05/02/2025
Help prevent LYME DISEASE!
It is deer tick season! Make sure you wear insect repellant, long sleeves, pants and shoes, when in a wooded area or in an area of tall grasses. Check yourself and pets for ticks immediately upon coming inside. If a tick is noted, remove the whole tick as soon as possible with tweezers. Grab the tick close to skin, near the head, then slowly and firmly pull directly up to remove it. The longer an infected tick is embedded in the skin, the higher the risk for contracting Lyme disease.
We no longer send ticks to the lab to determine if they are infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease. We may give a one time dose of antibiotic at the time of a bite to prevent potential transmission. Blood testing can be done 2 WEEKS after the bite to determine if longer treatment is necessary. If you think you may have symptoms of Lyme, get tested. Many DON’T recall being bitten and yet may test positive and require treatment.