Lyme Disease Testing and Treatment in Ossining, NY
Same-day assessment after a tick bite or rash, from a board-certified doctor
If you have found a tick, developed a rash after being outdoors, or come down with unexplained fever and aching in tick season, get it looked at rather than waiting. Lyme disease is very treatable when it is caught early, and considerably more difficult when it is not.
Immediate Medical Care MD in Ossining assesses tick bites and possible Lyme disease with same-day appointments and testing on site. Westchester County is an area where Lyme is common, and Dr. Anupama Pani has spent more than twenty years treating patients here.
Early Signs of Lyme Disease
Symptoms typically appear between three and thirty days after a bite. Many people never see the tick or the rash, which is why an unexplained summer illness in this part of New York is worth mentioning to a doctor.
Found a Tick? What to Do
✓ Safe Tick Removal Steps
- Remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers, gripping as close to the skin as possible and pulling straight out
- Do NOT twist, burn it, or apply petroleum jelly
- Clean the area afterwards
- Note the date and, if you can, keep the tick
- Watch the site for the following weeks and come in if a rash or symptoms develop
Bring the tick if you have it, and come in if you are unsure whether it was attached long enough to matter. That question is worth two minutes of a doctor's time rather than a month of worrying.
Testing, and Why Timing Matters
Why Early Testing Can Be Negative
Blood tests for Lyme detect your immune response rather than the bacterium itself, and antibodies take time to develop. A test taken within the first days or weeks of infection can come back negative even when Lyme is present.
So an early rash is often treated on clinical grounds without waiting for a test, and testing later has a role in different circumstances. Dr. Pani will explain which applies to you rather than simply ordering a test and reporting the number.
Treatment
Early Lyme disease is treated with a course of antibiotics, and most people recover fully. Getting treatment early is the single biggest factor in the outcome, which is the whole argument for coming in promptly rather than waiting to see whether the rash goes away.
If Symptoms Persist
Some patients continue to experience symptoms after treatment. That is recognised and it deserves to be taken seriously rather than dismissed. It is also an area where care belongs with an infectious disease specialist rather than in an urgent care setting, and we will refer you to the appropriate care.
When to Seek Emergency Care
⚠️ Go to an Emergency Room For:
- Severe headache with a stiff neck
- Facial drooping or weakness
- Heart palpitations
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or fainting
Lyme can affect the heart and nervous system, and those presentations need immediate assessment.
Walk In or Book an Appointment
Same-day appointments are usually available for tick bite assessment and possible Lyme disease.
Contact Us
📞 914-502-0881
📍 Address: 240D South Highland Ave, Ossining, NY 10562
Hours
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 2PM - 4PM (Appointments Only) | 4PM - 8PM (Appointments & Walk-Ins)
Saturday: 11AM - 1:30PM (Appointments) | 1:30PM - 3:30PM (Appointments & Walk-Ins)
Wed & Sun: Appointments Only
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after a tick bite should I be seen?
Come in promptly, particularly if the tick was attached for a prolonged period or you develop a rash or symptoms. Early treatment gives the best outcome.
Can I be tested for Lyme right away?
Testing detects your immune response, which takes time to develop, so a very early test can be negative even when infection is present. Early Lyme is often treated on clinical grounds. Dr. Pani will explain what is right for your situation.
Do I always need antibiotics after a tick bite?
No. It depends on the type of tick, how long it was attached and local risk. That assessment is exactly what the visit is for.
Is Lyme common in Westchester?
Yes. This region has a high incidence, and tick exposure is common for anyone spending time outdoors here, particularly in spring and summer.
What should I do if I can't find the tick that bit me?
Many people never see the tick. If you develop a rash, unexplained fever, or flu-like symptoms after being outdoors in tick season, come in for assessment. We can evaluate your symptoms and exposure risk even without the tick.
Related Services & Pages
Primary Care
Ongoing care and follow-up for Lyme and other conditions. Learn more →
X-Ray & Lab Testing
On-site diagnostics and blood testing. Learn more →
All Services
Complete list of medical services available at our clinic. View all →