"
Deer ticks are small parasitic insects, barely visible to the naked eye, that feed off the blood of animals such as mice, squirrels, dogs, and even humans. Though their bites typically leave nothing more than an annoying bump, some ticks act as a vector for the often debilitating bacterial infection called Lyme disease.
What Are The Symptoms of Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection known to critically affect the skin, heart, joints, and nervous system which results in a multitude of painful and uncomfortable symptoms. Each person reacts differently to Lyme disease with symptoms in some manifesting within a month to several weeks or months after initial infection. Infection from Lyme disease requires immediate medical attention. Visit a medical professional for urgent care if you notice any of the following symptoms after a tick bite:
Early Symptoms (Within One Month)
- Red, target shaped rash
- Fatigue
- Head and/or muscle pain
- Fever
- Chills
- Other flu-like symptoms
Later Symptoms (Within Several Weeks – Months)
- Severe joint pain and swelling
- Impaired muscle movement
- Numbness or weakness in limbs
- Meningitis
- Temporary paralysis of one side of face (Bell’s Palsy)
What to Do if You Get Bit By a Deer Tick?
Have you or someone you know recently suffered from a tick bite? Are you or someone you know experiencing the above symptoms? If so, we highly suggest you visit AFC Urgent Care in North Bergen, NJ within the first 48 hrs. of detection for proper removal (if needed), diagnosis, and treatment by a medical professional. If you need to remove the tick on your own, be sure to follow the below tips & seek immediate medical care after the tick is removed.
- Use tweezers to grab the tick as close to skin as possible without creating damage
- Use a steady, upward motion to gently remove the entire tick
- Clean the wound with clean water and disinfectant
- Monitor the site where the tick was removed for signs of infection
- Keep a record of when you detected the tick, any signs and symptoms, and any additional information about your medical condition that may be useful to your physician
Your chances of contracting Lyme disease increases with the amount of time the tick remains embedded in your skin so don’t delay; visit AFC Urgent Care for immediate care. For more information, give us a call at 201.773.1360.
"
