Comprehensive, whole-patient care for tick-borne illness and alpha-gal syndrome.
Is The Tick Center Right for You?
The Tick Center is designed for patients who need more than a standard visit can offer. If any of the following describe you, we may be the right fit:
You have been diagnosed with Lyme disease or another tick-borne illness and are still experiencing symptoms after treatment.
You may have alpha-gal syndrome — or you've had unexplained allergic reactions after eating red meat or using certain medications.
You are dealing with persistent fatigue, joint pain, or cognitive symptoms that haven't been fully explained or resolved.
You want a coordinated care team — not a series of unconnected referrals — that combines medicine, nutrition, and integrative therapies.
You are newly diagnosed and want a comprehensive evaluation and a clear path forward.
You are a regular visitor or year-round Island resident with significant tick exposure and concerns about your health and are looking for a longitudinal plan of care - not a one-time specialist visit.
No referral needed. Contact us directly at 508-693-4400 x.101 or tickcenter@mvmed.org.
Conditions We Treat
Alpha-Gal Syndrome
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is an allergic condition triggered by a lone star tick bite that can sensitize the immune system to react allergically to a sugar molecule found in mammalian meat (like beef, pork, and lamb), milk and dairy products, gelatin, medications, medical products (like heparin and vaccines), personal care products (like lotion and make-up), and many other items. Symptoms range from hives and gastrointestinal distress to severe anaphylaxis. AGS is frequently missed or misdiagnosed.
The Tick Center offers dedicated AGS evaluation, IgE testing, dietary counseling, and emerging desensitization therapies.
Chronic & Complex Tick-Borne Illness
Some patients continue experiencing significant symptoms months or years after a tick-borne infection. On Martha's Vineyard, ticks can transmit multiple illnesses, including Lyme disease, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Borrelia miyamotoi, Tularemia, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Co-infections involving more than one of these pathogens are common and can complicate both diagnosis and recovery, often causing symptoms that persist long after initial treatment.
This condition is sometimes called Chronic Lyme or Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome. Standard testing may come back negative even when symptoms persist, and co-infections are frequently missed by routine panels.
The Tick Center has access to specialty laboratory testing and supportive protocols designed for these patients.
How tick-borne conditions spread
Lyme disease is most commonly transmitted through the bite of black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks, which must typically be attached for 36 to 48 hours to transmit the disease (though it is possible for transmission to occur sooner); alpha-gal syndrome is triggered by the bite of the lone star tick, which injects a sugar molecule from its saliva into the bloodstream upon biting.
Identifying a Tick You Have Removed
Martha's Vineyard is home to a number of tick species that bite humans. Knowing which tick bit you matters: different species carry different diseases (or allergies, and species identification can guide your clinical evaluation.
Deer Tick (Black-Legged Tick)
Larva · Nymph · Adult male · Adult female · Image: CDC / Public domain, Inter-Island Public Health
Diseases carried: Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, Powassan virus, borrelia miyamotoi
Appearance: Very small — a nymph is the size of a poppy seed. Adult females are reddish-orange with a dark scutum. Males are uniformly dark brown. All life stages bite humans.
Peak activity: Nymphs are most dangerous May through July. Adults are active fall through early spring whenever temperatures exceed 40 degrees.
Lone Star Tick
Larva · Nymph · Adult male · Adult female (note white dot)
Images: CDC / Public domain; Inter-Island Public Health
Diseases carried: Ehrlichiosis, tularemia, STARI, and the primary cause of alpha-gal syndrome
Appearance: Reddish-brown. Females have a single distinctive white dot on their back — the “lone star.” Larger than a deer tick nymph, smaller than a dog tick.
Peak activity: Larvae and nymphs are active spring through summer. Formerly rare on the Island, now fully established and abundant.
