The summer season is great for many reasons, but ticks are not one of them! While you are out exploring the wonderful trails and hiking opportunities around town, there is always the chance that a tick grabs onto your pant leg or shoe and finds your skin.

If you discover that you have been bitten by a tick, your goal is to remove it as quickly and as efficiently as possible to reduce your risk of contracting Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases.

Our AFC Urgent Care Boulder team explains the dangers of Lyme disease and how to remove a tick below, so read on to stay informed.

Are All Tick Bites Serious?

Thankfully, no. The majority of regular tick bites are just annoying, and if we are being honest, a little gross. Once the tick is removed, the site of the bite might just be sore or irritated for a couple of days while your skin heals, but you will make a full recovery relatively quickly. However, there is always the small chance that the tick that bit you was carrying Lyme disease.

This is why we recommend removing the tick as quickly as you can. Ticks that are infected with Lyme disease need to be attached to your skin for at least 36 hours to effectively transmit the disease, so the faster you remove it, the better chance you have of preventing that from occurring.

How to Remove a Tick

• Use a clean tweezers and pull slowly and steadily away from the skin.
• Do not twist as you pull.
• Take a picture of the tick.
• Dispose in the garbage or toilet.
• Wash your hands and the bite site thoroughly.

What Should I Watch for After a Tick Bite?

Once you have removed the tick, take a deep breath and remind yourself that the majority of tick bites aren’t serious. Just keep a close eye on how you are feeling for the next month or so. Lyme disease symptoms appear anywhere from three days to 30 days and can include a red rash like a bulls-eye, a fever, headache or full body chills.

If you are concerned about any of your symptoms, come see us. We can evaluate the site of the bite and can help determine whether Lyme disease is a possible diagnosis. The longer you wait to seek care, the higher the risk you run of experiencing chronic pain or fatigue, even after you take the round of antibiotics that you need to.

When to Seek Medical Care

• You can’t remove the entire tick on your own.
• Your rash gets bigger or looks like a bulls-eye.
• Flu-like symptoms appear.
• Signs of infection appear, like pus or redness and swelling.

If you are ever worried about an animal or insect bite, come see us at AFC Urgent Care Boulder.