CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an increase in emergency room visits for tick bites this summer, with the Northeast experiencing the highest number of cases.

Dr. Christopher Bazzoli, an emergency medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, offers advice on preventing tick bites and addressing them if they occur.

"There are a number of things we can do to help prevent potential contraction of Lyme disease and prevent tick bites," Bazzoli said. "We start with clothing, making sure the clothing is tucked in, good fitting socks, pants, long pants, long sleeve shirts, and then repellents are very effective.”

Bazzoli advises checking all areas of the body for ticks, including the head, as ticks often prefer warm, moist spots like under the arms or behind the knees.

If a tick is found, Bazzoli recommends using tweezers to remove it. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight up to ensure the entire tick is removed. If parts of the tick remain, use tweezers to extract them.

After removing a tick, clean the affected area with warm, soapy water to help prevent bacterial infection.

Bazzoli also warns to seek medical attention if symptoms such as a rash, fever, headache, or fatigue develop after a tick bite. Additionally, pet owners should check their animals for ticks, as pets can bring ticks indoors.