When it comes to tick bites, one of the chief concerns you might have is Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease is the illness most commonly associated with tick bites. This is because deer ticks frequently carry the bacteria that causes the illness. That said, not every single tick carries the bacteria. It is possible to be bitten by a tick and not get the bacteria. Moreover, a tick has to have time to transmit the bacteria to you. The longer a tick is attached to the body, the more likely it is that the bacteria (if it is in the tick) will be transferred to an individual’s bloodstream.
For same-day tick bite & Lyme treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Cedar Grove. Our urgent care center can test your tick-borne symptoms for Lyme Disease and remove ticks latched onto your skin. Just walk-in today!
What Is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is an illness caused by a bacteria that is frequently transmitted via tick bite, especially from deer ticks. Lyme disease worsens over time and affects the joins, spinal cord, and muscles throughout the body. At first a patient might experience a rash and often rashes that have a particular shape like a bullseye (a red circle that is surrounded by a large red ring). Overtime Lyme disease can cause issues with heart palpitations as well as severe joint and muscle pain.
The most common signs and symptoms associated with Lyme Disease include:
- Bullseye rash
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle and joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
How Do You Get Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is most frequently associated with tick bites. When an infected tick bites a person it latches on and can stay on for days to even weeks. After hours of drinking your blood it is possible that bacteria inside the tick is transferred to your body. That is why it is recommended to check for ticks regularly especially if you go outside. It’s important to note that not all ticks carry Lyme. The risk of acquiring Lyme disease from a tick bite depends on several factors, including how long the tick was attached, the infection status of the tick, and the location where the tick bite occurred. Awareness of tick habitats, preventive measures, and prompt removal of ticks is crucial.
How is Lyme Disease Prevented?
First and foremost, be careful when you go outside. If you are going to be in tall grass, the woods, or out in areas where ticks are more prevalent, make sure to cover your skin. Do not wear open-toe shoes and make sure to wear long pants and long sleeves. Tucking your pant legs into your socks and your shirt into your pants can help prevent tick bites. After spending time outside, do a visual inspection for ticks. Check all over your body, and if possible, have a family member check areas you cannot see on your own like your back.
If you find that a tick has bitten you, you need to remove it carefully. You want to remove the tick as soon as possible. The longer a tick is attached to you, the more at risk you are for the transmission of the bacteria. You should use tweezers to grab the tick near the skin and pull the tick out slowly. Be careful not to squeeze the tick or break the tick as this can cause the bacteria to go into your body.
Get Lyme Disease Testing at AFC Urgent Care Cedar Grove
If you live in the Cedar Grove, NJ area and you have concerns about a rash or other symptoms related to Lyme Disease, come visit AFC Urgent Care Cedar Grove. Our urgent care center provides walk-in tick bite and Lyme Disease testing and treatment seven days a week. Appointments are not required to be seen by a board-certified medical provider. We can provide further guidance on how you and your loved ones can minimize the risk of contracting Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Just walk-in any day of the week! We accept most health insurance plans and offer low-cost options for self-paying patients. If you have any additional questions about the services we provide, please contact our office directly at (973) 239-2300.
