Deer ticks have been a growing concern in the Northeast for years and it has become a pesky situation for many of us trying to enjoy the outdoors. Spring and summer time are the peak times for ticks and because Massachusetts has a lot of woodlands, it makes it the perfect habitat for deer ticks to populate, latch onto you, and just be a pest.
Lyme disease is no joke. If left untreated it may lead to long term effects on your joints and nervous system. If you’re worried about being bitten by a deer tick, AFC Urgent Care Springfield has created a guide to help educate you on deer tick bites and Lyme disease.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of A Deer Tick Bite?
It takes up to 36 to 48 hours for a deer tick to fully infect you with Lyme disease. The most noticeable symptoms after getting bitten by a deer tick is usually redness around the area in the shape of a bullseye and some itching.
If you have discovered a deer tick on you or it’s been longer than 36-48 hours, then watch out for these symptoms of Lyme disease:
- fatigue
- joint aches and pains
- a target shaped rash
- low-grade fevers or chills
How Can I Avoid Getting Bitten By A Deer Tick?
Whether you’re going on a hike or getting yard work done you should take the extra precautions to avoid one of these little black legged buggers from latching onto you. Here are some things you can try:
- Avoid wooded or grassy areas (The areas between the woods and grassy plains is where deer ticks can latch onto you)
- Keep your yard clean and grass cut
- Use insect repellents with DEET or other EPA approved repellents on skin and permethrin on clothing
- Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors and tuck pants into socks if possible
- Shower as soon as possible after being outside
- Inspect your body for ticks after being outside; use a mirror or a partner for hard-to-see areas on your body
- Keep your pets safe by performing a tick check because they too, can get bitten and contract Lyme Disease
Found A Deer Tick On You? We Can Remove It For You
AFC Urgent Care Springfield is open 7 days a week and can help remove deer ticks for you. There is no appointment needed when visiting us. But, we also offer appointments if you prefer.
Our staff is medically trained to remove ticks and we have the right tools to remove them. We highly suggest coming within the first 24 hours of finding a deer tick on you so we can remove it right away and assess the bite.
