Lyme disease has been a growing concern in the New England states for years, and Massachusetts is notorious for deer tick bites because these little guys think the woodlands and grassy plains of your favorite hiking spots are the best places for them to populate, latch onto you, and spread Lyme disease. The worst part is these black-legged ticks are so small and hard to spot on your body, making it a serious threat for many of us trying to enjoy the outdoors.

As we approach the summer months, it's essential to understand the risks and take precautions to prevent deer tick bites. AFC Urgent Care West Springfield understands the concerns about deer tick bites and wants to help you win the battle against Lyme disease in 2023.

Preventing Deer Tick Bites Is The Best Way To Win The Battle Against Lyme Disease

First and foremost, it is important that you watch where you walk when going on a hike in the woods, your backyard or anywhere that has grassy plains or woodlands. Layering up is another effective measure to prevent deer tick bites. Wearing long sleeves, socks, and pants when in the woods or hiking, including in your own yard, can help you avoid getting bitten by deer ticks. Make sure to check all parts of your body regularly, especially the areas such as under the arms, behind the ears, in the scalp, inside the belly button, back of the knees, in and around all body hair, between the legs, and around the waist.

Furry friends can also carry deer ticks into your house, so make sure to check your pets regularly for ticks and give them a thorough brushing. Using insect repellents that contain the common ingredient DEET is another effective way to prevent deer tick bites. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Center for Disease Protection have tools to help you pick the best insect repellent for you.

What Happens If I Get Bitten By A Deer Tick? How Do I Remove It?

If you do happen to get bitten by a tick, it's important to remove it as soon as possible. The CDC recommends using fine-tipped tweezers to connect with the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Don’t twist or jerk the tick as this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the remaining parts with tweezers if possible. After removing the tick, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

The next step would be assessing the tick bite wound and coming in to get evaluated. If you can save the tick in a zip lock bag, you can bring it in to confirm if it was a deer tick that bit you. AFC Urgent Care West Springfield can help remove deer ticks and assess the tick bite. Our staff is medically trained to remove ticks as well as evaluate you for any tick-related illnesses.

Get Your Tick Removed At AFC Urgent Care in West Springfield

It's highly suggested to come in within the first 24 hours of getting bitten by a deer tick so we can remove it right away. You can walk-in any day of the week to be seen for tick bites and tick removals. There is no appointment needed when visiting our AFC Urgent Care center in West Springfield. You can easily walk-in any day of the week. We also have an easy to use payment portal so that you can make a quick check out after your appointment with us.

Dealing with Lyme disease and deer ticks can be scary, but taking precautions and seeking medical care as soon as possible can help you stay healthy and safe. We hope you can enjoy the outdoors by following our tick guide so you and your family can remain tick free this summer!