Tick Bites in Kids: What Parents Need to Know

As the weather warms up and kids spend more time exploring the outdoors, tick bites become more common—and understandably worrisome for parents. Here's what you need to know about preventing, identifying, and treating tick bites in children.

What Are Ticks?

Ticks are tiny, spider-like insects that feed on blood. They often live in grassy, wooded, or brushy areas. Some ticks carry diseases like Lyme disease (especially in Western Pennsylvania), which can be serious if left untreated.

Are Tick Bites Dangerous?

Most tick bites are harmless and don’t cause illness. However, some ticks (like the blacklegged tick or “deer tick”) can transmit infections such as:

• Lyme disease

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever

• Ehrlichiosis

Not all tick bites lead to disease, but it's important to act quickly and monitor your child after a bite.

What To Do If Your Child Gets a Tick Bite

1. Stay calm. Most tick bites are not dangerous.

2. Remove the tick promptly:

   • Use fine-tipped tweezers.

   • Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.

   • Pull upward steadily—don’t twist.

   • Clean the bite area with soap and water.

3. Save the tick in a plastic bag in case your pediatrician wants to identify it.

4. Watch for symptoms over the next 2–4 weeks:

   • Fever or rash

   • Fatigue, headache, joint pain

   • A red “bull’s-eye” rash (possible Lyme disease)

When to Call the Doctor

Reach out if:

• The tick wasn’t fully removed.

• Your child develops any symptoms of illness or rash.

• You’re unsure how long the tick was attached (especially if >36 hours).

We recommend preventive antibiotics if the tick was attached for more than 36 hours given the high incidence of Lyme Disease in Western Pennsylvania.

How To Prevent Tick Bites

• Use insect repellents with DEET, permethrin, or picaridin, on the outside of clothing.

• Dress kids in long sleeves, pants, and tuck pants into socks when hiking or playing in wooded areas.

• Do full-body tick checks after being outdoors—especially on the scalp, neck, behind the ears, and under arms.

Tick bites can be alarming, but with quick action and proper prevention, you can keep your child safe and healthy all summer long. If you’re ever unsure, reach out—we're here to help.

Questions or concerns about a recent tick bite?Call Dr. Loboda at Direct Pediatric Care because peace of mind is part of great pediatric care.

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