Children’s health: Keep your kids safe from ticks this summer

As summertime family activities are in full swing, simultaneously, so is tick season. And while most tick bites are harmless, some ticks can spread diseases like Lyme disease. Knowing how to protect your kids, check for ticks and respond to bites can help keep your family safe.

“There are no vaccines to prevent tick-borne illnesses,” says Dr. Danielle Chierian, a pediatrician at Lurie Children’s Primary Care at Town & Country Pediatrics. “That’s why prevention and early detection are so important.”

Ticks are often found in grassy or wooded areas, especially during warmer months. When your family goes hiking, camping, or even just walking in tall grass, you’re more likely to run into ticks.

“Have your kids wear long pants, long sleeves and socks when playing or hiking in tick-prone areas,” says Dr. Chierian. “Use insect repellent on any exposed skin, and make sure the product is approved for use on children.”

After spending time outside, it’s important to check your children — and pets — for ticks. Ticks like to hide in warm, hard-to-see spots.

“Look under the arms, behind the knees, around the groin, on the scalp and behind the ears,” says Dr. Chierian. “A mirror can help you see spots on your child’s back or head.”

Also check clothing, gear, and even your pets before coming indoors, since ticks can latch on and later crawl onto a person.

If you find a tick on your child, don’t panic.

“Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, usually by the head,” Dr. Chierian explains. “Pull straight up with steady pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick, and don’t use matches or oils to try to kill it.”

After removing the tick, clean the bite area with soap and warm water. You can also swab the area with rubbing alcohol and apply an antibiotic ointment.

Some ticks can swell after feeding, making them easier to spot. A deer tick, which can carry Lyme disease, is about the size of a poppy seed before it feeds. After feeding, it may appear round and bloated.

“If the tick is very small, you can scrape it off using the edge of a credit card,” says Dr. Chierian.

Just because a child has a tick bite doesn’t mean they will get sick. But it’s good to keep an eye out for certain signs.

“You should call your child’s doctor if the tick was attached for more than 24 hours, or if you couldn’t remove it completely,” says Dr. Chierian. “Also watch for fever, rash or signs of infection in the days and weeks after the bite.”

Lyme disease is more likely if a deer tick was attached for over 36 hours and looked swollen, not flat. In high-risk cases, your pediatrician may recommend a preventive dose of antibiotics.

“If you’re not sure, schedule a visit — either in person or via telemedicine,” Dr. Chierian advises. “We can help assess the risk and decide whether treatment is needed.”

Preventing tick bites begins with simple steps like dressing appropriately, using repellent, and doing thorough tick checks. If a bite happens, knowing what to do can make all the difference.

“With a little caution and care, families can enjoy the outdoors while staying protected from ticks,” says Dr. Chierian.

• Children's health is a continuing series. This column was provided by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.