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Tick Talk: Protecting Your Kids from Ticks and Lyme Disease 

As the weather gets warmer, kids naturally want to spend more time outside—from running through the grass and exploring trails to building forts in the woods. But along with all that fresh air and fun comes something a little less welcome: ticks. 

These tiny creatures can seem like a small nuisance, but they can carry serious diseases, most notably Lyme disease. The good news? With a little knowledge and a few simple habits, you can significantly reduce your child’s risk.  If you do suspect Lyme disease, PM Pediatric Urgent Care can diagnose your child and help you accept treatment quickly.  

Here’s what every parent should know. 

What Are Ticks, and Why Are They Dangerous? 

Ticks are small, spider-like insects that feed on the blood of animals and humans. They thrive in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, and they’re especially active during spring and summer. 

The biggest concern with ticks in many regions of the U.S. is that some can carry and transmit Lyme disease—a bacterial infection that can cause serious, long-term health issues if left untreated. 

Other tick-borne illnesses include babesiosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but Lyme disease is by far the most common. 

What Does a Tick Look Like? 

Ticks are tiny—often no bigger than a poppy seed—especially in the early nymph stage (which is when they’re most likely to transmit Lyme disease). They can be black, brown, or reddish, and they may swell in size after feeding.  There are different types of ticks, but only one transmits Lyme disease (the Ixodes scapularis, also knows as a “deer tick”).  Unfortunately, it is challenging to differentiate the different types due to their small size and variable appearance depending on their age. 

How to Prevent Tick Bites 

The best way to protect your child is to prevent tick bites in the first place. Here’s how: 

1. Dress for Defense 

2. Use Tick Repellent 

3. Stick to the Center of Trails 

4. Check Pets, Too 

How to Do a Proper Tick Check 

Ticks like warm, hidden areas, so after outdoor play, it’s important to check your child carefully. Do this as soon as possible, ideally within two hours of coming indoors. 

Key spots to check: 

Use a bright light and a fine-tooth comb to help part hair and see more clearly. 

What to Do If You Find a Tick 

If you spot a tick on your child, don’t panic—but do remove it promptly and carefully. 

The Classic Method to Remove a Tick: 
Most adults likely remember having their own ticks removed as a child via the classic “tweezer method,” which can be done using the steps below: 

  1. Use fine-tipped tweezers. 
  1. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. 
  1. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking. 
  1. Clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. 
  1. Dispose of the tick by placing it in alcohol, sealing it in a bag, or flushing it down the toilet. 

However, there’s an even easier way to remove a tick and it is completely pain free.  
 
The New (and Easier!) Method to Remove a Tick: 
Our PM pediatric experts love sharing this method with parents, as it can’t get any easier. You don’t even need to dig out your tweezers – just grab some Vaseline or an antibiotic ointment.  

  1. Place ointment (Vaseline or antibiotic ointment) on the tip of cotton swab 
  1. Rotate the swab around the head of the tick for 1-2 minutes 
  1. This causes the tick to twirl around and eventually release from the skin 

Treatment After a Tick Bite 

  1. Our PM Pediatric Urgent Care locations can offer single dose of an antibiotic (doxycycline), if the child is seen within 72 hours of tick removal.  This can effectively prevent Lyme disease! 
  1. If the tick is removed, but a small fragment of the tick remains, you don’t have to worry – the body will express the fragment over time.  But you should still consider coming into our office for a single dose of an antibiotic as mentioned above – to be safe. 

Optional: Save the tick in a zip-top bag for a few days in case your child develops symptoms—some doctors may want to see it. 

What Is Lyme Disease? 

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted primarily through the bite of Ixodes scapularis, also knows as a “deer tick.” 

It’s more common in certain parts of the U.S., especially the Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest. Most cases occur in late spring through early fall, aligning with peak tick season. 

Signs and Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Kids 

Symptoms can appear anywhere from 3 to 30 days after a tick bite. Not all kids will have the same symptoms, but common early signs include: 

If untreated, Lyme disease can lead to more serious complications > 30 days after a tick bite.  These symptoms usually have no known history of a tick bite (often tick bites are missed), but are diagnosed with lab testing.  These include: 

What to Do If You Suspect Lyme Disease 

If your child develops a bull’s-eye rash or other symptoms of Lyme disease, contact your pediatrician or visit our pediatric urgent care right away. The earlier the diagnosis, the easier Lyme disease is to treat—usually with a course of antibiotics. 

At a PM location near you, we can evaluate symptoms, check for signs of infection, perform lab testing if indicated, and initiate treatment if needed. 

Final Tips for Parents 

When in Doubt, We’re Here for You 

Tick bites can be scary—but they don’t have to ruin your family’s outdoor fun. With the right prevention and quick action, you can keep your child safe, healthy, and enjoying the season. 

If you’re concerned about a tick bite, rash, or any symptoms of Lyme disease, give us a visit. Our providers are trained to treat kids from babies through young adulthood, and we’re here to give you peace of mind when you need it most. 

Find a PM Location Near You!