Primary Care
Ticks are small, parasitic insects that live off of other living creatures, like humans and pets. We are most likely to encounter them in areas with a lot of vegetation, such as in long grasses, bushes, or in the woods.
Ticks have the potential to transmit many diseases. The disease most people are familiar with, and the most prevalent, is Lyme disease. Lyme disease is an infectious disease that can cause a range of symptoms such as rash, pain, fatigue, and even fever.
Because ticks bites are most common in the early summer months, Scott Allan, MD, the medical director for Rochester Regional Health Immediate Care, provides tips on avoiding ticks and what to do if you are bit by one.
Ticks can be active at any time when the temperature is above freezing. This includes most of spring, summer, and part of the fall months. They are most commonly found in shady, moist areas of the ground. They live in and around tall grasses, bushes, gardens, and in or at the edge of woods.
“Ticks are prevalent at all times of day. During the summer months, be aware of the presence of ticks and take measures to keep them off of you,” says Allan.
The simplest way to avoid getting bitten by a tick is to avoid overgrown areas where they are most likely to be present. For those who enjoy spending time outdoors, especially hiking or camping, there are preventative measures that can be taken to keep ticks off of you.
“For those who like spending time outdoors or in the woods, avoiding areas with long grass and shrubs will reduce the likelihood of getting a tick.”
Unlike most bugs, ticks typically remain attached to your body after they bite you. In some cases, a new tick can be shaken off of your skin. However, if the tick has been on the skin for a bit longer, it may be more difficult to remove.
If you notice a tick that has latched to your skin, Dr. Allan says to attempt removal, but very carefully.
“Get a good pair of fine point tweezers, get as close to the skin as possible, and grab hold of it. Then, pull slowly and steadily, applying constant pressure, to pull it out.”
Do not grab the tick with your fingers and attempt to remove, as this can cause the tick to break, leaving some of it under your skin. If you experience any difficulty removing a tick, go to the nearest immediate care location for assistance.
If you are unsure how long the tick has been attached or are concerned about the transmission of Lyme disease, Dr. Allan recommends heading to immediate care after removing a tick.
“When evaluating a tick bite, there are times when a one-time dose of antibiotics can prevent Lyme disease. At Rochester Regional Immediate Care locations, we have this treatment available to give at the time of your visit.”
Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, and is transmitted to humans through a bite from an infected tick. For this to happen, a tick has to be present on skin for at least 24 hours.
Lyme disease can affect everyone differently. The most common symptoms include:
If you suspect you may be experiencing Lyme disease symptoms, call your primary care physician for an evaluation.
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