Lyme disease: how to take charge

submitted by The Health Coop Hemmingford & region  (August 2016)

The media has sounded the alarm in the area recently about the dangers of contracting Lyme disease, but they have not told anyone how to detect it, how to treat it, much less how to prevent it. Coop Santé Hemmingford and region respects its mission by educating the population on the public health problems of the region.

Lyme disease is transmitted by only one kind of tick, the black-legged tick. And yet, it must be specially infected to transmit the disease. If it bites you, it must be removed with tweezers with particular attention to not separate the head from the body. Once removed, make sure that nothing is left in the wound and wash the whole area with clean water and mild soap. Keep the tick in a sealable bag and take it with you if you develop symptoms to allow experts to analyze it. It is normal to have a small red bump that irritates within the first 48 hours, but if it keeps growing and you develop general symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, stiff neck and muscle and joint pain, go to the ER immediately.

Ticks are present between April and October and their number increases especially in May and September. They are present on the top of blades of grass or the edges of leaves, waiting for a warm blooded mammal to pass. To prevent their presence at home, cut the lawn often, keep the cords of wood and the bird feeders away from the house, change the sand under the swing set to mulch and keep rodents away from your home. For more information, visit the website Healthy Canadians, the link is on our Facebook page.

Of course, it is always possible to see the nurse at the Coop Santé Hemmingford and region if you have doubts or concerns. Also, the Coop is doing its best to attract as many professionals as possible and is already affiliated with a physical therapist, a certified kinesiologist, a nutritionist and a family therapist.