shutterstock_2000064611.jpegAs we move into the warmer months, tick-borne illnesses become a growing health concern for many of our patients. One of the most common and potentially serious tickborne diseases is Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi carried by deer tick. At Falcon Urgent Care, we believe that informed patients are empowered patients—so here’s what you need to know about recognizing, preventing, and treating Lyme disease.

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks (also known as deer ticks). These ticks are most active from late spring through early fall, though exposure can occur any time temperatures are above freezing.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms

Early symptoms usually appear within 3 to 30 days after a tick bite and may include:

  • A distinctive “bullseye” rash (erythema migrans) around the bite site or multiple areas of rashes
  • Fever and chills
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle and joint aches
  • Swollen lymph nodes

It is important to note that not all individuals with Lyme disease develop a rash, and some symptoms may be mistaken for viral infections or other illnesses. If untreated, Lyme disease can progress to more serious complications involving the joints, heart, and nervous system, including:

  • Facial palsy (drooping or weakness on one side of the face)
  • Severe joint pain or swelling
  • Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
  • Neurological symptoms such as nerve pain, tingling, or diQiculty concentrating

Diagnosis and Treatment

If Lyme disease is suspected, diagnosis is typically based on clinical history, physical examination, and laboratory testing. Early-stage Lyme disease is most effectively treated with a 2- to 4-week course of antibiotics.

Prompt treatment generally leads to full recovery. However, a subset of patients may experience lingering symptoms—commonly referred to as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS)—including fatigue, cognitive diQiculties, and joint or muscle pain. These cases are managed symptomatically and with continued clinical support.

Prevention: Your First Line of Defense

Preventing tick bites is the most eQective way to avoid Lyme disease:

Personal precautions

  • Wear long sleeves and pants, and tuck pants into socks when hiking or walking through grassy or wooded areas.
  • Apply insect repellents with DEET (check labeling for use in children) or permethrin-treated clothing.
  • Perform full-body tick checks including the scalp after spending time outdoors, especially on children and pets.
  • Shower within two hours of being outdoors to reduce risk of attachment.
  • Promptly and properly remove any attached ticks with fine-tipped tweezers if possible.
  • Placing clothes in a dryer — Placing dry clothing in a dryer for about four minutes after outdoor activities may kill ticks and reduce your risk of being exposed to ticks.

Changes to your environment

  • Install a tall fence to keep out deer, which are common tick carriers.
  • Clear forest borders and lay a 36-inch wood chip barrier to reduce mouse and tick habitats.
  • Keep lawns well-trimmed and increase sun exposure to make the environment less favorable for ticks.
  • Apply tick-killing products (e.g., bifenthrin or permethrin) to the property to reduce tick populations, though this hasn’t been proven to lower disease risk.

If you remove a tick and are unsure of your risk, call our oQice for guidance on whether monitoring or preventive treatment is appropriate.

We’re Here to Help

At Falcon Urgent Care our providers are experienced in the evaluation and treatment of tick-borne illnesses, including Lyme disease. It is important to remember that Lyme disease If you’ve been bitten by a tick or are experiencing symptoms, please schedule an appointment promptly. Early intervention is key to preventing complications.

For more information, or to book a consultation, please contact our office at 724 235 6000, info@falconerurgentcare.comUrgentcarecranberry.com Your health is our priority. Stay safe and enjoy the outdoors this season—just be ticksmart while doing it!