Minor Ailments

Tick Bites

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

Protecting Yourself from Tick Bites

Tick bites are a growing concern in Canada, particularly in wooded and grassy areas during warmer months. Certain ticks, especially the blacklegged tick, can transmit Lyme disease and other illnesses. Prompt removal of an attached tick and monitoring for symptoms is essential. Your PharmaChoice pharmacist can advise on safe tick removal, assess your risk of infection, and in some provinces prescribe preventive antibiotic treatment where appropriate.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

A tick bite itself is usually painless. Signs of concern include a red bull’s-eye rash (erythema migrans) around the bite site, fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms may appear days to weeks after the bite and should be assessed by a healthcare provider.

How Your Pharmacist Can Help

Your PharmaChoice pharmacist can guide you through proper tick removal, assess your risk based on the tick type and duration of attachment, and in eligible provinces may prescribe a preventive dose of doxycycline. They can also recommend products to help prevent future tick bites.

Find Tick Bite Advice Near You

Visit a PharmaChoice pharmacy near you for guidance on tick bites and Lyme disease prevention. Our pharmacists are here to help you stay safe.

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to important questions about tick bites, Lyme disease risk, proper removal techniques, and when to seek treatment.

How do I safely remove a tick?

Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure without twisting. Clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Do not crush the tick with your fingers.

Do all ticks carry Lyme disease?

No. Only the blacklegged tick (deer tick) can transmit Lyme disease in Canada, and not all blacklegged ticks are infected. Risk depends on the tick species, geographic area, 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 must be attached for at least 24–36 hours to transmit Lyme disease. Prompt removal 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 PharmaChoice pharmacist if this service is available in your area.

How can I prevent tick bites?

Wear long sleeves and pants in wooded areas, use DEET or picaridin-based insect repellents, perform full-body tick checks after outdoor activities, and shower within 2 hours of coming indoors.

Get care guidance and treatment support from your pharmacist.

Our pharmacists can assess symptoms and prescribe treatments for minor ailments.