Ticks are responsible for all sorts of illnesses, but the most common of them all is Lyme disease. It manifests like most tick-induced diseases in the form of rashes that appear within a week of being bitten. After that, the breakout will slowly and progressively get bigger over the next few weeks, making the spot feel uncomfortable and warm to your touch. Here are some things you need to look out for when it comes to tick bites and lyme disease.
For same-day tick bite & Lyme disease treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care South Plainfield. Our medical team is dedicated to providing the most accessible, quality, and affordable care to all patients in the South Plainfield, NJ area. Just walk-in today!
Signs You’ve Been Bitten By an Infected Tick
- Fever
- Breakout of rashes all over the body
- Chills
- Red bumps on the place you’ve been bitten
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Headaches
- Intense fatigue
- A slight itch
- Irritation of the skin
- Swelling of the lymph nodes
Stages of Lyme Disease Progression
First Stage
Stage one of the progression of this disease normally begins within three days to a month after the person has been bitten. At first, the bite appears like a small red bump, but once the Lyme disease spreads, rashes begin to manifest around the body. These rashes don’t itch, but they do cause fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and headaches.
Second Stage
At stage two, which normally begins three to seven weeks after the bite, the infected person begins to experience many more serious symptoms, like stiffness in the neck, neck pain, swelling in the eyelids, rashes, sluggish facial muscles, and irregular heartbeat.
Third Stage
When the lyme disease progresses to stage three then it begins to cause painful swelling and stiffness around the joint which can last months. With time, the aftereffect of it can cause discolorations around those spots on the skin.
How To Prevent Tick Bites and Treat Lyme Disease
- Wash your clothes and gear in hot water
- Check your hair and clothes after spending time outdoors
- Check behind the ears and scalp of your kids and pets after they are done playing outside or interacting with friends
- Bathe in hot water after visiting a place that might be tick-infested
- Take care to wear lightly colored long-sleeved clothes whenever you interact with animals or hike in the forest. This will allow you to easily find the ticks and get rid of them
- Make sure you also wear thick socks to protect your legs
- You can treat Lyme disease with antibiotics
Whenever you start to spot rashes all over your skin after a tick bite then it means you might have Lyme disease or any other tick-borne illnesses like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and to keep yourself safe, visit an urgent care center to get diagnosed and treated.
Get Walk-In Tick Bite & Lyme Treatment at AFC Urgent Care South Plainfield
Not every tick bite leads to Lyme disease, but early detection is crucial when one does. Keep an eye out for warning signs like a bull’s-eye rash, fatigue, fever, joint pain, or flu-like symptoms in the days or weeks following a bite. If you experience any of these, don’t wait– come visit AFC Urgent Care South Plainfield for proper evaluation and treatment. Quick action can prevent more serious complications and help you stay healthy throughout tick season. We accept most health insurance plans and provide low-cost options for self-paying patients. If you have any additional questions about Lyme disease prevention and treatment, or other services we provide, please contact us directly at (908) 222-3500.
