Treatment for Tick Bites & Lyme Disease Symptoms in Somers, NY
Not all tick bites require medical attention. In fact, the vast majority of tick bites are no more cause for concern than the average mosquito bite. If you find a tick attached to your skin after taking a hike or walking the dog, simply remove it using a pair of clean tweezers and clean the bite area with soap and water. It’s only if you start feeling under the weather—fever, headache, extreme fatigue, and chills are the most common symptoms—or develop a bull’s-eye rash around the bite area that you may need to get tested for Lyme disease. At PhysicianOne Urgent Care in Somers, New York, we offer tick bite and Lyme disease treatment for patients of all ages. Stop by any day of the week and we’ll take care of you.
How Ticks Transmit Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged tick (deer tick). Deer ticks commonly reside in wooded areas but can also be found in lawns and gardens, where they often cling to shrubs, brush, and grass. Ticks cannot fly or jump, but they can attach to your clothing and skin through direct contact. That’s why you should always do a thorough check of your clothes and body after being outside during the height of tick season, which runs from April through October in the northeastern U.S.
Lyme Disease Treatment
There are two ways that Lyme disease can be diagnosed: through a physical examination and through a blood test. Developing a telltale bull’s-eye rash at the spot of a bite is typically enough to confirm a diagnosis, but sometimes lab testing is required. Lyme disease is diagnosed with a two-step testing process:
- An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test that measures the levels of antibodies to Lyme bacteria in the bloodstream
- A Western blot test that measures antibody levels as well as reactivity to a panel of 10 proteins found in Lyme bacteria
If Lyme disease is confirmed, antibiotics may be prescribed. Typically, antibiotic treatment is highly effective for early-stage Lyme disease.
Visit Us Today
If you need tick bite and/or Lyme disease treatment in Somers, stop by PhysicianOne Urgent Care today. To skip the wait in the waiting room, check in online!
