Minor Ailments

Tick Bites

Get helpful tick bite assessment and Lyme disease prevention guidance at your local RxHealthMed pharmacy.

Protecting Yourself from Tick Bites

Tick bites are an increasing concern across Canada, particularly in wooded and grassy areas during the warmer months. Certain ticks, especially the blacklegged tick, can transmit Lyme disease and other illnesses if left attached. Removing a tick quickly and watching for symptoms in the days that follow is really important. Your RxHealthMed pharmacist can advise on safe removal, help you understand your risk, and in some provinces prescribe preventive treatment where it is appropriate.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

Tick bites are usually painless, so you may not notice one right away. Signs that something needs attention include a distinctive red bull’s-eye rash around the bite site, fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms can show up anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after the bite and should be assessed by a healthcare provider.

How Your RxHealthMed Pharmacist Can Help

Your RxHealthMed pharmacist can walk you through safe tick removal, assess your risk based on the type of tick and how long it was attached, and in eligible provinces may be able to prescribe a preventive antibiotic dose. They can also recommend repellent products and other practical steps to help you avoid tick bites in the future.

Find Tick Bite Guidance Near You

Visit an RxHealthMed pharmacy near you for quick, knowledgeable support following a tick bite. Our pharmacists are here to help you assess your risk and take the right next steps.

Frequently asked questions

Have questions about tick bites and Lyme disease? Here you will find answers about safe removal, your risk of infection, what symptoms to watch for, and what your RxHealthMed pharmacist can do to help.

How do I safely remove a tick?

Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure without twisting. Clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water afterward. Avoid crushing the tick with your fingers.

Do all ticks carry Lyme disease?

No, only the blacklegged tick (also called the deer tick) can transmit Lyme disease in Canada, and not all blacklegged ticks carry the bacteria. Your risk depends on the tick species, where you were, and how long the tick was attached.

How long does a tick need to be attached to transmit Lyme disease?

In most cases, a blacklegged tick needs to be attached for at least 24 to 36 hours before it can transmit Lyme disease. Removing a tick as soon as you notice it significantly reduces your risk.

Can a pharmacist prescribe Lyme disease prevention medication?

In some provinces, pharmacists are authorized to prescribe a single preventive dose of doxycycline following a high-risk tick bite. Ask your RxHealthMed pharmacist whether this service is available where you live.

How can I prevent tick bites?

Wearing long sleeves and pants in wooded or grassy areas, using insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, doing a thorough full-body tick check after being outdoors, and showering within two hours of coming inside are all effective precautions.

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