Oxford County Public Health is offering up some tips to protect yourself from Lyme disease this summer.
Oxford County Public Health is encouraging residents fight the bite and protect yourself from blacklegged ticks.
Blacklegged ticks are a concern because they have been known to carry Lyme disease. Manager of Health Protection Peter Haywood tells Heart FM that the ticks thrive in wet environments and tend to live in tall grasses.
"Blacklegged ticks or deer ticks can be found anywhere in Ontario but their are some risk areas in Ontario where the prevelance of an infection is higher. Some of these risk areas may be visited by Oxford County residents, namely Turkey Point, Long Point or Pinery Provincial Parks. In Oxford County we don't have any established risk areas but they may be hitching a ride into Oxford County by migratory birds."
Haywood says only 58 percent of residents said they actually check their bodies for ticks after venturing outside. If you find a tick on your body you should bring it to the health unit for testing.
The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to protect yourself from tick bites in the first place. Oxford County Public Health recommends these tips to fight the bite:
1. Use an insect repellant that contains 20-30% DEET
2. Wear clothing treated with permethrin
3. Take a shower as soon as you can after coming indoors
4. Look for ticks on your body. Ticks can hide under the armpits, behind the knees, in the hair, and the groin.
5. Put clothes in the dryer on high heat for 60 minutes to kill any remaining ticks
More information about personal protection and tips to reduce your risk is available on the Oxford County Public Health website.
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