The warm weather brings increased outdoor activity, and with it, a higher risk of tick and insect bites. While most bites are minor, some can cause infections or even serious health issues, such as Lyme disease. Knowing how to prevent, identify, and treat bites can help keep you and your family safe this season.
Preventing Tick and Insect Bites
The best way to avoid complications from tick and insect bites is to prevent them in the first place. When spending time outdoors, especially in wooded areas or tall grass, take the following precautions:
- Wear long sleeves, pants, and light-colored clothing to make it easier to spot ticks
- Use insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin
- Treat clothing and gear with permethrin, an insect repellent designed for fabrics
- Avoid walking through tall grass and stay on marked trails
- Perform tick checks on yourself, children, and pets after spending time outside
- If you have a dog, it’s important to protect them as well, as any ticks attached to them could come home with you and eventually bite a human. Use insect repellent designed for dogs or talk to your vet about preventative medications.
Checking for Bites
Ticks and insect bites can be small and easy to miss. After being outdoors, inspect your skin carefully, paying close attention to areas where ticks tend to attach, such as:
- Behind the knees
- Under the arms
- Along the hairline and behind the ears
- Around the waistline
Look for small red bumps, swelling, or the telltale “bullseye” rash that can indicate Lyme disease (which often does not show up for weeks to months after being bitten). If a tick is found attached to your skin, proper – and prompt – removal is crucial to reducing the risk of infection.
Diseases Carried by Ticks
Ticks can transmit several serious illnesses, including:
- Lyme Disease – Caused by Borrelia bacteria, Lyme disease often presents with a bullseye rash, fever, fatigue, joint pain, and flu-like symptoms. However, symptoms may not appear for weeks after the bite. If untreated, it can lead to long-term complications affecting the nervous system and joints. Treatment typically includes antibiotics such as doxycycline.
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) – A bacterial infection that causes fever, headache, muscle aches, and a rash that spreads from the wrists and ankles inward. Symptoms can take days or even weeks to appear. Without treatment, RMSF can become severe. Early antibiotic treatment is essential.
- Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis – These bacterial infections cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, muscle aches, and headaches, which may not develop for one to two weeks after a tick bite. They are treated with antibiotics like doxycycline.
- Babesiosis – A parasitic infection that attacks red blood cells, leading to fever, chills, fatigue, and anemia. Symptoms can take weeks to show up, making early detection difficult. Treatment may include a combination of antimicrobial medications.
What to Do If You Get Bitten by a Tick
If you find a tick attached to your skin:
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure—do not twist or jerk the tick, as it could cause parts of the body to stay embedded in your skin.
- Clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water
- Dispose of the tick by placing it in a sealed bag or flushing it down the toilet
Most tickborne diseases are avoidable with prompt removal of the tick. However, if a tick is attached for more than 12 hours, the risk of contracting an infection increases. Monitor for symptoms such as fever, rash, or flu-like symptoms in the following weeks. If you develop any concerning signs, seek medical attention promptly.
Urgent Care Treatment for Tick and Insect Bites
While most insect bites heal on their own, some may require medical attention. Visit urgent care if you experience:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the face and throat
- A tick bite followed by a rash, fever, or joint pain
- A bite that becomes red, swollen, or shows signs of infection
- Multiple bites that cause significant discomfort
At EZCare Walk-In Medical Centers, our urgent care providers can remove ticks safely, prescribe antibiotics if needed, and treat severe allergic reactions. Walk in at any of our locations for prompt care and peace of mind.
