The arrival of warmer weather means ticks have arrived in Lambton County and residents need to take precautions from being bitten.
Ticks are tiny, slow-moving bugs, about the size of a sesame seed, which feed on blood. They cannot fly. They move about the ground slowly or settle on tall grass and bushes until they attach themselves to a person or animal passing by. While most tick bites do not result in disease, some do.
Lyme disease is an infection caused by a bacteria transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick (deer tick). The disease cannot spread from person to person. The blacklegged tick (deer tick) is found sporadically throughout Ontario. Not all tick bites will result in disease. Even a bite from an infected tick results in only a small chance of getting the disease. Further, the American dog tick is the most commonly identified tick in Lambton County and it is not an efficient transmitter of Lyme disease.
The most common symptom is a red bull's-eye rash that appears at the site of the tick bite within 3 to 30 days (average 10 days). Flu-like symptoms may also occur during the early stages of the disease. Later stages of Lyme disease can involve arthritic, cardiac, and neurological complications. If detected early, Lyme disease can be easily treated with antibiotics.
Protect yourself from tick bites by following these precautions:
Be aware of tick habitat - tall grass, bushes and wooded areas. Stick to trails and avoid direct contact with plant growth.
Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirt, socks, closed-toed shoes and a hat. Tuck shirt in pants and pants in socks. Light colours make ticks easier to spot.
Apply an insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or skin. Follow label instructions.
Use a tick and flea collar for pets; check pets periodically. Pets can bring ticks inside.
After an outing, wash your clothes, have a shower and wash your hair. Do a "tick check" on yourself, your family and pets. Pay extra attention to scalp, groin and armpits.
If you find a tick, use tweezers to grasp the tick's head as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out using steady pressure. DO NOT twist, squeeze, or burn the tick. Any ticks found can be submitted to the Community Health Services Department for identification.
Anyone who has been bitten by a tick and develops the above mentioned symptoms should see their doctor.