Ticks might look like insects, but they’re not. They’re part of the arachnid family, which includes spiders. When a tick bites, it attaches itself to the skin and sucks blood. Most tick bites are harmless and don’t need medical treatment. But some ticks (like the deer tick) can carry harmful germs that cause illnesses like Lyme disease.
How can I prevent tick bites and Lyme disease?
While enjoying the outdoors, it’s important to remember that there are hundreds of kinds of ticks, and not all ticks carry Lyme disease. Here are some tips to help protect your family from the risk of a tick bite before heading out, and what to do after a day of exploring nature:
- Wear light-colored clothing to help you see ticks more easily.
- Wear closed shoes or boots, long-sleeve shirts, and pants.
- Tuck pant legs into socks or shoes for extra protection.
- Pull long hair back or wear a hat.
- When hiking, stay on trails and avoid bushy areas with tall grass and leaf litter.
- Use an insect repellent with between 10% to 30% DEET in kids older than 2 years. Always follow the label directions for applying.
- Clothes also can be treated with a specific insecticide (like permethrin) to help prevent bites.
- Wash kids’ skin with soap and water when they come back inside. If you’ve been in an area with ticks, wash all clothes in hot water and tumble dry on high heat before they’re worn again.
Ticks removed within 36 hours are less likely to spread diseases. So, if you pluck the tick off right away, your child can’t be infected. Because ticks (especially deer ticks) are tiny, they may be hard to notice, so don’t forget to look in and behind ears, check the scalp, the groin area, behind the knees, and under the arms. Also remember to inspect pets, clothing, and camping gear, including backpacks and sleeping bags.
What causes Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. The deer tick is tiny, no larger than a pencil point, and it’s known to carry these germs that cause Lyme disease. Most of the disease is seen in these 13 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Your chances of getting Lyme disease in other states are lower, but not impossible, and according to some Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tracking data, its distribution may be expanding, so prevention is the best way to keep your family safe.
What are the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease?
When a tick bites, the person won’t feel it happen. There might be a little redness around the bite area because a tick’s saliva can be a little irritating to the skin. People with Lyme disease have the telltale bullseye rash about 70 percent of the time, but it can take up to 30 days to appear after infection. Some people don’t have any symptoms at all when they get infected. The early stages usually occur in the first few days and weeks, and symptoms may include:
- A rash at the site of the tick bite, which usually is round or oval. Some rashes have a clear middle (called a bullseye rash).
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
If not treated, the infection can spread to other areas and symptoms can include Lyme disease rash on other body parts not near the tick bite, irregular heartbeat, and neurological problems.
When should I call the doctor?
If you’re concerned about a tick bite, call your doctor, who may want you to save the tick in a sealed container or zippered plastic bag so the type of tick can be identified. Seek medical attention for Lyme disease if:
- Your child has had a tick bite, especially if the tick might have been on the skin for more than 24 hours.
- Part of the tick remains in the skin.
- A rash of any kind develops.
- The bite area looks infected (increasing warmth, swelling, pain, or oozing pus).
- Your child gets symptoms like a fever, headache, tiredness, stiff neck or back, joint swelling, or muscle or joint aches.
- Your child has facial paralysis (can’t move areas of the face).
Is Lyme disease treatable?
When treated with antibiotics, Lyme disease is entirely curable. Sometimes, doctors prescribe a preventive dose of antibiotics for kids at high risk. If the initial signs go unnoticed, then symptoms of Lyme disease such as spreading of the bullseye rash, severe headaches and neck stiffness, arthritis, Bell’s palsy (drooping on one or both sides of the face), and others can occur. These, too, are completely curable, and children don’t go on to develop long-term problems.
Where can I learn more about Lyme disease?
For ongoing information on Lyme disease and Lyme disease treatment, rely on credible sources such as the CDC and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. Stay informed about high-risk areas through local news and CDC resources like the Lyme Disease Surveillance and Data tool. If you encounter a tick, prompt removal is crucial; refer to the Nemours KidsHealth® guide for step-by-step instructions on tick removal. For Lyme disease treatment, consult your child’s pediatrician or a pediatric infectious diseases specialist.
