It’s tick season!
It’s tick season! Not all tick’s carry Lyme disease. In Ontario Lyme disease is spread by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick (deer tick). Symptoms of Lyme disease usually occur between 3 days to 30 days after being bitten. These include a red rash that is clear in the middle (like a bull’s eye), headaches, body aches, and fever.
If you are bitten by a tick:
Remove it as soon as possible. Here is a video on proper tick removal
If you have been bitten and it was not a black legged tick, or if it was attached for less than 24 hours (with no symptoms), you do not need to see a health care professional. You do need to monitor for signs of Lyme disease for up to 30 days. A rash that does not expand or resolves within 24-48 hours is highly unlikely to be Lyme disease.
When to see a pharmacist: If you believe a tick has been attached for more than 24 hours, or if you are unsure how long the tick has been attached to you, and it has been less than 72 hours since removal, you can visit a pharmacist for assessment and consideration of a one-time antibiotic to prevent Lyme disease.
When to see a doctor or nurse practitioner: if the tick was attached for greater than 24 hours and you have signs of Lyme disease, you will require further assessment and may need a longer course of treatment with antibiotics.
It’s important to take measures to prevent tick bites, including applying an approved insect repellent containing DEET (not recommended for infants under 6 months), wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts, wearing lighter colored clothing, and doing a full body check after being outdoors.
For more information, visit Ottawa Public Health
