With tick season in full swing, learn how to protect yourself, your family, and your pets from tick bites this summer.

What are ticks?

Ticks are small arachnids (related to spiders) that feed on the blood of humans and animals to survive. They crawl onto a potential host and embed themselves under the host’s skin. There are a large variety of tick species, and not all are harmful to humans. Most people contract disease from just three species: blacklegged ticks, dog ticks, and lone star ticks. 

Contrary to what some believe, ticks cannot jump, fly, or drop from trees. 

When are ticks active?

Ticks can be active anytime that the temperature is above 39°F. Even in areas with cold winters, they may be active on milder winter days. In California, ticks are typically most active from late spring to early summer (March to June).

Where do ticks live?

Ticks can be found all over the United States and Canada. However, they mostly live in wooded areas, especially places with long grass, dense shrubbery, and decaying leaves on the ground. Conservation areas, hiking trails, and campgrounds in North America are likely home to ticks.

Why are tick bites potentially dangerous?

Ticks carry a variety of bloodborne diseases, and they may spread pathogens to humans and pets through their bites. The diseases ticks carry vary by species, which is why identifying the type of tick bite is an important part of diagnosis. 

The most common disease ticks spread is Lyme disease. In California, we are most likely to see American dog ticks, Western black-legged ticks, and brown dog ticks, which may carry other diseases such as:

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a bacterial infection characterized by high fever, rashes, sensitivity to light, and nausea and vomiting. 
• Anaplasmosis, a bacterial infection characterized by fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches. 
• Babesiosis, a parasitic disease that infects red blood cells and may cause fever, chills, body aches, nausea, and fatigue. However, some sufferers show no symptoms.

Most of the diseases spread by ticks are highly treatable with antibiotics. However, without appropriate treatment, they often prove to be fatal. If you believe you may have a tick borne illness, you should seek medical attention immediately.

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection passed through tick bites, and it is the most common illness transmitted by ticks. Ticks that carry Lyme disease may be found across the United States, Canada, and Europe. However, most people who have Lyme disease don’t remember being bitten by a tick. That’s why it’s important to know the symptoms so you seek treatment before the disease advances to its later stages.

Lyme disease symptoms typically appear 3 to 30 days after you’re bitten, and symptoms usually escalate in three phases. One of the hallmark symptoms of Lyme disease is a circular rash that appears around the tick bite, though not everyone experiences it. You may also experience fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.

Without treatment, Lyme disease can last for months or even years. It will not go away on its own, so if you suspect you may have Lyme disease, you should visit your doctor or your nearest urgent care center as soon as possible.

How can I prevent tick bites?

Fortunately, there are several ways we can protect ourselves against ticks:

• Wear long sleeves and pants.
• Wear light-colored clothing to help you spot ticks before they bite.
• Use tick repellent on your clothes, camping gear, and skin.
• Do a full-body inspection for ticks before returning indoors.
• Thoroughly check your pets for tick bites, especially after time outdoors.
• Wash your clothes with hot water and use the dryer. High heat kills ticks.
• Remove any ticks you find with tweezers.

How can I check myself or my pet for ticks?

Tick bites may appear anywhere on your body. Feel for unusual bumps, and look for tiny dark spots. Check your entire body, including your head and hair, ears, underarms, chest area, belly button, groin area, legs, behind your knees, and between your toes. You should also check your back by using a mirror or asking someone else to help.

For pets, you should run your hands over your pet’s body, beginning with their head, paying attention to lumps or bumps. Be sure to check under your pet’s collar, groin area, front legs, under their tail, and between their toes.

What should I do if I find a tick bite?

If you discover a tick bite on yourself or your pet, proper removal is key. Wear medical gloves if you have them and use tweezers to carefully grab the tick, as close to your skin as possible. Slowly pull the tick’s body away from your skin without jerking or twisting, then kill the tick by dropping it in alcohol. Do not crush it, as this may release bacteria the tick is carrying. Afterwards, wash your hands and the tick bite with soap and water, followed by alcohol to sanitize the area.

If you don’t feel confident removing the tick yourself, visit your nearest urgent care clinic immediately so we can remove it for you. Take a photo of the tick, or store it in a container in the freezer. If you become ill, identifying the tick can help doctors determine your diagnosis.

Whether or not you remove the tick yourself, you should visit your doctor or urgent care center as soon as possible.

Safeguard Your Health with Lincoln Urgent Care and Granite Bay Urgent Care

Whether you’re dealing with tick bites or any other health problem, we’re here for you at Lincoln Urgent Care and Granite Bay Urgent Care. With three accessible locations, we provide prompt diagnosis and treatment to a wide variety of concerns, and take pride in delivering high quality care at a price you can afford. Contact us or walk into one of our clinics today!

Lincoln Urgent Care (916) 258-2751

Granite Bay Urgent Care (916) 570-7265

Lincoln Urgent Care Roseville (916) 727-6846