Professional Tick Bite Treatment & Removal in Southbury, CT
Connecticut winters can seem never-ending. When the warm weather finally beckons and you venture outdoors, just be mindful that you may encounter ticks. These tiny, bacteria-carrying arachnids can be found in grassy and wooded areas throughout the northeastern United States. Although they’re especially prevalent during the spring and summer months, they are actually active all year long. A tick can bite you—and spread germs—by burrowing its head into your skin. A tick bite is usually painless, but prompt treatment and removal are important because these bothersome insects can transmit potentially serious tick-borne illnesses, such as Lyme disease.
How to Avoid Getting Bitten
Knowing where to expect ticks is your first line of defense. Ticks like to spend time in tall grass and shrubbery, where they can remain close to the ground and hitch a ride on people and animals that pass by. Whenever you spend time outside—whether you are hiking, camping, gardening, hunting, or walking your dog—you may come in close contact with these small, spider-like creatures, even in your own backyard. To protect yourself, you should:
- Wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and a hat.
- Tuck your pants into your socks.
- Apply an insect repellent that contains at least 30% DEET.
How to Remove a Tick From Your Skin
If you notice that a tick has attached itself to your skin, you should remove it as soon as possible (if the tick has been attached for less than 24 hours, your risk for Lyme disease is low). Using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to your skin as you can get, then slowly pull it straight upward. After removing the tick, dispose of it by flushing it down a toilet, then thoroughly wash the bite area and your hands with soap and water.
If you need help with tick removal, you can seek professional tick bite treatment at PhysicianOne Urgent Care in Southbury. We also recommend that you visit our urgent care center if you experience Lyme disease symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, muscle pain, headache, and a tell-tale bull’s-eye skin rash.
