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Tick bites are especially common in Massachusetts during the summer as these insects come out to find new hosts. Humans and dogs are some of the most common hosts for ticks, which presents the possible risk of Lyme Disease and subsequent health issues.
For the most part, tick bites are relatively easy to avoid with the right intervention skills. But ticks are small and hard to detect once they are able to latch onto a host. In the event of a tick bite make sure to visit an urgent care center to get fast and immediate treatment.
Outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen, campers, and other nature-goers should especially be aware of techniques and skills to prevent tick bites. Ticks mostly reside in heavily wooded areas looking to prey on a new host.
So what are some of the ways in which campers, hikers, and others can actively avoid a possible tick bite?
Wear protective, lightweight clothing that covers your limbs when in wooded areas
The most common place where ticks will try and bite are the legs. As hikers or camps pass through wooded areas a tick can easily bite onto your leg. But ticks can also bite onto your arms, head, neck, and any other visible body part.
If you’re camping outdoors or hiking make sure to wear lightweight pants, shirts, and other protective clothing. A tick won’t be able to latch onto your limbs or skin if you have a protective layer. Additionally, try to avoid baggy clothing that a tick could potentially pass through. Make sure to keep your shirt, socks, and pants sealed.
Do intermittent “tick checks” whenever you’re hiking
Every 30 minutes or so during a hike you’ll want to do a quick tick check to see if there are any ticks on you.
Start by checking your legs and then gradually check the rest of your body. Additionally, if you’re hiking with another person have then check you for ticks and vice versa. Even if you believe you’re tick proof with proper clothing, repellent, and other preventive measures you’ll want to consistently check for ticks.
In the event of a tick bite visit a nearby urgent care center for treatment
Tick bites are not an ideal scenario and getting treatment ASAP is the best course of action. An urgent care center can help diagnose the extent of the tick bite and see if you potentially have a risk for Lyme Disease.
The sooner you get treatment, the better you’ll be able to manage a potential case of Lyme or other symptoms following a tick bite.
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