October 14, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
Outdoor play is a summer and fall staple for children, but it can come with the threat of tick-borne illnesses.
Jamie Kondis, MD, a WashU Medicine pediatrician at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, talks about four tick prevention and removal tips to keep children safe while they enjoy nature.
- When camping or hiking, wear clothes that cover the body. This includes wearing long sleeves, long pants, tall socks, hats and light-colored clothing so you can easily see ticks.
- Be sure to check children for ticks when you arrive home. Ticks are tiny, but usually you can see them if you look closely. Remember, ticks can attach to pets too.
- Use tweezers to carefully remove the whole tick, including its head.There’s a lot of misinformation when it comes to tick removal. Don’t try to scrape them off or use a match to burn them off. You want to get the whole tick out because if the head of the tick stays in, it can still transmit certain diseases.
- Using insect sprays is a great way to help prevent tick bites. Using a spray that contains no more than 1-20% of DEET is recommended.
If your child has a rash or any other symptoms that you think could be tick-related, reach out to your pediatrician. Need help finding a pediatrician? We’re here to assist. Learn more about what factors to consider when choosing a provider.
