Do Not Ignore Tick Bites – Get Treated Early

There are several health concerns besides Covid-19 that we need to worry about.

Yes, we must take care during the Lyme season.

A walk in the woods may appeal to you - to get away from the anxiety of Covid-19. But this apparently harmless activity comes with a risk – tick bites that can transmit Lyme and other illnesses.

Confusion here is that the basic symptoms of Lyme infection mimic Covid-19 - fever, malaise and fatigue. Many medical professionals say contracting a serious illness like Lyme infection puts one at a higher risk from Covid-19.

Keep in mind that ticks prefer woods. They are comparatively scarcer in lawns although they do exist. They proliferate in shady forests with leaf litter and are abundant in small forest patches.

“Prevent tick bites by wearing long sleeves and long pants”, says a physician at urgent healthcare near Arlington VA. “And tuck your pants into your socks so ticks do not crawl up your legs”.

After you get back home, inspect your clothes and body for ticks. If you see one on any part of your body, get rid of it immediately and consult your doctor.

If it is afterhours and you cannot visit your primary care physician, go to the nearest urgent care clinic. Delay can be dangerous. The bacteria that cause Lyme disease are transmitted after the tick has stayed attached to the skin for at least 24 hours.

The doctor will evaluate your symptoms, the geographical region you were bitten, and order lab tests depending on your symptoms.

The most common symptoms of tick-related illnesses include:

·       Fevers and/or chills

·       Aches and pains - You may experience fatigue, muscle pain, or headache and even joint pain.

·       Distinctive rashes

The best strategy is to prevent tick bites in the first place.

Ticks are usually active during warmer months.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind before you go outdoors.

· Know where to expect ticks.

· Treat clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin.

· Use only EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approved insect repellants.

· Avoid contact with tics by staying away from brushy and wooded areas. Stick to the center of trails.

Any urgent care facility provides adequate care for tick-related illnesses.

In case you want to seek care after a tick bite, a visit to Arlington medical clinic is the best bet.

The doctor will most likely administer antimicrobial prophylaxis for the prevention of Lyme disease. According to medical professionals, a single dose of doxycycline will lower the risk of Lyme disease if the estimated time of attachment is ≥ 36 hours based on the degree of tick engorgement with blood or likely time of exposure to tick.

“We start prophylaxis if the tick removal was done within 72 hours”, says a doctor at urgent healthcare near Arlington VA.

Doctors encourage patients to watch for fever or flu-like illness in the weeks after the tick bite. When you speak with your doctor, do tell him/her the location of tick exposure. This will help with differential diagnosis.