Caring for Your Child After Removal of a Tick

Your health care provider removed a tick from your child's skin. Most tick bites are harmless. But some ticks carry germs that can cause illness. Follow these instructions to care for your child, and call your health care provider if you see any signs of illness.

• Once a day for about a month, check your child's skin (especially around the area of the tick bite) for any signs of a rash.

• Follow the health care provider's instructions for giving your child any medicine or using any cream or ointment.

• If the tick bite area itches, place a cool washcloth or cold pack wrapped in a towel to the bite area for 10–20 minutes.

Your child:

• develops a rash of any kind, especially a red bull's-eye rash

• has redness, swelling, pain, or drainage from the tick bite site

• has a fever, swollen glands, tiredness, or a headache

• complains of swollen or aching joints or muscles

Can a tick bite cause illness? Most tick bites do not cause illness. But sometimes ticks can lead to Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, or erlichiosis. Typical symptoms for these illnesses include fever, rash, headache, and muscle and joint pain. Sometimes more serious symptoms happen. All of these illnesses are treated with antibiotics.

How can I protect my child from another tick bite? To help prevent future tick bites:

• Have your child wear long-sleeved shirts and pants (and tuck the pant legs inside socks) when in wooded areas.

• On children older than 2 months, use insect repellent containing 10–30% DEET before outdoor activities. Apply only once a day and wash off with soap and water once inside. Don't use repellents with a concentration of DEET above 30%.

• Spray permethrin insect repellent on your child's clothing and gear. Do not spray permethrin on the skin.

• Check your child's whole body for any ticks after he or she has been outdoors. Pay special attention to the scalp, behind the ears, around the neck, and under the arms.

What is the best way to remove a tick if my child gets another one? To remove a tick:

1. Use tweezers to grasp the tick firmly at its head or mouth, next to the skin.

2. Pull firmly and steadily on the tick until it lets go (do not twist or yank the tick).

3. Swab the bite with rubbing alcohol or wash with soap and water.

4. Check to see if any parts of the tick remain in the skin. If so, call your health care provider.

5. Save the tick in a closed container or a zippered plastic bag in case your health care provider wants to do testing on it.