What to do and when to seek care this summer.
Summer is in full swing here in Massachusetts and with the warmth comes spending more time outdoors, hiking, camping, and exploring.
Unfortunately, it also means more encounters with ticks.
At Community Health Connections (CHC) we've seen a noticeable uptick in tick bites, and many patients are unsure of what steps to take after finding a tick on their body.
Let's break it down so you feel confident and informed and keep enjoying the great outdoors safely!
The first thing is don't panic! If you find a tick attached to your skin or your child's, here is what I recommend:
- Mark the spot with a pen or marker. Draw a small circle around the bite. This helps you track any changes in the area over the next few days. Watch for signs of infection like redness, warmth, swelling, or pus.
- Use fine tipped tweezers and grab the tick as close to the skin surface as possible and pull up with a steady even pressure. The goal is to remove the entire tick head and avoid twisting or jerking as this can leave parts behind.
- Clean the area thoroughly after removal, use rubbing alcohol or soap and water to clean the bite site and your hands.
- You should contact your provider for an appointment if the tick was on you for more than 48 hours or if you’re not sure how long it was there.
In Massachusetts, Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness, and symptoms can include a bull's eye rash, fever or chills, fatigue, muscle and joint aches and a headache. Many of these symptoms can mimic the flu, so if something feels off, it's best to get checked. Lyme Disease | Mass.gov
Prevention is key!
The best treatment is prevention. MDPH offers excellent tick prevention tips: including wearing long sleeves and pants while hiking, using insect repellent with DEET or Permethrin and checking yourself and your pets after being outdoors. Tick-borne disease prevention | Mass.gov
At my house, after we've been hiking in the woods, I give our pets a quick brush before they re-enter the house, and I also insist that we all change our clothes, check for ticks, and take a shower.
If you’re worried about a tick bite or symptoms that may be related, don't wait!
CHC is here for you in several ways:
- Call for a sick visit if it's during business hours. Call our patient call center and request a same day sick visit. 978-878-8100
- If it’s after hours or you can’t get in, visit any of our Urgent Care Centers.
- Our Urgent Care centers are walk-in, no appointment necessary and are located in Leominster, Fitchburg and Gardner.
- You can also use your MyChart app to let us know you’re on your way to Urgent Care.
Remember at CHC we take care of all, regardless of health insurance status or income. If you need to use our Urgent Care Centers and don’t have insurance, we offer a Sliding Fee Discount, which is based on your income and family size. No one is turned away at CHC, because everyone deserves great care.
Our mission to help everyone is one of the reasons I'm proud to work at Community Health Connections! I love my patients, I love my community, and every day I'm grateful to be part of a team that delivers compassionate care to everyone no matter their background or circumstances.
Taking time to connect with nature isn't just good for the soul; it's proven to support both your mental well-being and your physical health. Just remember to protect yourself from ticks and go outside with confidence!
Wishing you a wonderful summer!
Casie Short, PA-C , Associate Medical Director, Fitchburg Community Health Center