The confines of social distancing have pushed a lot of people to spending more time outside, which can lead to tick bites.

As we enter the final stretch of summer, ticks are out in full force. Tick bites can be harmless, but can also lead to Lyme Disease. Dallas County Public Health Information Officer Ann Cochran says getting ahead of it early can be greatly beneficial, “If you are tested and begin treatment early on, it’s much more effective and you won’t have the lingering effects. Some of the things you might experience with a tick bite is fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, headache, neck stiffness, and swollen lymph nodes. If you have any of those symptoms, and have had a tick bite, call your doctor right away.”

Cochran says the bite will likely be a small, red bump, similar to the bump of a mosquito bite. If you are infected with Lyme Disease, the bite will turn into a rash where the inner portion of the bite will turn white, resembling a bullseye. Cochran says it’s best to wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors in heavily wooded areas, or where there’s tall grass.