Lyme Disease is On The Rise in Canada

The best way to prevent infection is to avoid tick-infested areas whenever possible, especially in the spring and early summer when nymph ticks feed.  Adult ticks are a bigger threat in the fall.  Ticks favour moist, shaded environments, especially leafy wooded areas and overgrown grassy habitats.

Top 5 Tick Habitat Precautions:

• Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Tuck your pants into your socks to prevent ticks from getting inside your pants.
• Check your clothes for ticks often. Ticks will climb upwards until they find an area of exposed skin.
• Wear light coloured clothing to make it easier to spot ticks.
• Walk on pathways or trails when possible staying in the middle. Avoid low-lying brush or long grass.
• Apply insect repellent to your skin and clothing, especially at the openings such as ankle, wrist and neck.

Canada is home to many species of ticks, but the Ixodes Tick (known as the black legged or “deer” tick) is the most common Lyme-carrier.

Lyme disease is a challenge to diagnose and can be even tougher to treat. Whether you have reason to suspect infection, or you’ve just been diagnosed, it’s important to learn all you can about this complex illness.  The Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation is a great resource, go to www.canlyme.com to learn more.

Lyme disease is preventable. By taking the right precautions and spreading the word, you can effectively protect yourself and your family from Lyme.

The Temagami Medical Centre and Family Health Team…
committed to keeping you as healthy as possible!