Tick season is here and with it comes a higher risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. To help you stay safe outdoors, we asked Dr. Sull, Chief and Medical Director of Emergency Medicine at Mackenzie Health how to protect yourself before and after a tick bite:
How to prevent tick bites
- Cover up: Wear light-colored clothing, long sleeves and pants. Tuck pant legs into socks to block access to skin.
- Use repellent: Apply insect repellents that contain DEET or icaridin to exposed skin — both help keep ticks away and are safe when used as directed. You can find these repellents at most pharmacies, grocery stores or outdoor supply shops.
- Stick to trails: Avoid brushing up against tall grass, dense vegetation and leaf litter.
- Check your yard: Keep grass short, remove leaves and brush piles and discourage deer from entering your property if applicable.
- Inspect and shower: After outdoor activity, check your body (and your pets) for ticks. Shower within two hours to help wash off ticks that haven’t yet latched on.
If you find a tick
- Remove it safely: Use fine-tipped tweezers or a specially designed tick removal tool, which can be found online or at pharmacies, pet stores and outdoor supply shops. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight up — do not twist or crush.
- Clean up: Wash the bite area and your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer.
- Save the tick: Place it in a sealed bag or container (optionally with rubbing alcohol) and consider submitting it to www.etick.ca for identification.
- Alert your local public health unit: After removing the tick and saving it, contact or visit your local public health unit’s website to get advice on whether it needs testing or follow-up.
- Monitor your health: For up to 30 days, watch for signs like fever, chills, fatigue, joint pain or a rash — especially the classic “bullseye” pattern.
Considering preventative treatment after a tick bite
You may be eligible for a single dose of doxycycline if:
- The tick was a blacklegged tick,
- it was attached for at least 24–36 hours,
- you’re in or have visited a high-risk area and
- you seek treatment within 72 hours of removal.
Speak with a health care provider to evaluate your situation.
When to contact a health care provider
- If you are unable to remove the tick yourself or feel unsure of how to do it safely
- If you’re unsure how long the tick was attached
- If you notice a bullseye rash or redness larger than 5 cm
- If you develop flu-like symptoms: fever, chills, muscle or joint aches or fatigue
For more information, visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/tick-borne-diseases