Tick Bites at Urgent Care & Walk-In Clinic in South Philly, PA

Although Philadelphia is far from a rural area, men and women in the City of Brotherly Love can still suffer from tick bites. Pets can also pick up ticks in the city and can bring them into their owner’s house, so it is important to know what to look for and how to handle a tick bite. These irritating outdoor pests can carry a variety of bacteria and viruses that can cause serious illnesses. Be on the lookout for these small, brown bugs.

Do not let ticks stop you from enjoying the outdoors with your friends and family. Learn more about these pests so you can protect yourself and others. That way you can prevent coming down with serious illnesses, such as Lyme Disease.

Our board-certified physicians know how dangerous ticks can be and are very experienced in treating patients who are suffering from their bites. We can identify a tick bite and if need be remove the ticks safely. We can also provide you with all the information you need for treatment and what to look out for.

We have put together a guide to help you protect yourself from ticks. Below we have included some points to help educate yourself on what to look for if you have been bitten by a tick. We hope you find it useful in keeping yourself healthy.

Where are you most likely to find ticks?

While ticks are normally thought of as a rural outdoor pest, they can be found in Philadelphia. Ticks love hiding in areas that are moist. They can be found in tall grass, shrubs, and piles of leaves. It isn’t uncommon for ticks to hide in the tall grass of abandoned lots. You should be careful when walking through or nearby any areas that could be the home to ticks.

Can you prevent tick bites?

There are several ways you can prevent bites from ticks while outside. Two of the most effective ways are:

• Using a permethrin coating on your shoes and clothes. This chemical will kill ticks on contact.
• Using a repellent on exposed skin that contains DEET.

After coming home, it is vital you check yourself over to make sure no ticks have hitched a ride on your clothes or body. If possible, have a friend or family member assist with the check. You should also try to shower within 2 hours of being outside. This will help find hidden ticks and wash off any repellent on your skin.

How to check for ticks?

It is not too difficult to check for ticks. You should always be thorough to ensure there is no hiding. First, check your clothes for any ticks. If you think there are some still hiding, dry your clothes in a dryer using high heat. The high temperatures will kill any ticks clinging to your clothes. Next, check your entire body using a mirror. Pay special attention to your hair and underarms as these are some of the most common places to find a tick on your body.

What should I do if I have been bitten by a tick?

It can be very stressful if you find a tick on your body, even more so if it is attached to your skin. The most important thing is to make sure this pest is completely removed and removed very carefully. Using a pair of tweezers, the tick should be slowly pulled out of your skin with a twisting motion. If any part, such as the head, breaks off and is left in your skin it can cause further infections.

If you are not sure the tick is completely removed, consult one of our highly-experienced physicians. They will be able to see if the tick is removed and if it is not, can extract any parts left behind.

Once the tick is gone, you should continue to check the area of the skin that was bitten. Watch for a rash to develop. If it does, this could be a sign of a serious illness. Have this rash quickly checked out by one of our board-certified doctors so we can properly diagnose and treat you.

Do not wait days to get an answer and come to AFC Urgent Care South Philly right away. We are open 7 days a week with extended hours during the weekday and hours on the weekend. See us when it is convenient for your schedule. Our highly skilled staff will check you over at our state of the art medical clinic. We accept most major insurances and have affordable self-pay rates available for those with no insurance. Questions? Call us and our friendly staff will do their best to help you. We look forward to serving you.

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