ENJOY THE OUTDOORS WITHOUT A TICK!

From HEALTH CANADA, ONTARIO REGION

You can enjoy the warm weather and outdoor activities by preventing tick bites that can cause Lyme disease and other infections like anaplasmosis.

Before your outdoor activity, take the following precautions to prevent tick bites:

• Wear light-coloured long-sleeved shirts and pants to spot ticks more easily.

• Tuck your shirt into your pants and pull your socks over your pant legs.

• Use bug spray containing DEET or Icaridin on your skin and clothing (always follow the directions on the label).

• Walk on cleared paths or walkways. When you return, take time to specifically inspect these 10 areas of your body (favourite tick hiding spots):

o Head and hair

o In and around the ears

o Under the arms

o Around the chest

o Back (use a mirror or ask for help)

o Waist

o Belly button

o Around the groin

o Legs and behind the knees

o Between the toes

What to look for: You may not notice a tick bite because ticks are tiny and their bites are usually painless. Feel your skin for bumps and see if there are any tiny black dots. Most people get Lyme disease after being bitten by a nymph, which is about the size of a poppy seed (1.15 mm) or an adult female tick, which is about the size of a sesame seed (3 mm).

Found a tick? Remove it immediately to reduce the risk of infection. Don’t forget to also check your pets!

More at Canada.ca/LymeDisease. You will also find awareness resources available in multiple languages.