(LymeDisease.org photo)
As warm weather returns, so do outdoor activities and the risk of tick bites, which can cause Lyme disease and other infections like anaplasmosis. To enjoy the outdoors safely, there are several precautions you can take. Before heading outside, dress smart by wearing light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and pants to easily spot ticks. Tuck your shirt into your pants and pull your socks over your pant legs. Apply a bug spray containing DEET or Icaridin on your skin and clothing, following the label directions. When walking, stay on cleared paths or walkways to avoid tall grass where ticks are common.
After your outdoor activity, inspect your body for ticks, focusing on areas where they love to hide: head and hair, in and around the ears, under the arms, around the chest, back (use a mirror or ask for help), waist, belly button, around the groin, legs and behind the knees, and between the toes. Tick bites are usually painless and ticks are tiny, so feel your skin for bumps and look for tiny black dots. The ticks that most commonly transmit Lyme disease are nymphs, about the size of a poppy seed (1.15 mm), and adult female ticks, about the size of a sesame seed (3 mm).
If you find a tick, remove it immediately to reduce the risk of infection. For guidance on proper tick removal, watch the Lyme disease video: How to properly remove a tick. Remember to also check your pets, as ticks can affect them too. For more information, including resources available in multiple languages and for Indigenous communities, visit Canada.ca/LymeDisease. Stay safe and enjoy your time outdoors.
(Written by: Emma Butler)
