During the early spring months, we tend to begin spending more time outdoors compared to the colder winter months. While the warmer weather is ideal for spending time outdoors, the warmer weather during the spring and summer also brings peak tick season. Deer ticks can bite humans and transmit Lyme disease. Learn more about signs that you have been bitten by a deer tick and what steps you should take if you did get bit by a tick to ensure that you are treated quickly for Lyme disease.
At AFC Urgent Care Centennial, we offer patients in Centennial, CO, and the surrounding communities with walk-in urgent care services 7 days a week. Simply walk into the clinic for rapid lab testing services and symptom diagnosis by our dedicated medical providers.
How to Know if You Were Bitten by a Tick
There are various different kinds of ticks that you can be bitten by. Deer ticks are one of the most common ticks and can be found in many areas of the United States. Deer ticks survive by biting white-tail deer, however, they can jump off and be found clinging to grass and other plants close to the ground in areas where deer frequently pass in between meals. Walking through heavily wooded or grassy areas puts you at risk of being bit by a hungry deer tick.
Deer ticks can be very small, making them difficult to spot. They can bite you anywhere on your body, including hard-to-see spots like the armpits or between toes. It is important to thoroughly check your body for ticks after spending time outside to ensure that you do not pick up any hungry ticks while outside. If you are bitten by a tick, you may find it latched on your body. However, most people recognize tick bites after the tick falls off. Tick bites are very recognizable due to the large red bullseye mark that forms around a tick bite.
What to Do If You’re Bitten by a Tick
If you find a bullseye mark on your body, you likely were bitten by a deer tick carrying Lyme disease. You should immediately seek medical care to be tested for Lyme disease. In some cases, it can take up to 30 days for Lyme disease to show up on a blood test, but it is important to monitor your symptoms and begin treatment as early as possible.
If the tick is still attached, you can remove it using tweezers. Be sure to remove the entire insect, including the head which can sometimes be tricky to remove fully. You should bring the tick into the medical center with you so that your medical provider can identify the species of tick and confirm that you require a Lyme disease test.
Does Lyme Disease Require Treatment?
Seeking treatment if you have been exposed to Lyme disease is imperative. There is a high risk of Lyme disease progressing and becoming chronic without prompt treatment. That is why it is better to be safe than sorry and seek medical treatment if you think you have a bullseye rash, or if you are experiencing any unusual symptoms associated with Lyme disease.
Common early symptoms of Lyme disease include:
- Fever
- Neck stiffness
- Joint pain
- Extreme fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
Visit AFC Urgent Care Centennial for Rapid Lyme Diagnosis & Treatment
If you think you may be experiencing any symptoms associated with Lyme disease, find a bullseye rash or find a tick on your body, you should seek immediate urgent care. Your medical provider will be able to identify whether you could have been bitten by a tick carrying Lyme disease and take the appropriate steps to test for Lyme and provide treatment if necessary.
At AFC Urgent Care Centennial, our dedicated medical staff is board-certified and available seven days a week to provide rapid symptom diagnosis and treatment. Our clinic has a lab on-site, allowing our team to quickly and accurately diagnose Lyme disease and provide the necessary treatment. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable care to patients without insurance. We never require that you schedule an appointment to receive rapid care with short wait times, simply walk into the clinic!
