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Symptoms, Prevention, Tick Removal, and When to Visit Urgent Care   As temperatures rise across Alabama, tick season is in full swing. Whether you’re hiking, hunting, fishing, gardening, working outdoors, or enjoying time in your backyard, it’s important to know how to prevent tick bites and recognize the signs of tick-borne illnesses. Ticks are common throughout Alabama and thrive in wooded areas, grassy fields, parks, and even residential yards. While many tick bites are harmless, some ticks can transmit diseases that require prompt medical attention. Understanding the risks can help keep you and your family safe while enjoying the outdoors.   When Is Tick Season in Alabama? Tick season in Alabama typically begins in the spring and continues through the summer and early fall. However, Alabama’s warm climate allows ticks

Warm weather and summer swimming go hand in hand—but spending more time in the water can sometimes lead to swimmer’s ear. Whether you’re spending your days at the pool, lake, beach, river, or water park, it’s important to know the signs of swimmer’s ear, how to help prevent it, and when it’s time to seek medical care. Ear pain after swimming is one of the most common reasons people visit urgent care during the summer months. Also known as otitis externa, swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear canal that can affect both children and adults. Fortunately, with early treatment, most cases improve quickly. At Stopwatch Urgent Care, we treat swimmers’ ear and other summer illnesses and injuries for patients of all ages.   What Is Swimmer’s Ear?