TICK TALK 

Now that summer is here, many of us will be heading into the great outdoors to enjoy hiking, camping and other recreational activities. If you’re spending time in tall grass, brush or wooded areas, you may be exposed to insect or tick bites. Ticks are tiny arachnids that feed on the blood of humans and animals and in very rare cases, can transmit disease-causing bacteria. While less than 1% of ticks in BC carry the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease, the condition can be serious for those infected.

“There are a number of precautions you can take to protect yourself against tick bites,” says Dr. Dee Hoyano, Medical Health Officer for the Vancouver Island Health Authority. “First, make sure you’re covered-up; wear light-coloured clothing including a long-sleeved shirt that you can tuck into your pants and then tuck your pants into your boots   or socks.”

Other steps you can take to protect yourself against tick and insect bites:

*   Walk on cleared trails wherever possible.
*   Apply insect repellent containing DEET on all uncovered skin and reapply as directed.
*   Carefully check clothing, scalp (whether wearing a hat or not) and any exposed      skin when leaving an area where ticks might live.
*   Regularly check pets for ticks.
“Lyme disease is uncommon on Vancouver Island,” adds Dr. Hoyano.  “The disease    can be serious however, so it’s worth taking steps to avoid being bitten.”

Ticks are easiest to spot when they are actually sucking blood. The feeding tick’s    mouth will be under the skin, but the rest of it (which is blue-grey in colour) will be   visible. A tick should be removed carefully, without crushing it.  

SOURCE:  VIHA

To find out more about ticks or what to do if you find one:
Healthlink BC:   http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile01.stm.
BCCDC Lyme Disease information: http://www.bccdc.ca/dis-cond/a-z/_l/LymeDisease/default.htm

PRINTABLE FLYER ON TICK AWARENSS