With the temperatures rising and the seasons changing, people are excited to get outside and enjoy all that New England offers. Unfortunately, ticks also enjoy this time of year and are highly active. Did you know that April through June are the months with the highest amount of reported tick bites? From prevention to identification and treatment, you must protect yourself from ticks.
Prevention
Before going on a camping trip or simply walking your dog, you can take steps to help prevent tick exposure.
Know Your Surroundings: Ticks primarily live in brushy, wooded areas and can be found on grassy lawns.
Use Sprays and Treatments: Treat gear and clothing with products containing .5% permethrin. YAYA Organics Tick Ban is an all-natural tick spray that is safe on the skin and for pets. YAYA Organics Tick Ban is sold at all ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care centers. Be sure to stop by!
Regularly Check Yourself and Pets: Especially after being outside, it is important that you do a full body check. When examining a pet, be sure to check within the fur, close to their skin.
Tick Bite Identification
While ticks should not prevent you from enjoying the great weather, take tick bites seriously. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the United States, and symptoms can range from mild to severe. Here are some of the common signs of a tick bite:
Visual Symptoms: 
Signs of Illness: Fever, chills, aches, and pains are also indicators of tick-related diseases. If you are experiencing these symptoms, seek care from a medical provider. ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care centers offer comprehensive services, including tick removal and Lyme disease testing and treatment.
Click here for more information about ticks and tick-borne illnesses from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention!