Not all tick bites lead to Lyme disease, but a bite from a deer tick might! 

Deer ticks are very common in the northeast, especially in Connecticut because of the warmer, wetter conditions. The climate change makes it accommodating for these types of ticks to hide in grassy plains and woodsey areas. Each year, thousands of cases of Lyme disease are reported making them a serious threat for those looking to enjoy the outdoors this spring, summer and fall.

AFC Urgent Care New Britain is here to help you with a guide on deer tick prevalence in Connecticut and what to do to avoid getting bitten by one!

Beware Of Deer Ticks When Going On A Hike

Most people think that going on a hike may lead to a confrontation with a tick. But it’s actually more common to get bitten at the entrance to a woodsy area or when leaving a woodsy area. This area is called “the edge” or distance between the woodsy area and grassy plains. 

Deer ticks LOVE to hide in these areas.

If you’re planning on going on multiple hikes this summer, plan ahead for deer ticks.  We suggest wearing long pants, socks and long sleeves to avoid a tick from latching onto your skin right away. Ticks are very sneaky in their nature. They’re tiny little bugs and like to latch onto you in spots you might not think to check. This is why it’s important to perform a tick check when returning home to avoid contracting Lyme disease. The CDC suggests that it can take 36-48 hours of a deer tick being latched onto you for Lyme disease to develop. The way they transmit Lyme disease is by regurgitating the contents (Spirochetes…aka bacteria carrying the Lyme) from their digestive tract into your bloodstream.

Is It Easy To Remove A Deer Tick On Your Own?

Tick removal sounds like an easy process, but there is actually a technique involved. A deer tick’s mouth is often compared to a “fish hook” and it’s not easy to “tweeze” and “pull” them out. The CDC suggests this tick removal technique:

• Use fine tipped tweezers to grasp the tick (close to the skin as possible). 
• Pull backwards gently but firmly, using an even pressure, do not twist or jerk. It may take a few minutes as you want to slowly pull and lift as opposed to ripping it out. 
• Do not squeeze, crush, or puncture the body of the tick. This can cause a deer tick to inject body fluids and cause an increased risk for infection.
• After removing the tick, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water.

I’m Not Comfortable Removing A Tick On My Own Can I Get It Removed At An Urgent Care?

Yes! If you don’t feel comfortable removing a tick on your own, going to urgent care is the best thing you can do. With no appointment needed, AFC Urgent Care New Britain can help remove deer ticks on a walk-in basis. Our staff is medically trained and has the proper tools to remove a tick and can help evaluate you for tick borne illnesses like Lyme disease.

If you prefer to make an appointment, you can do that too! Schedule an appointment here.