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Tick Bites (Lyme Disease Prevention)

Found a tick on yourself or your child after a walk in Mer Bleue, Petrie Island, or the backyard? Don't wait — this is the most time-sensitive minor ailment there is. A single preventive dose of antibiotic can dramatically cut Lyme disease risk, but only if started within 72 hours of removing the tick. Our Orleans pharmacists can assess the bite and prescribe it on the spot, free with OHIP.

Ottawa is an established Lyme disease risk area, and blacklegged (deer) ticks are active from snowmelt to snowfall. The good news: a tick generally must stay attached for at least 36 hours to transmit Lyme disease, so prompt removal dramatically lowers the risk.

What to do the moment you find a tick

Remove it with fine tweezers, gripping as close to the skin as possible and pulling straight up slowly — no twisting, no petroleum jelly, no matches. Clean the site with soap and water, save the tick in a sealed bag or container if you can, and note the date. Then come see us: preventive doxycycline is prescribed when the tick is a blacklegged tick attached at least 36 hours (or visibly engorged), the bite occurred in a Lyme risk area like Ottawa, and treatment can start within 72 hours of removal.

Reported Lyme disease cases in Canada rose from 144 in 2009 to over 3,100 in 2021 as blacklegged ticks expanded their range — and Ottawa is now an endemic area. Tick season here runs roughly April to November, any day above freezing.

Common signs and symptoms

A tick attached to the skin — often in warm areas: hairline, behind ears, armpits, groin, behind knees
Minor redness or swelling at the bite within 24 hours (a normal reaction, under 5 cm)
Watch for 30 days afterward: expanding or bull's-eye rash, fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint aches

Treatments our Orleans pharmacist can prescribe

For your information only: in Ontario, our pharmacist can assess this condition and, when appropriate, prescribe from the medications listed below. This information is provided for educational purposes — it is not an offer to sell. These are treatments that require a pharmacist assessment, and the right option is chosen for you.

Antibacterials: Doxycycline (a single preventive dose)

Self-care that helps

Tick-removal tools and fine tweezers
Antiseptic cleansers for the bite site
Insect repellents with DEET or icaridin for prevention
Cover up on trails: long sleeves, pants tucked into socks, light colours to spot ticks
Do full-body tick checks after outdoor time — especially on kids and pets — and shower within 2 hours

Browse related over-the-counter options in our Tick Bites (Lyme Disease Prevention) self-care collection, or ask us in store — our pharmacists will point you to what actually helps.

How the assessment works

1. Walk in or callNo appointment or referral needed. Drop by our pharmacy on St-Joseph Blvd in Orleans during opening hours, or call ahead.

2. Private consultationA licensed pharmacist reviews your symptoms, health history and medications in a short, private assessment.

3. Prescription in handIf appropriate, we prescribe and fill your treatment on the spot — you leave with what you need.

Frequently asked questions

The tick was on me less than 24 hours. Do I need the antibiotic?

Probably not — Lyme transmission generally requires at least 36 hours of attachment, so a promptly removed tick carries low risk. We'll still assess the bite, help you estimate attachment time from the tick's engorgement, and tell you what to watch for.

What if it's been more than 72 hours since I removed the tick?

The preventive single dose is no longer recommended past 72 hours. Instead, watch for symptoms for 30 days — especially an expanding rash or flu-like illness — and see a physician promptly if any appear, mentioning the tick bite.

Should I get the tick tested?

Public health tick testing is used for surveillance, not treatment decisions — results take weeks, far beyond the 72-hour window. Bring the tick with you if you saved it; identification (blacklegged vs. dog tick) is part of our assessment and can be done visually.

Is the pharmacist assessment covered by OHIP?

Yes. The minor ailment assessment is free with a valid Ontario health card. You only pay for the medication itself if one is prescribed, and that is often covered by your drug plan.

Do I need an appointment at your Orleans pharmacy?

No. Walk-ins are welcome during all pharmacy hours — Monday to Friday 9:00 AM–6:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM. You can also call 613-824-3111 ahead of your visit.

When to see a doctor instead: See a health-care provider promptly if, in the weeks after a tick bite, you develop an expanding circular or bull's-eye rash (it can appear days to weeks later), fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint aches, or swollen lymph nodes. Watch for symptoms for at least 30 days after any bite.

Found a tick? The clock is running.

Skip the walk-in clinic wait. Our Orleans pharmacists assess and prescribe for tick bites — free with your Ontario health card.

Call 613 · 824 · 3111 Hours & directions

Serving Orleans and east Ottawa — Fallingbrook, Avalon, Chapel Hill, Queenswood Heights, Blackburn Hamlet, Navan & Cumberland. 2746 St-Joseph Blvd, Unit 100, Orleans, ON K1C 1G5.