American Dog Tick
Adult male · Adult female · Larvae and nymphs rarely bite humans
Images: Inter-Island Public Health
Diseases carried: Tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Appearance: Large and easy to spot. Mottled brown-and-cream patterning. Noticeably larger than both the deer tick and lone star tick. Found at the ends of grasses in dunes and meadows.
Peak activity: Adults are active spring through fall.
Tick Identification Resources
TickSpotters (URI)
The University of Rhode Island TickEncounter Program provides free photo-based identification by tick experts, plus a science-based risk assessment. Submit a photo and receive expert feedback. Visit uri.edu/tickencounter.
Inter-Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative
The Inter-Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative maintains a dedicated tick identification page with photos of each Island species at every life stage.View the ID guide.
Tick Report (Lab Testing)
For patients who want to know what pathogens the tick was carrying. This is a paid PCR-based set of lab tests that can detect Lyme, babesia, anaplasmosis, and seven other tick-borne diseases. Tick Center members receive a 25% discount on all Tick Report tests. Visit tickreport.com.
DETICKT
A free AI-powered app that identifies 20+ tick species from a photo with 97% accuracy and generates a location-based risk assessment for tick-borne diseases. Also tracks symptoms after a bite. Visit detickt.com.
How to Remove a Tick
- Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not jerk or twist.
- Do not squeeze the body. Do not use petroleum jelly, heat, or other folk remedies.
- Clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
- Save the tick in a sealed bag or container if you want to submit it for identification or testing.
- Contact your provider if you develop a rash, fever, fatigue, or joint pain in the days or weeks following the bite.
Tick Prevention
Martha's Vineyard has the highest burden of tick-borne illness in Massachusetts, with rates of Lyme disease and babesiosis more than 11 times the state average. Prevention is the most effective protection available. As MV Tick Program director Patrick Roden-Reynolds notes: nothing good ever came from a tick bite.
The strategies below are recommended by the MV Tick Program and the Inter-Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative.
Repellents
Use repellents containing one of these EPA-registered active ingredients on exposed skin:
- DEET (20 to 30%)
- Picaridin
- IR3535
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus
Use the EPA's Find the Repellent Right for You tool to select the best option for your activity and time outdoors.
Permethrin-Treated Clothing
Permethrin is applied to clothing and gear, not skin. It kills ticks on contact and remains effective through many washes. It is one of the most reliable protections available for Island residents and visitors.
- Buy pre-treated clothing. We love TickTogs.com.
- Send your own clothing to InsectShield.com for professional treatment (lasts 60+ washes)
- Island residents and visitors: use code MARTHASV2026 for 15% off of InsectShield products
Protective Clothing and Habits
- Tuck pants into socks and shirt into pants
- Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks more easily
- Leggings and snug-fitting clothing block ticks from reaching skin
- Stay to the center of trails; avoid leaf litter and tall grass
- Shower within two hours of coming indoors
- Tumble dry clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks
Daily Tick Checks
Check yourself, children, and pets after any time outdoors. Nymph deer ticks can be the size of a poppy seed. Focus on:
- Under the arms and around the waist
- In and around the ears
- Inside the belly button
- Back of the knees and between the legs
- In the hair and at the hairline
For alpha-gal patients: Avoiding new tick bites is not just prevention, it is part of your treatment. Continued tick bites worsen sensitivity and reduce the chance of remission. Stopping tick bites is one of the most important steps you can take to improve your condition.
More resources: islandspublichealth.com — Prevent the Bite | MV Tick Program video library (Vimeo)
Alpha-Gal Syndrome
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergy triggered by a tick bite. The lone star tick injects alpha-gal — a sugar found in most mammals — into the bloodstream, sensitizing the immune system to react to red meat, some dairy, and certain medications. Symptoms are often delayed 2–8 hours after exposure, which makes AGS notoriously difficult to diagnose.
