STOP Tick Bites!
May 28th, 2015
As summer approaches we would like to give you some tips to keep your kids healthy and safe outdoors! With the warm weather many bugs are coming out, including ticks! Most tick bites are harmless and will not require medical treatment; however some ticks carry germs and diseases like Lyme disease.
Prevent Ticks
- Before going outside use insect repellent with 10%-20% DEET if your child is 2 years or older, make sure you follow the directions when applying
- When playing in wooded and grassy areas kids should wear long sleeve shirts and pants
- After being outside check skin and hair for ticks, common areas to look are the scalp, arm pits, behind ears, in the belly button and other small crevices
What to Do If You Find a Tick
- Using tweezers grasp the tick firmly by the head or mouth
- Pull firmly on the tick until it is removed from the skin
- Wash the bite with soap and water
- Clean the bite with alcohol
- DO NOT use petroleum jelly or a hot match to remove the tick, this can increase the chance of disease transmission
When to Seek Medical Care Following a Tick Bite
- If the tick was on the skin for 24 hours
- Parts of the tick is stuck in skin after removal
- Development of a rash
- Signs of infection including: warmth, swelling, pain, or pus
- Symptoms including: fever, headache, fatigue, stiff neck, joint soreness
Want to learn more? Check out this site:
- http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/
REMEMBER:
- Don’t forget to check your pets too!
- When in doubt, take action! Always give our office a call or send us a message on patient portal if your child gets a bite and you have any questions or concerns!
We are always here to help, Healthy kids = Happy Kids!
Resources:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/sheets/tick_bites_sheet.html
http://www.cdc.gov/features/stopticks/