Tips and Tricks to Stay Safe from Ticks This Spring: Interior Health Guide
Spring is in the air, and with it comes the arrival of tick season. Interior Health has released a helpful guide for the community as they prepare for the potential increase in tick encounters. Ticks, small bugs that feed on the blood of humans and animals, can sometimes transmit diseases, making it important to take precautions to avoid tick-related illnesses.
The regional health authority has posted a list of tips and tricks on their website to help people stay safe during tick season. Dr. Fatemeh Sabet, a medical health officer at Interior Health, emphasizes the importance of simple steps such as covering up before heading outdoors, checking for ticks after outdoor activities, and doing regular skin checks to reduce the risk of tick-related illnesses.
If a tick is found, Interior Health advises wearing gloves and using needle-nose tweezers to carefully remove the tick without crushing it, as this could cause the tick to inject its stomach contents into the skin. It is also important to clean the area with soap and water after tick removal and to check carefully for any other ticks.
While most tick bites do not result in illness, it is important to seek medical attention if symptoms such as a bull’s-eye target skin rash or other signs of Lyme disease appear. Interior Health notes that Lyme disease-carrying ticks are more common in coastal areas of B.C., and individuals with acute Lyme disease may not notice the tick bite that precedes the illness.
For individuals in the region, wood ticks are the most common type of tick, which do not carry the Lyme disease bacteria but can transmit other diseases. It is important to be aware of the symptoms of tick-borne infections, which can include fever, headache, muscle pain, and rash.
As the community gears up for spring and warmer weather, Interior Health’s guide serves as a valuable resource for staying safe and protected during tick season. By following proper precautions and knowing how to safely remove ticks, individuals can enjoy the outdoors without the worry of tick-related illnesses.