Ticks are nasty creatures that love to latch onto you and drink your blood. Passing on all sorts of diseases and illnesses along the way, such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Q fever, Colorado tick fever, tularemia, and more. Luckily there are several ways you can protect yourself against ticks and reduce your chances of contracting an illness from them. One way is by going to a compounding pharmacy in Calgary for help. However, prevention is key, so here are some tips on how to protect yourself against ticks.
Prevention Before Going to a Compounding Pharmacy in Calgary
Keep to Footpaths & Avoid Long Grass When Out Walking
Ticks are not as big of a problem in urban areas as in rural areas, but they can still be found. If you live in a forested place, avoid trails that lead into woods and dense, long grass where ticks tend to hide. Try to take the difficult way around when possible.
Wear a Long-Sleeved Shirt
Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and is spread through ticks. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of a tick. Lyme disease is diagnosed through a blood test, but it can take up to several months to diagnose if you are bitten by a tick carrying the disease.
Tuck Your Trousers Into Your Socks
Ticks love to cling onto trousers and socks, so always tuck your pants into your socks. Tuck your trousers into your socks and wear sneakers that cover the length of your socks.
Use Repellent
Use repellent on exposed skin and clothes if you know you will be out walking in grassy areas. Try to avoid synthetic perfumes, as they attract ticks (one of the reasons why dogs often get bitten more frequently than humans).
Wear Light-Coloured Clothes
Wear light-coloured, tight-fitting clothing to make it easier to spot ticks on the skin. A tight weave on apparel is also best because it makes it harder for ticks to penetrate. The hair around your ankles and wrists should be kept short.
Check Yourself for Ticks & Remove Any at Once
Check yourself for ticks every hour or so when you are out walking. Remove ticks immediately with fine-tipped tweezers. If you wear glasses, remove your glasses so you can see them properly.
Check Your Children & Pets for Ticks
Pets often get ticks and show no signs of them. You should check your children if they are out in the garden too. The tick can attach for around 36 hours before passing on the disease it is carrying.
Use a Tick Exterminator on Your Yard & Garden
If you live in an area with thick grass and woods, you should talk to a pest controller to use a tick exterminator in your garden and yard. These devices take out families of ticks hiding under grass or around garden plants. They are used to exterminate fleas from pets too.
Ticks are an unpleasant experience if you find one attached to your skin. If you are out in the woods, on a park walk or on a forest trail, and see a lot of grass and leaves, it is best to avoid them. If you don’t have that option and still need to go in that area, try using some tick repellent. Also, use precautions like wearing dark colours, tucking your trousers into your socks and even wearing gloves when working in the garden.
Springborough Pharmasave is your health professionals committed to serving the Springborough community. Our pharmacy in SW Calgary provides you with all you need for your health, including healthcare advice and medical products. We offer vaccinations, flu shots, breast pump rentals, and can act as your travel clinic in Calgary. Giving back to the community is a core value at Pharmasave. Further, we are proud of our work to help the Springborough community. Visit us at 104-30 Springborough Blvd, Southwest Calgary, or call us at (403) 453-6113.
