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What is a tick?
Ticks are external parasites called arthropods and are related to spiders. They feed on blood sucked from humans or animals and can be as small as a sesame seed. If you find a tick on your child DON’T PANIC! Even if your child is bitten by a tick it is extremely unlikely they will become ill because NOT ALL TICKS CARRY DISEASES.
Ticks can be found across the country in woodland, fields, moors, parks and even gardens. They cannot jump or fly but can crawl and often fall from leaves or animals onto humans. It is wise to check for ticks if you’ve been around these areas; 60% of tick bites in children are above the waistline, usually neck and head.
What should I do if my child has a tick?
DO NOT pull the tick.
DO NOT squeeze the tick.
DO NOT burn the tick.
DO NOT put chemicals on the tick.
DO NOT cover the tick in Vaseline or creams.
DO Make sure the tick is removed as quickly as possible.
DO seek medical advice as soon as possible if your child gets a circular ‘bulls-eye’ rash around the area of the bite, a fever or feels ill in the first six weeks after the tick bite.
How do I remove a tick?
The best and safest way to remove a tick is with a special tool that hooks underneath its body. ‘Tick removers’ can be bought at any pharmacy; you can then safely remove the tick at home.
There is no need to bring your child to the Children’s Emergency Department to have the tick removed.
Our aim is to provide information that will help you understand your child’s injury and enable the appropriate after-care.
There are lots of useful injury leaflets to download at the Royal Alexandra website
Useful numbers
24hr advice line
NHS 11
Practice Plus (Brighton walk-in Centre)
0333 321 0946
Practice Plus GP
0300 130 3333
7 days a week
8:00 am to 8:00 pm
The information in this leaflet is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner.