Lyme Disease And Deer Ticks: How To Avoid Getting Bitten And How To Remove Them

Ticks can ruin outdoor fun faster than ants at a picnic. That being said, if you're outside hiking or just walking around in your backyard, chances are you might be exposing yourself to ticks here in the New England area. Connecticut is notorious for having deer ticks that carry Lyme disease. These little buggers are not only small and sneaky, but if they latch onto you and are undetected for over 36-48 hours then you’re at risk for contracting Lyme disease.

For this reason, AFC Urgent Care Torrington is here to help inform you about deer ticks, Lyme Disease and how to protect you and your family so you can enjoy the outdoors this upcoming summer. 

Deer Ticks At A Distance

While not all ticks carry Lyme Disease, in New England the black-legged tick, more commonly known as the deer tick, can transmit this harmful bacterial infection to other animals including humans. New Englanders know to associate Lyme Disease with deer ticks.

But, what does a deer tick actually look like? Ticks come in all shapes and sizes, but it is important to know that deer ticks have flat, oval bodies and are not hard-shelled. Nymphs cause most of the cases of Lyme because they’re smaller and hard to spot.

How Do I Avoid Getting Bitten By A Deer Tick?

Here are a few simple, but highly effective ways to avoid getting bitten by a tick:

1. Stay on the trail: When hiking, walk in the center of trails and avoid tall vegetation.
2. Layer up: Wear long sleeves, socks and pants when in the woods, and when hiking. This includes in your own yard.
3. Do a self-inspection: Make sure to check all parts of your body…especially these areas: (use a mirror if needed)
   1. Under the arms
   2. Behind the ears
   3. In the scalp
   4. Inside the belly button
   5. Back of the knees
   6. In and around all body hair
   7. Between the legs
   8. Around the waist
4. Don’t forget about your furry friends: Check your pet for ticks as they may carry them into the house. Fur is a perfect place for ticks to hide, so try giving them a thorough brushing.
5. Use Insect Repellent: Use repellents that contain the common ingredient DEET. It provides protection against many biting insects (most importantly ticks and mosquitoes). The Environmental Protection Agency and Center for Disease Protection have tools to help you pick the best insect repellent for you.

What happens if I DO get bitten by a tick?

If you do happen to get bit by one of those sneaky little ticks don’t panic. It’s best to know how to remove a tick properly to avoid getting lyme disease.

• Using tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
• Gently pull the tick in a steady, upward motion.
• Wash the area with a disinfectant immediately.
• When trying to remove the tick:
  • DO NOT touch the tick with your bare hands.
  • DO NOT squeeze the body of the tick as this may increase your risk of infection.
  • DO NOT put alcohol, nail polish remover or Vaseline on the tick.
  • DO NOT put a hot match or cigarette on the tick in an effort to make it “back out.”
  • DO NOT use your fingers to remove the tick.

Once removed it is vital that you get to a doctor or one of our AFC walk-in urgent care centers during the "incubation" period: 36-48 hours from the event of the bite. The longer you wait to get tested or treated the higher the risk is for contracting Lyme Disease.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease to watch for: 

• fatigue
• joint aches and pains
• a target shaped rash
• low-grade fevers or chills

AFC Urgent Care Torrington CAN Remove Ticks

AFC Urgent Care Torrington can help remove ticks properly,  and evaluate you for tick-related illnesses. If you or a family member is bitten by a tick that you suspect to be a deer tick, the best thing to do is to get it removed by a medical provider who is knowledgeable and experienced in proper removal techniques. From there, we can help guide you to the next step for treatment. 

You can walk-in any day of the week for tick removals. There is no appointment needed. But, If you prefer to schedule an appointment online, we also offer appointments making it easier for you to cut the line and be seen for tick bites and all of your other urgent care needs.