Tick bite

In general: Tick bite in children

When traveling through woodlands and tall grass, children and adults are at risk for tick bites.

Ticks are insects that bite into the skin and attach themselves so that they can suck blood. Various types of ticks can transmit diseases.

For example, the wood tick (or dog tick) can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Colorado tick fever.

The deer tick, found throughout large parts of the United States, can transmit Lyme disease when they attach to the skin, through a spirochete known as Borrelia.

Not all ticks are carriers of this disease, however, a large proportion of ticks in the New England states, Wisconsin, and Minnesota are infected with the spirochete that causes Lyme disease.

However, even if the tick is carrying the germ, only a few people who are bitten become sick.

Home treatment / Prevention

When you and your child are traveling in areas where there may be ticks, you should take some simple precautions:

• Wear long trousers and keep your ankles well covered. It is a good idea to pull your socks up over your trousers. 
• Insect repellents, applied to the skin, as well as to clothing, can help prevent tick bites. For young children, products that contain less than 10% "DEET" (the active ingredient in most insect repellents), are both safe and effective. 
• Inspect your skin and clothing after walking in an area where there are ticks. Check the child's whole body thoroughly for ticks every night before bed.

When to seek medical advice

Most people have no problems after a tick bite, and you do not need to contact your doctor for uncomplicated, minor reactions at the bite wound.

See the doctor immediately or call 911 if:

• The child is having difficulty breathing or any type of severe reaction from the bite 

Make an appointment with your doctor if:

• You notice that your child's face seems lop-sided, or their smile is crooked.