What to do if you find a tick on your body this summer
Removing the insect within the first 24 hours greatly reduces your chance of getting Lyme disease
Health authorities in Southwestern Ontario are warning vacationers to be wary and to protect themselves while camping and swimming this summer along Lake Erie's north shore after a tick collected in the Port Burwell area tested positive for the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
In a news release published Wednesday by Southwestern Public Health, officials say the deer tick, also known as a black-legged tick, was found in the Port Burwell area, a small community located on the north shore of Lake Erie about 40 minutes east of St Thomas.
The location has prompted health authorities to remind people to be on guard as summer vacation season ramps up at beaches, parks and campgrounds along Lake Erie's northern shore.
- See a map from Public Health Ontario showing tick hot spots in the province
In particular, health officials say popular provincial parks, such as Turkey Point and Long Point are considered high-risk areas when it comes to ticks that carry Lyme disease.
What to do if you find a tick
If you discover a tick on your body, health officials recommend removing the parasite with fine tip tweezers and submitting it to public health officials for identification.
Tips to avoid getting ticks:
- Use an insect repellant with 20 to 30 per cent deet
- Wear long sleeves and fully closed footwear in tick-prone areas
- Wear light-coloured clothing to make the parasites easy to spot
- Take a shower as soon as you come in from the outdoors
- Check for ticks, with particular attention to armpits, back of the knees, hair and the groin
If removed within the first 24 hours, it greatly reduces your chances of getting Lyme disease, according to officials.
If the insect is discovered on a pet, such as a cat or a dog, health officials recommend following up with a veterinarian, noting that it's important to check family pets regularly for parasites so that they don't put your family at risk by bringing them indoors.
Symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue and an expanding red rash, which can sometimes resemble a bull's eye.
Lyme disease can lead to arthritic symptoms, cardiac issues, extreme fatigue/weakness and nervous system disorders, if left untreated.