Chances are you're doing everything to prevent being bitten by a tick as the season has arrived in Airdrie and Alberta.

But what do you do if one of those tiny critters latches on?

"Taking a pair of tweezers, you need to grasp the head and the mouth part, very close to the skin...pinch that, grasp that and then without squeezing the tick, pull it straight up off the skin." says Dr. Judy MacDonald with Alberta Health Services.

Dr. MacDonald also recommends that after a tick has been properly removed, to wash your hands and the affected areas.

Of course if you hope to prevent being bitten by a tick, Dr. MacDonald recommends that you be proactive.

"Try to not walk in long grasses for instance, because that's where ticks will be. Try your best to wear long pants that are tucked into your socks...wear long sleeves, wear a hat, if you wear light covered clothing, it's easier to see if there is a tick that's on your clothing."

With warmer climates bringing more species of ticks per year, Dr. MacDonald says they want you to submit any ticks you find so that they know more about them and what illnesses they carry.

You can learn more about tick removal, prevention or submitting one for study, you can visit the Health Alberta website.

 

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