Symptoms
- Hives or itchy rash
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Severe stomach pain
- Shortness of breath
- Drop in blood pressure
- Swelling of lips or throat
- Dizziness or faintness
- Anaphylaxis
Foods to Avoid
- Beef, pork, lamb, venison
- Mammal organs and fat
- Dairy (milk, cheese, butter)
- Gelatin and mammal broth
- Some natural flavorings
- Carrageenan
Work with your provider — you may not need to avoid all of these.
Foods You Can Eat
- Fish and seafood
- Poultry (chicken, turkey, duck)
- Eggs
- Fruits, vegetables, grains
- Nuts, beans, tofu, tempeh
Cofactors matter. Cofactors such as alcohol, exercise, and NSAIDs (e.g., Advil, Aleve, ibuprofen) can make reactions more likely or more severe. Avoiding new tick bites may allow you to eventually reintroduce some mammalian foods under medical supervision.
↓ Download the Alpha-Gal Syndrome Patient Fact Sheet (PDF) — prepared by the Inter-Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative, updated April 2026
How We Care for You
The Tick Center brings together multiple types of care under one coordinated team. Every care plan is individualized.
| Type of Care | What This Includes |
|---|---|
| Medical Evaluation | Comprehensive history and exam; laboratory testing; diagnosis and treatment plan for acute and chronic tick-borne illness and alpha-gal syndrome |
| Nutrition | Alpha-gal dietary guidance and food planning; anti-inflammatory nutrition; metabolic support; dietary optimization for recovery |
| Acupuncture | Auricular (ear) acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for symptom management, including the Martha's Vineyard Auricular Allergy Treatment (MVAAT) protocol |
| Mindfulness & Movement | Trauma-informed movement, stress reduction, and recovery support tailored to chronic illness |
| Medication Safety | Medicines reviewed for allergens and drug interactions, with education provided by a licensed pharmacist |
What to Expect
Your first visit is a comprehensive evaluation. We take a thorough history of your symptoms, prior testing, and treatments. Depending on your situation we may order standard or specialty laboratory work, and we will discuss a care plan tailored to your needs. We take the time to understand the full picture.
Coordinated care. If your plan involves multiple providers on our team, your notes and results are shared across all of them. You will not have to repeat your story at every appointment. Your Integrative Care Provider serves as the clinical hub, making sure everyone has the full picture.
Fees. Tick Center Integrative Health Provider consultations are billed to insurance whenever possible. A care coordination fee of $100/month gives you access to the full range of Tick Center services, including your monthly THRIVE assessment, and care coordination across all providers and partners. Certain Integrative Health Partner services may be covered by insurance. We are happy to discuss fees before your visit. See below for the list of our current Integrative Health Partners.
Tracking Your Progress
As a Tick Center patient, you will complete a brief monthly questionnaire called the THRIVE Index — developed specifically for patients with tick-borne illness and alpha-gal syndrome. It tracks how you are functioning across the physical, emotional, and daily-life domains most affected by these conditions. At quarterly visits, we review your THRIVE scores together, giving you and your care team a longitudinal view of your progress that goes well beyond lab values alone.
Your Care Team
Gerald Yukevich, MD
Gerry has more than 30 years of experience treating tick-related health conditions on Martha's Vineyard. He is a board-certified internist and holds an MPH from Harvard. Gerry oversees all Tick Center clinical protocols and is available to see patients directly.
Katherine Friedman, MSN, RN-C, FNP
Katie has been diagnosing and managing tick-borne health conditions on the Island for 19 years. She and Kelley Ellsworth are the clinical hubs ensuring your care plan reflects the full picture across the entire Tick Center provider network.
Kelley Ellsworth, PA-C
Kelley brings years of primary care experience on the Island to The Tick Center team. She works closely with both Gerry Yukevich and Katie Friedman to provide coordinated clinical care for patients with tick-borne illness and alpha-gal syndrome.
Integrative Health Partners
Getting Started
You don't need a referral. Contact us directly to schedule your first visit or to ask any questions.