Tick Bites 1

Once the warm weather has arrived in New Jersey, there are many wonderful activities for children to participate in. Along with the fun of being outdoors, there are also some common things that parents need to look out for; one such problem is tick bites. Many children will at some point be bitten by a tick. Although most of the time this is not something to worry about, there are a few things that you should do.

The first step is prevention

The best protection from ticks is to never get bitten in the first place. Ticks tend to live in wooded areas and around animals. When your child is going to be in a tick infested area, it is best to dress him in long sleeved clothes and to tuck his pant legs into his socks. Light colored clothes also make it easier to see a tick. You can apply an insect repellent that contains permetherine to your child’s clothes, or one that contains DEET to the skin. 20% DEET should be protective for several hours. Once a day, you should check your child’s skin for ticks. Be sure to check everywhere, including in the scalp, on the back of the neck and under the armpits.

How to Remove a Tick

If you do find a tick on your child, you will need to remove it immediately. The best way to do this is with tweezers. Gently grab the tick and slowly pull it upward until it releases its grip. Do not twist or crush the tick. Wash your hands and the site of the bite with soap and water after you’re done.

What to do next

Most tick bites are harmless, but occasionally they can transmit disease. You should call your child’s doctor if:

• The area of the bite looks infected (very red and swollen, warm, painful, or with pus oozing out)

• A red rash develops on your child in the weeks following a tick bite (especially a red ringed rash)

• Your child develops flu like symptoms including fever, headache, fatigue, chills, or joint aches within several weeks of the bite

A Word about Lyme Disease

Many parents are concerned about Lyme Disease. The Deer tick is the only kind of tick that can transmit Lyme Disease. This tick starts out about the size of a pin head, then enlarges and becomes easy to see after it has fed. The deer tick must remain on your child’s skin for at least 24 hours and become engorged for there to be any chance of it transmitting Lyme disease. If you follow the steps above, you’ll minimize the chance of contracting this disease.

Erin Lindenberg, M.D.

Dr. Lindenberg is a board certified pediatrician at Tenafly Pediatrics, P.A. and works in their office located at 350 Ramapo Valley Road, Oakland, N.J. The office phone number is 201.651.0404.