By Jacqueline Simoneau
With summer comes exposure to bug bites and stings; while most are harmless, some can cause problems
Take Ticks Seriously
You may not even notice a tick bite at first, but it pays to be on your guard. “Ticks can transmit various infections, including Lyme disease,” says Dr. Caroline Marcoux-Huard, a public-health specialist at the CIUSSS (Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre) for the Mauricie and Central Quebec regions of Quebec. “The risk for disease transmission increases once the tick has been attached to the skin for 24 hours or more. That’s why it’s important to detect a tick quickly. When you get home after an outdoor activity, especially if you were in the woods or in tall grass, take a bath or shower and carefully inspect your body.”
If you find a tick, remove it as soon as possible. Grab it using fine-tipped tweezers or a special tick-removal tool; get as close to the skin as you can to avoid pressing on its abdomen. Pull it out gently but firmly and steadily, without turning the tick or squashing it. If the head stays under the skin, leave it there; nature will deal with it, and the skin will heal on its own. Place the tick in a sealed container on which you have written the date of removal and where the bite was on your body. Finally, wash your skin, your hands, and the tick-removal tool with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
A tick bite generally causes little or no pain or itching. The first symptoms of Lyme disease usually appear three to 30 days after the bite. The most common sign is redness at the site of the bite. “It spreads quickly to reach five centimetres [two inches] or more,” Marcoux-Huard says. “It can take several forms, including a bull’s-eye.”
If you experience fever, headache, aches, and fatigue, it’s best to see a doctor, who can prescribe an antibiotic. However, it’s important to note that while the chances of contracting Lyme disease are low following antibiotic treatment, some risk remains and you should monitor symptoms. Without treatment, the disease can cause cardiac, neurological, musculoskeletal, eye, or skin damage.
Six Anti-Mosquito Tricks
- When you’re hiking, wear light-coloured clothing with long sleeves, long pants, a hat, and closed shoes.
- Stay on paths.
- Don’t use scented products.
- Avoid exposure to mosquitoes when they’re most active: at sunrise and sunset.
- Cover food when you’re eating outdoors.
- Remove standing water near your home.
Mosquito Repellents
Insect repellent reduces the risk for insect bites. The most effective repellents contain DEET or icaridin. According to pharmacist Julie Coderre, icaridin is especially helpful, as it is less irritating to the skin. The duration of protection provided by insect repellents depends on the dose.
Only DEET with a concentration over 20% and icaridin at 20% are considered effective against ticks. Also, the duration of protection is generally shorter for ticks than for mosquitoes. If you follow the directions carefully, insect repellents containing DEET can be used safely.
Home Pharmacy
An insect bite rarely requires med- ical attention; you can usually treat any symptoms at home. Have these items on hand in case you need them:
• Soap and compresses. “Wash the site of the bite with soapy water first and then apply cold compresses to ease pain and re- duce swelling,” advises pharmacist Julie Coderre.
• Pain relief. For pain, acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can help.
• Topical antihistamine. If the itching is intense, you can use a cream (such as Benadryl) or a cortisone-based product. There’s no need to cover the site.
• Oral antihistamine. If the itching is intense, an oral antihistamine (such as Reactine) is recommended.
