Tick Removal & Lyme Disease Testing in Fairfield, CT
Summer is full of countless adventures. From walks through the woods to sports camps, it is a great time to be outside. This can also increase the chances for exposures to ticks, however. Thankfully, there’s DOCS Urgent Care. We proudly serve the Fairfield, CT area with professional treatments and board certified physicians.
Our Fairfield patients are welcome to call ahead and make appointments or come to our office for a walk-in appointment. We are open weekdays from 8am to 8pm and weekends from 8am to 5pm. We ask that you provide a photo ID, as well as a current insurance card. We have a downloadable form to help speed up the process of your visit. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call and ask us. Your health is our priority.
QUALITY, AFFORDABLE CARE
DOCS URGENT CARE – FAIRFIELD
ADDRESS
525 Tunxis Hill Cut Off, Fairfield, CT 06825
PHONE: 203-870-1973
FAX: 203-870-1976
HOURS
Weekdays: 8AM – 6PM
Weekends: CLOSED
Why get tested?
With all of the fun activities surrounding spring, summer, and fall months, there are also some things we should look out for. Ticks become more prevalent, especially in areas with greater foliage. Ticks are known to carry various viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens that can spread to human and animals when bitten. There are several different types of ticks, but the East Coast is home to the Ixodes Scapularis, which is also the primary carrier of Lyme Disease.
Lyme Disease can be contracted by a tick that has previously bitten an infected animal, and then shared it with another. Ticks like to hide in long grass and brushy area. If you spend a lot of time outside or working in grassy areas, it is important to be checked regularly for ticks. If you have experienced a tick bite, getting tested early can help prevent increased complications with Lyme Disease.
getting checked for lyme
Ticks are small and can sometimes be easy to look over. They are often black or brown and color. After experiencing a tick bite, it’s important to check for Lyme Disease. A ring-like rash is also a recognizable symptom. Our goal at the DOCS Urgent Care serves the people of Fairfield with quality care and treatment for ticks bites. Following a tick bite, some of these symptoms might occur:
Some Symptoms of a Tick Bite Will Include:
- Fever/Chills
- Headaches, Fatigue, Muscle Aches
- Nausea
- Rash (Usually seen at the site of the tick bite)
Diagnosis & Treatment of lyme disease
Here at DOCS Urgent Care in Fairfield, we check for Lyme Disease with a blood test. This test checks for antibodies that may be infected. Using an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) test, we can determine diagnosis and alter proper treatments. With Lyme Disease, sometimes people who are affected will not always show up positive. Similarly, people who are not affected may be registered as falsely positive. This could be a result of several different factors, but with DOCS Urgent Care, we seek to provide our Fairfield patients with accurate and quality treatments.
With a diagnosis determined early on, recovery tends to be significantly quicker. We encourage people who have experienced a tick bite to receive treatment as soon as possible.
Protect Yourself From Tick Bites
- Avoid Wooded Areas and High Grass
- Walk in Center of Trails
- Wear long sleeves and pants when working with brush or in other common area of ticks
- Use repellents that contain 20-30% DEET
- Use products that contain 0.5% permethrin on clothing.
- Examine clothes, backpacks and pets after coming back from any outdoor activity
Tick Removal
Finding a tick is rarely a wonderful sight, and it is important to know how to safely remove it. Removing a tick quickly and properly can decrease the risk of Lyme Disease. Follow the listed procedure for tick removal:
- Using only fine-tipped tweezers, gently grab the tick.
- Steadily, pull it upward without squeezing or twisting, as to avoid leaving part of the tick stuck inside.
- After safely removing the tick, gently wash the bitten area with soap and water. If available, also wash with rubbing alcohol and iodine scrub.
- With the tick removed, wrap is up in a napkin, tape, or cloth, then place it in a sealed bag or container. You can also submerge the tick in alcohol.
The Care When You Need It in Fairfield
DOCS Urgent Care proudly serves all people in the Fairfield, CT area. Our network reaches to various parts of Connecticut, helping as many people as possible with affordable, professional, and quality care. Giving you a healthy body is our goal.
