If you’re someone who enjoys being active and spending time outdoors in the summer, you’re likely aware of the risk that ticks pose. Ticks are parasitic insects that can pass diseases to humans through a bite. There are many different tick-borne illnesses that ticks can give humans, however, Lyme disease is one of the most commonly known. Without early intervention, Lyme disease can become a chronic condition and lead to long-term symptoms like extreme fatigue and joint pain.
If you were bitten by a tick, AFC Urgent Care Centennial can help. Our board-certified medical providers are available 7 days a week to conduct rapid Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment. We treat patients of all ages and never require you to schedule an appointment in advance. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you, or save your spot online in advance using the button below.
How Do You Get Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is primarily carried by whitetail deer. It is transmitted to humans through a bite from a deer tick. Although humans are not a deer tick's intended target, we often come into contact with ticks when in grassy or heavily wooded areas. Deer ticks can be as small as a pin head, which can make them incredibly difficult to find on your body. However, if you don’t remove the tick immediately, you are at risk of contracting a tick-borne illness.
Tips for Identifying a Tick Bite
Ticks are incredibly small and their bite is not painful. They like to bite along the lower body, but also can hide well in hidden areas like the armpits and behind the ears. If you plan on spending time outdoors in an area that has ticks, it is important to check yourself for ticks often. In some cases, the tick will still be attached to the skin when you realize you’ve been bitten. Bites from a deer tick can sometimes be identified by a bullseye rash. A bullseye rash is a red ring around the bite site that often appears after the tick has detached from the skin.
Treatment Options for Lyme Disease
If you are bitten by a tick carrying Lyme disease, it is important that you act swiftly. Lyme disease is most effectively treated within 3 days of the bite. With early intervention, Lyme disease can be treated effectively with antibiotics. However, when left untreated, Lyme disease can become chronic. In chronic cases of Lyme disease, severe joint pain and fatigue caused by chronic Lyme disease can impact your overall quality of life.
Walk Into AFC Centennial for Same-Day Lyme Disease Testing Services
Lyme disease is a very common condition that requires immediate treatment to prevent long-term symptoms like joint pain. If you’re bitten by a tick, AFC Urgent Care Centennial is available to provide rapid, same-day Lyme disease diagnostic testing. Our clinic has a lab on-site, allowing us to provide testing at the time of your visit with no appointment required.
At AFC Urgent Care Centennial, we understand the importance of convenient healthcare. That is why our clinic is open 7 days a week and accepts walk-in patients with short wait times. We work with most medical insurance plans and offer competitive rates for our care. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient. To learn more, give us a call at (303) 220-9168.
