Ohio summers mean more people are headed outside to enjoy hiking trails, parks, backyard barbecues, youth sports, and camping trips. Unfortunately, summer is also the middle of tick season in the Midwest. While most tick bites are harmless, some ticks can carry bacteria that cause Lyme disease, making it important to know how to protect yourself and when to seek medical care.
Here’s what every Ohio resident should know about tick bites, Lyme disease, and when to visit an urgent care center after a tick bite.
Are Tick Bites Common in Ohio?
Yes. Ticks are found throughout Ohio, particularly in wooded areas, tall grass, brush, and leaf litter. While they are most active from spring through early fall, exposure can occur anytime temperatures are above freezing.
The blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick, is the primary carrier of Lyme disease. Although not every blacklegged tick carries the bacteria, the number of Lyme disease cases has increased in Ohio over the past several years, making prevention and early detection more important than ever.
How to Prevent Tick Bites
The best way to avoid Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites before they happen.
When spending time outdoors:
- Wear long sleeves and long pants whenever possible.
- Tuck pant legs into your socks when hiking through wooded or grassy areas.
- Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin.
- Treat clothing and outdoor gear with permethrin when appropriate.
- Stay on marked trails and avoid walking through tall grass or dense brush.
- Shower within two hours of coming indoors to help wash away unattached ticks.
- Perform a thorough tick check after spending time outside, paying close attention to your scalp, behind your ears, under your arms, around your waist, behind your knees, and around your ankles.
Don’t forget to check children and pets, as ticks can easily hitch a ride indoors.
What Should You Do If You Find a Tick?
Finding a tick can be alarming, but removing it promptly is one of the most important steps you can take.
Using fine-tipped tweezers:
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure.
- Clean the bite area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
Avoid squeezing the tick’s body, twisting it during removal, or using methods like petroleum jelly, nail polish, or heat. These approaches may increase the chance of the tick releasing bacteria before it detaches.
If possible, make note of when the bite occurred and monitor the area over the next several weeks.
What Are the Early Signs of Lyme Disease?
Not everyone who develops Lyme disease experiences the same symptoms, but early treatment is essential to help prevent more serious complications.
Common early symptoms include:
- A red rash that gradually expands, sometimes forming a bull’s-eye appearance
- Fever
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
Symptoms may develop anywhere from a few days to several weeks after a tick bite.
If left untreated, Lyme disease can progress and lead to more serious issues involving the joints, nervous system, or heart.
When Should You Visit Urgent Care?
Many tick bites can be safely monitored at home, but you should seek medical evaluation if:
- You develop a rash after a tick bite.
- You experience fever or flu-like symptoms following outdoor exposure.
- The bite becomes increasingly red, swollen, painful, or begins draining.
- You’re unable to remove the entire tick.
- You have concerns about possible Lyme disease.
An experienced healthcare provider can evaluate your symptoms, determine whether testing or treatment is appropriate, and recommend the next steps based on your individual situation.
Enjoy Ohio’s Outdoors with Confidence
Ticks are a part of outdoor life in Ohio, but they don’t have to keep you from enjoying your favorite activities. By taking simple precautions, checking for ticks after spending time outdoors, and recognizing the early signs of Lyme disease, you can greatly reduce your risk of complications.
If you’ve been bitten by a tick or develop symptoms that concern you, don’t wait to seek care.
Immediate Health Associates provides prompt, professional walk-in urgent care at four convenient Central Ohio locations. Our experienced medical providers can evaluate tick bites, assess symptoms of Lyme disease, and help you get the treatment you need so you can get back to enjoying everything Ohio has to offer.
Walk-ins are always welcome, or you can check in online for even faster service.