HOW TO REMOVE A TICK:

• Use a fine-tipped tweezer to grasp the tick as close to the 
  skin’s surface as possible

• pull upward with steady even pressure, don’t twist or jerk-
 this can cause the mouth parts to break off and remain in the skin.  If you are unable to remove all parts, do not attempt to dig out any  remaining pieces. Leave the bite alone and let the skin heal.

• After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and 
  your hands with soap and water, antiseptic, or rubbign alcohol.

Monitor for signs of Tick-Borne illness for the next 2-6 weeks. These symptoms may include a bullseye rash anywhere on the body, fever, joint pains, increased fatigue/lethargy. If these symptoms are present  your child will need to be seen by the pediatrician for an evaluation and potential diagnosis. In some cases, the use of prophylactic antibiotics is warranted. Call our office to talk with one of our nurses to see if antibiotics are appropriate for your child.

TICK DETECTION:

Most important in prevention of Lyme Disease is early detection of tick bites. Doing daily “tick checks” on your children after playing outdoors in the spring and summer is essential. If the tick has been attached for <24 hours, your risk of Lyme disease is extremely small.

INSECT SPRAY:

Along with protective clothing (hats, long pants)  insect spray is important in lyme and insect bite prevention. Use of an insect spray with at least 10% deet or permethrin for application to skin and/or clothing is recommended in order to prevent tick and insect bites. Products that have both sunscreen and insect spray in them are usually less effective and not recommended (however insect spray and sunscreen individually may be applied at the same time). Parents should apply insect spray to their children taking care to avoid hands, eyes, and mouth.  Parents should apply the spray to their own hands and then apply to the child. Take care after returning indoors to wash your child's treated skin and clothes with soap and water.