Ticks are small insects that are most prevalent during the warm months. Only deer ticks can transmit Lyme disease. Larger dog ticks do not transmit disease in this area. For a tick to transmit Lyme disease, it must attach to a person’s skin for more than 36 hours and feed.
Prevention
The best way to reduce the risk of diseases from ticks is to prevent ticks from biting or attaching to the skin.
- Insect repellent:
- Skin - 30% DEET is most effective at preventing ticks on the skin. Permethrin is not effective on skin to prevent ticks.
- Clothing – Permethrin applied to clothing and shoes is more effective at tick prevention than Deet on clothing
- Keep skin covered – especially in wooded areas or areas with long grass, wearing full length pants and tucking pants into socks is helpful
- Tick checks – everyone living in an area where ticks are common should perform nightly tick checks during the warm months. Rapid discovery and removal prevents ticks from transmitting diseases. Keep in mind that ticks are very small and love to be in warm dark places like the armpit, groin, around the ear and on the back of the neck. Run a fine toothed comb through your child's hair to check for ticks in the hair.
Tick removal
Rapid detection and removal of ticks prevents the risk of disease transmission, as ticks need to be attached for more than 36 hours in order to transmit disease. Keep in mind that not all ticks transmit diseases so just because you suspect a tick has been attached for more than 36 hours does not mean your child will develop Lyme disease.
The best way to remove a tick is to get a firm grasp with a good pair of tweezers as close to the skin as possible, and pull firmly. If you see a lot of ticks in your family, it might be worth investing in a great pair of tweezers. It is OK if you don’t remove all of the tick. It will work its way out like a small splinter. Keep the area clean and apply antibiotic ointment for a few days.
There is no benefit to sending ticks to a lab for evaluation. We do not routinely do this. If a tick is removed you can discard it like any other insect.
Lyme Disease Prevention
In certain situations, an antibiotic can be prescribed to prevent the development of Lyme disease after a tick bite. Criteria include:
- The tick is identified as an engorged deer tick and was attached for at least 36 hours
- The tick was removed within the last 72 hours
Call our office during regular hours if these criteria apply to your child.
Takeaway message
Tick bites are most common in the spring and summer months. The best way to reduce the risk of ticks is through prevention and quick detection.
When to call
Call our office if you are unable to remove a tick from your child, if the area of tick removal becomes red, hot and swollen or if you have any questions about tick bites or removal of ticks.
Additional information
Additional information for tick bite prevention and tick removal is available from the American Academy of Pediatrics.