain, swelling and itching, and is very effective at preventing infection. You can apply it directly to the bite or wound or soak the absorbent part of a band aid (3-5 drops) in Liquid Detox and apply it to the bite or wound.

Chiggers are not bugs or any other type of insect. Chiggers are the juvenile (or larval) form of a specific family of mites, the Trombiculidae. Mites are arachnids, like spiders and scorpions, and are closely related to ticks. Chiggers dine on us only in their childhood and later become vegetarians that live on soil. Chiggers are born red, they do not become red from feeding on blood as some believe. An engorged, well fed chigger changes to a yellow color.

One of the greatest misconceptions about chiggers is that they burrow into our skin and eventually die within the tissues, thus causing the persistent itch. Chiggers are not equipped to burrow. Chiggers do bite us, much like ticks do. Chiggers attach by inserting minute specialized mouth parts into skin depressions, usually at skin pores or hair follicles. The chigger's piercing mouth parts are short and delicate. They can only penetrate thin skin or where the skin wrinkles and folds. That's why most chigger bites are around the ankles, the back of the knees, around the groin, under the belt line and in the armpits.

The bite is actually not the source of the itch.

The reason the bite itches so intensely and for such a long time is that the chigger injects saliva into its victim after attaching to the skin. This saliva contains a powerful digestive enzyme that literally dissolves the skin cells it contacts. It is this liquefied skin tissue, not blood, that the chigger ingests and uses for food. A chigger usually goes unnoticed for one to three hours after it starts feeding. During this time period, the chigger quietly injects its digestive saliva. After a few hours your skin reacts by hardening the cells on all sides of the saliva path eventually forming a hard, tube-like structure called a stylostome.

The combination of salivary enzymes and the stylostome irritates and inflames the surrounding tissue and causes the characteristic red welt and intense itch. The longer the chigger feeds, the deeper the stylostome grows, and the larger the welt will eventually become. The concept that the welt swells and eventually engulfs the feeding chiggers is also a myth. Most people assume the small red dot inside a welt (usually under a water blister) is the chigger body, but it is actually the stylostome tube. Often the first time you brush or scratch the bite site, you knock off the chigger (which consequently kills it).

Itching usually peaks a day or two after the bite occurs. This happens because the stylostome remains imbedded in your skin tissue long after the chigger is gone. Your skin continues to itch, an allergic reaction to stylostome, for many days. The stylostome is eventually absorbed by your body, a slow process that can take a week to 10 days or more.

The itching reaction human skin has to chigger bites occurs because we are not their correct hosts. Chiggers that specifically prey on humans in Asia and the Pacific Islands cause no itching! It is small comfort to learn that North American chiggers only bite humans by accident. Although North American chiggers can feed on most animals, they prefer reptiles and birds.

The best prevention against chigger bites is simply taking a warm soapy bath with plenty of scrubbing as soon as possible after exposure. If you bathe immediately while the chiggers are still running over your body, you can wash them off before they bite. A bath will also remove any attached and feeding chiggers before you start to feel the itch. Warm soapy water is all that is necessary to remove and kill chiggers. Attached chiggers are removed by even the lightest rubbing. If you are not close to a bath or shower facility, you can remove attached chiggers by rubbing down with a towel or a cloth.

The absolute most effective and time-proven repellent for chiggers is sulphur. Chiggers hate sulphur and definitely avoid it. Powdered sulphur, called sublimed sulphur or flowers of sulfur, is available through most pharmacies. Dust the powdered sulphur around the opening of your pants, socks and boots. If you plan to venture into a heavily infested area, powdered sulphur can be rubbed on the skin of your legs, arms and abdomen. Some people rub on a mixture of half talcum powder and half sulphur.

Our Chigger/Mite Detox Remedy effectively dissolves the stylostome, the components in chigger saliva. It will also detoxify the effects of the chemicals people use and react to in the attempt to stop the itching, such as benzocaine, camphor-phenol and ammonium hydroxide.

Remember that our Liquid Detox is one of the most effective remedies for treating/healing bites and wounds. It is powerful at helping reduce pain, swelling and itching, and is very effective at preventing infection. You can apply it directly to the bite or wound or soak the absorbent part of a band aid (3-5 drops) in Liquid Detox and apply it to the bite or wound.

Chigger Prevention
It is not effective and can actually be quite dangerous to apply household products such as kerosene, turpentine, ammonia, alcohol, gasoline or dry-cleaning fluid to attached chiggers. The nail polish application is also a myth. If it seems to relieve any symptoms it is only because it temporarily seals off the wound from oxygen exposure.