Lyme Disease

Preventing tick bites

Take the following precautions to reduce the risk:

• Use tick repellents that contain DEET or Icaridin and follow manufacturer’s directions for ticks.
  • Repellents containing up to 20% icaridin, also known as picaridin are safe for children 6 months of age and older.
  • Health Canada advises that DEET-containing repellents are not to be used on children under 6 months of age. DEET may be considered for children 6 months to 2 years of age if there is a high risk of infection if the child gets bitten. For these children, use DEET 10% or less, apply once a day and use sparingly; avoid application to the face and hands.
  • For children 2 to 12 years of age, apply DEET no more than three times a day and use the least concentrated product (10% DEET or less). For children older than 12 years of age and adults, products containing no more than a 30% concentration of DEET will provide sufficient protection. Apply sparingly.
  • There is no indication that there is a hazard to an unborn or nursing child associated with the use of DEET by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
  • For more information on insect repellent use for young children, visit caringforkids.cps.ca
• Cover up
  • Light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants may make ticks easier to see.
  • Wear socks and closed footwear.
• Check for ticks
  • Check and re-check yourself by paying special attention to your scalp, ankles, armpits, groin, naval and behind ears and knees. Do the same for others in your care.
• Wash and dry
  • Shower or bathe after coming inside to wash away loose ticks and to check for attached ticks.
  • After outdoor activity put clothes in a dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill any ticks.
• Check your pets
  • Check your pets regularly
  • Talk to your vet about protecting your pets from ticks.

If you live or work in a woodland area there are other steps you can take to prevent bites.

How to remove a tick

Remove the tick promptly to decrease the risk of getting Lyme disease.

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Do not use your fingers.
2. Pull up with a steady motion. Do not squeeze, smother, burn the tick or use other remedies.
3. Clean the bite area with soap and water or hand sanitizer.
4. If the tick was attached for longer than 24 hours, ask your health care provider if preventive antibiotics are appropriate for you.
5. Watch for signs and symptoms of Lyme disease. See your health care provider if you develop symptoms. Left untreated Lyme disease can cause serious health problems.

In the KFL&A area, ticks do not need to be submitted to KFL&A Public Health for testing. The testing of ticks is not intended to guide diagnosis and could result in a delay of appropriate treatment.

Lyme disease symptoms

Symptoms of Lyme disease often occur within 1 to 2 weeks. Sometimes symptoms can appear as early as 3 days or as late as 30 days after a bite with an infected tick.

Symptoms can include:

• Fever

• Headache

• Muscle and joint pain

• Spasms, numbness and tingling

• Facial paralysis

• Fatigue

• Swollen glands
• Spreading skin rash. If rash is present, it commonly does not look like a bullseye. 

See your health care provider right away whether you have symptoms or are just feeling unwell in the weeks following a tick bite.

Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics. Left untreated, Lyme disease can last years and cause recurring arthritis, and neurological problems.