How to Check and Remove Ticks
“The easiest way to prevent tick-borne illness is daily tick checks after exposure to a possibly tick-endemic area,” Dr. Arielle Ornstein, a Rye Brook, NY-based pediatrician. “The ideal method for tick detection is in the bath, focusing on those areas easily accessible to ticks, such as armpits, groin, scalp and behind ears.” This not only enhances visualization of ticks but can also wash off any unattached ticks, including reducing exposure to ticks remaining on clothing. According to Dr. Teresa Amato, Chair of Emergency Medicine at LIJ Forest Hills in New York, “Showering shortly after being outdoors (within two hours) has been shown to reduce risk of getting Lyme disease.” If you find a tick, prompt removal is strongly recommended. According to Dr. Ornstein, multiple scientific studies have shown that a tick must be attached for over 36 hours in order to transmit any illness. “Ticks should be removed using a tweezer or forceps by grasping tick as close to the skin surface as possible and pull up firmly,” she says. Try not to squeeze, jerk or twist. Clean skin with warm water and soap." Once the tick is removed, Dr. Amato says to dispose of it by submersing it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. “Never crush a tick with your fingers, as this may transmit disease.” Monitor for a rash at the site of the tick bite, which can occur up to 30 days following. According to Dr. Ornstein, any testing for Lyme Disease cannot be done for a minimum of 3-4 weeks, and even then false positives are very common. Stay in touch with your doctor if you are concerned about your child’s skin and symptons post-tick removal.
Beware of deer ticks
According to pest control company Orkin, deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) feed on other large mammals as hosts, including humans. Humans, considered accidental hosts of deer ticks, may (unfortunately) contract Lyme disease from bites, making them the ones to keep an eye on around kids. Livestock and domestic animals can also be hosts, so yes, the family dog should also be checked for ticks. For more info about deer ticks, and how to recognize one, click here.
I’m pretty sure my child has a deer tick. Now what?
Do you show the tick to the pediatrician?
What is the best type of bug spray for kids?
Tick-removing products:
Tick Key A popular item, this is how the the tick key works: Place the key over the tick in the slot, then pull key away from tick sliding along the skin. Voila! The tick is removed easily, head and all! Best for removing deer ticks and can be used on bothe humans and pets. Made from high-strength anodized aluminum. Tick Twister Just hold the handle between your thumb and index finger and slide the ‘fork’ end of the tool toward the tick until it is caught between the two prongs. Lift the tool very lightly and rotate in either direction several (2-3) turns. You will feel when the tick has released its mouth.
