It never fails. You are outside having a wonderful time. But when you come indoors, you’ve got a tick on your skin. It’s an all-too-common scenario in east Tennessee.

Our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team wants to arm you with some knowledge about ticks and the diseases they carry.

What Do I Do If I Find a Tick on Me?

Tick bites happen. If you notice a tick on you, it is important to remove the tick properly.

First, you want to place rubbing alcohol on and around the tick. Then use tweezers to get as close to the tick’s head and your skin in order to grab the tick’s head and pull it out. Pull firmly upward without placing pressure on the tick or squeezing it, since doing so can leave behind part of the tick.

Ways to Prevent Tick Bites

• Use insect repellent with DEET.
• Avoid areas where ticks are usually found.
• Put permethrin on clothing and gear.
• Walk in the center of trails to avoid making contact with trees and bushes.
• Check your body for ticks after coming indoors.

Is Lyme Disease Curable?

Of diseases carried by ticks, Lyme disease is the one you’re probably most familiar with. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than 30,000 cases of Lyme disease reported each year.

Because there is a risk with any tick bite, you need to carefully watch yourself for any symptoms and seek medical attention if they occur following a bite.

Signs of Lyme Disease

• Rash
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Achy, swollen joints
• Dizziness
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Sleep disturbances
• Cognitive decline
• Vision changes

Did you experience a tick bite? Visit AFC Urgent Care Hixson for a medical evaluation.