Precautions to prevent tick bites

Spring has finally sprung in our area as evidenced by the three tulips in my garden. Obviously the squirrels have consumed the rest of the bulbs I planted. Last week I received a news release from the Ministry of Health that is timely information to share with everyone. As temperatures start to climb the Ontario government is encouraging people across the province to take precautions to prevent tick bites and reduce the risk of contracting Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, when enjoying the outdoors.

Lyme disease and other tickborne diseases can cause potentially serious infections if you are bitten by an infected blacklegged tick, commonly called a deer tick. If you have any symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, muscle and joint pain, fatigue and an expanding circular rash that resembles a bullseye, consult your health care provider as soon as possible.

If you are living, working, visiting, or enjoying outdoor activities in a wooded area, or an area with tall grass and bushes (including city gardens and parks) you are at greater risk of being bitten by a tick. You can protect yourself from tick bites by:

■ Wearing light-coloured clothing, so it is easier to spot ticks.

■ Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants tucked into your socks, closed-toed shoes, or any special clothing designed to repel ticks.

■ Applying insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin on your exposed skin and your clothes.

Checking yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks after being outdoors. Any ticks found should be removed promptly.

Putting your clothes on high heat in a dryer for at least 10 minutes before washing them, after spending time outdoors.

Ticks are very small and hard to see. When found, it should be removed immediately using finetipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible without crushing it. Once you have removed a tick, wash your skin with soap and water and then disinfect your skin and your hands with rubbing alcohol or an iodine swab.

Before disposing of the tick, call or check the website of your local public health unit to get advice on how to identify the tick. You can also submit a photo of the tick to etick.ca for identification. The areas where ticks can be found continue to grow so it is important to share location information for public sharing.

If you have any health concerns after a tick bite, consult a health care provider as soon as possible. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics, and pharmacists have been able to prescribe medication to treat tick bites to prevent Lyme disease since January 1, 2023.

Infected blacklegged ticks can be found almost anywhere in the province. Since 2021, there have been almost 5,000 cases of Lyme disease, 17 cases of anaplasmosis (bacterial infection transmitted by ticks), and 10 cases of babesiosis (parasitic infection transmitted by ticks) in Ontario.

Some other facts of interest: While ticks are most active in spring and summer, they can be found during any time of the year when the temperature is above freezing. Tick testing is only done with ticks collected by your local public health unit using a method called tick dragging. These test results are used to monitor where infected and uninfected ticks live. Removing a tick is done the same way for humans and animals.

Even if ticks tick you off, take the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and the sunshine. Winter comes too quickly and lasts far too long.

Information in this column is compiled by Shell-Lee Wert, CCSH, 470 Dundas Street East, Unit 63, Belleville, K8N 1G1. Please visit our website at or email me at shellleew@ccsh.ca, or call 613-969-0130 or 613-396-6591 for information and assistance. Community Care is a proud United Way member agency. Funding in part from Ontario Health East.