You might not be able to see them, but ticks are out there!
Healthcare workers in Connecticut are already seeing a stream of people into their offices to be treated for bites.
And they warn it's just at the beginning of the busy season for ticks.
“We make sure that we don’t have anything,” said Eric Lynch of Farmington.
Lynch and Kelley Dwyer know the drill: a tick check after walking at the West Hartford Reservoirs.
They try to be careful out here.
“We stay out of the areas that have the ticks in them. We try to stay on paths,” said Dwyer.
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For many people time enjoying the outdoors ends up with a trip for medical help, including to Hartford HeathCare-GoHealth Urgent Care in Newington.
“We have been seeing the tick season in full force. We see several patients a day that either have been bitten by a tick or still have the tick embedded,” said Samara Ambrosio, nurse practitioner.
Ambrosio has seen it all, including the ticks’ hiding spots.
“If we can see a rash straight away, a bull’s eye-type rash or large erythematous patch then often times we treat straight away for presumed Lyme disease,” said Ambrosio.
Ambrosio advises a wait and see approach if there’s simply redness and the tick was on for less than 36 hours.
What you’ll need to keep an eye out for are that bull’s eye rash and flu-like symptoms
About ten years ago, Kelley Dwyer says she was prescribed antibiotics after coming down with Lyme disease.
“I was fine after that. So I caught it quick. I got symptoms, typical symptoms. But again, not everyone does,” said Dwyer.
So the key is covering up when you’re outside and a complete body check when you return.
If you find a tick, gently take it out with tweezers.
Experts tell us the high-risk time is starting now through July, though this year is predicted to be more typical than last year’s bad season in the state.
