Tick Prevention for Kids in Omaha, Nebraska

There’s no denying it — summer is fantastic for outdoor family time! With school out for the season, bright sunshine, and a variety of activities available, families across the nation are spending time outside, together. This is incredibly important for kids’ health, and for building family relationships.

Unfortunately, it’s also peak season for tick activity, which is a topic many parents are concerned about. The friendly experts here at Nebraska Home Pediatrics & Parents know how scary tick bites can be, and we’re here to help you have safe, healthy fun outside this summer.

Why Ticks Are a Concern for Children

When it comes to spending time outside in the summer, it’s important to remember that most tick bites are completely harmless, and require no medical treatment other than normal insect bite care. However, there are potential risks that come with receiving a tick bite, including diseases like Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. It’s also important to note that ticks can begin being found as early as March — summer is simply when their prevalence is in full swing.

Recent research shows that deer ticks are present in Nebraska’s Douglas, Saunders, and Sarpy counties, and are known carriers of Lyme and other Lyme-like diseases.

How to Prevent Tick Bites in Children

While it’s not possible to completely protect your child from tick bites, there are a few methods you can use to aid in prevention.

• Wear light clothing – ticks are attracted to dark colors
• Wear long pants and socks
• Choose closed-toed shoes
• Avoid areas where ticks are prevalent
• Choose insect repellent with 10%-30% DEET in kids older than 2 years
• Use non-chemical methods for children under 2 years of age
• Perform tick checks immediately after being in tick-friendly areas
• Bathe children as soon as possible after tick check
• Wash clothing in hot water and dry on high as soon as possible

Maintaining your yard can also help toward tick prevention. Keeping grass short, pests controlled, and weed free can go a long way.

How to Check for Ticks on Children

Ticks are most-commonly found in wooded, brushy, and grassy areas. Even in your own backyard, if the grass is above your ankles. If your child has been playing in this kind of environment, we recommend you perform a tick check as soon as they are ready to come inside. When looking for ticks, check all over, specifically in the following places:

• Throughout the hair, including along the hairline and in and around their ears
• Any creases and joints of the body, including around the waist and between the legs
• Behind the knees
• Belly button

Have your kids shower right away, and wash clothing immediately for the most thorough protection.
Free Tick Testing in Nebraska

What to Do if You Find a Tick on Your Child

If you find a tick embedded in your child’s skin, don’t panic — the key is removing ticks safely. Simply find a pair of tweezers and use them to grasp the tick at the head or mouth, closest to the skin. Pull firmly until the tick is removed, and avoid twisting it or moving it back and forth. Disinfect the bite with alcohol, and save the tick in a sealed plastic bag, in case you notice your child displaying any concerning symptoms. Saving the tick allows you to get the tick tested for disease in order to know for sure.

Do not use a hot match or petroleum jelly to remove the tick, as it can cause the tick to bury itself further, and increase risk of disease.

Symptoms of Tick Bites and When to be Concerned

Tick-related diseases show a variety of common symptoms that parents can look out for, especially if you removed a tick from their skin. These symptoms include:

• Bullseye shape: if the bite forms a large red bump that is surrounded by an expanding red ring, this is a sign of Lyme Disease
  Red spots on wrists and ankles: this is a sign of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• Flu-like symptoms: muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, fever, headaches, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting
• Signs of infection: redness, oozing, swelling, pain, increasing heat
• Facial paralysis

If you notice these symptoms in your child, it’s time to call your provider at Nebraska Home Pediatrics & Parents.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ticks in Children

Can tick bites make my child sick?

Yes. While most tick bites are harmless, there is a chance that they can transmit disease to hosts. Checking for ticks and following the above recommendations can prevent illness.

How long does a tick need to be attached to transmit disease?

Depending on the type of tick, transmission can happen anywhere between 2 and 96 hours, making frequent tick checks an extremely effective form of prevention.

Should I save the tick after removal?

Yes. If you find a tick embedded in your kid’s skin, saving it in a sealed plastic bag is a good idea. If you begin to notice symptoms or are concerned, you can send the tick in to your local extension office for testing.

When to See a Provider After a Tick Bite

If you have found a tick on your child, removed it and are noticing concerning symptoms, we encourage you to call your provider here at NHP&P as soon as possible. The sooner your child is treated for tick-carried diseases, the better the outcome.

Book an Appointment Today

If you’re concerned about a tick bite and its related symptoms, call our office today to book an appointment with one of our experienced, friendly providers.

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