Prompt Tick Removal & Bite Treatment Available at Our Urgent Care Center in West Hartford, CT

If you live in West Hartford, Connecticut, and you spend any amount of time outdoors, you need to be aware of the risk of Lyme disease, a bacterial illness that can be transmitted through the bite of an infected deer tick. At first, you might easily overlook this common, spider-like parasite that may be no bigger than a poppy seed, but a deer tick can triple in size after it attaches itself to your skin and begins feeding.

Usually, a tick must remain attached to its host (you!) for a minimum of 36 hours before it can transmit the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. Therefore, the best preventive strategy is to shower and try to wash away any unattached ticks immediately after you head back inside. If you spot a tick attached to your skin, you can safely remove it by grasping its body with tweezers and firmly pulling upward. If you need help with tick removal and bite treatment, turn to PhysicianOne Urgent Care—you never need an appointment at our walk-in urgent care center.

What Are the Signs of Lyme Disease?

In many cases, the first sign of Lyme disease is a distinctive bull’s-eye skin rash that develops at the site of a tick bite within three to 14 days. If you notice this type of rash on your skin, you should seek medical attention right away. When started early, antibiotic treatment can be very effective against Lyme disease.

When Lyme disease does not produce a tell-tale rash, it can be tricky to identify for three main reasons. First, ticks are tiny and their bites are painless, so they often go unnoticed. Second, Lyme disease is caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium that can enter the bloodstream and “corkscrew” its way into various soft tissues throughout the body, causing wide-ranging symptoms. Third, many common signs of Lyme disease, such as fever and chills, joint pain, headaches, and overwhelming fatigue, are nonspecific and associated with numerous other health conditions. Therefore, if you have any doubt, it’s best to seek a professional medical opinion right away.

Whether you need help with tick removal or require prompt tick bite treatment, PhysicianOne Urgent Care is your first choice for comprehensive and outstanding medical care in West Hartford. Visit our urgent care center today!