NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO – Now that the warmer weather is here, the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) is encouraging the public to take precautions to prevent tick bites.
In Northwestern Ontario there are two main tick species: wood (dog) ticks and black-legged (deer) ticks. Wood ticks are not known to transmit tick-borne diseases, but black-legged ticks can transmit Lyme disease to humans.
“Preventing black-legged tick bites is an important step in preventing tick-borne disease,” said Thomas Nabb, manager of environmental health.
NWHU advises wearing long sleeves and pants while walking in tall grassy areas. Use insect repellent, but make sure to follow the product label.
Upon returning, check for ticks and put clothing in the dryer for 10 minutes. The heat will kill any tick attached to clothing.
NWHU said not to crush or damage the tick when it attaches itself to skin. Doing so will cause the tick to pass tick-borne diseases into the body.
The health unit wants the public to use fine-tipped tweezers and grasp the head of the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull it straight out, gently but firmly. Do not jerk or twist the tweezers while pulling the tick out. Do not squeeze the tick.
Do not use a lit match or cigarette, nail polish or nail polish remover, petroleum jelly (i.e.: Vaseline), liquid soap or kerosene to remove the tick. Use clean fine-tipped tweezers and grasp the head of the tick as close to the skin as possible.
Once the tick is removed, wash the skin with soap and water and disinfect the skin and hands with rubbing alcohol or an iodine swab.
If there is a concern that a tick-borne disease has entered the body, consult a health-care provider as soon as possible. Pharmacies prescribe medication to treat tick bites and prevent Lyme disease.
In most cases, Lyme disease can be prevented through treatment with antibiotics.
