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Tick Bites
The proper way to remove a tick is to use a set of fine tweezers and grip the tick as close to the skin as is possible.
The proper technique for tick removal includes the following:
- Use fine tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible.
- Pull backwards gently but firmly, using an even, steady pressure. Do not jerk or twist.
- Do not squeeze, crush, or puncture the body of the tick, since its bodily fluids may contain infection-causing organisms.
- After removing the tick, wash the skin and hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- If any mouth parts of the tick remain in the skin, these should be left alone; they will be expelled on their own. Attempts to remove these parts may result in significant skin trauma. If you need further assistance you can refer to this website. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Tick Removal
The chances of getting Lyme disease are extremely small if the tick is removed in less than 24 hours. If you find a tick on your child, remove it immediately. It is often difficult to remove the entire tick. If a small part of the tick remains embedded in the skin, that is okay. There is no longer a risk of transmission of disease once the tick is dead. Clean the area well with soap and water. If there is part of the tick remaining in the skin, apply antibiotic ointment regularly and watch for signs of local infection. There is no need to save the tick. If the tick has been present for less than 24 hours, or if it is not a deer tick, the risk of Lyme disease is almost zero. If the deer tick has been present for more than 24 hours, watch your child closely over the next month for the early symptoms of Lyme disease. Some people with Lyme disease will have flu-like symptoms with or without a rash. These symptoms may include: lack of energy, which is the most common symptom, appetite loss, headache and stiff neck, fever and chills, muscle and joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes.
Here's what you need to know about preventing Lyme disease:
Protect your child's skin from the sun.
