Tick Bites in Children: Prevention, Removal, and What to Watch For

Tick bites in children are a common concern for families in Boulder County and throughout Colorado during warmer months. Lauren Brave, MD, a board-certified pediatrician, explains how to prevent tick bites, properly remove a tick, and recognize symptoms that may require medical attention.

With our recent warm weather in Colorado, tick season has arrived a little earlier than usual. For families in Boulder County and surrounding areas, finding a tick on your child can feel alarming, but the good news is that tick-borne illnesses are relatively uncommon in our region.

Health data from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment shows that tick-borne illnesses are rare in our state and tend to be limited to specific regions.

Knowing how to prevent tick bites, how to remove a tick properly, and what to watch for afterward will allow you to handle the situation calmly and confidently.

Tick Prevention for Kids

A few simple steps can make a big difference:

• Clothing matters: When possible, have your child wear long sleeves and long pants in higher-risk areas. Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot.
• Use insect repellent: Products containing DEET are safe and effective when used as directed. Apply to skin only. A concentration of 10 to 20 percent DEET is sufficient for most situations.
• Post-outdoor checks: Do a quick full-body check after your child has been outside, especially around the scalp, behind the ears, under the arms, around the waist, in the groin, and behind the knees.
• Showering: A bath or shower after outdoor play can help wash off ticks that have not yet attached.

Ticks often need several hours to attach firmly, so early detection is very helpful.

How to Safely Remove a Tick from Your Child

If you find a tick on your child, don’t worry. Removing it properly is straightforward.

Here is what to do:

1. Use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers.
2. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
3. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk.

Once removed, clean the area with soap and water.

A few important things to avoid:

• Do not use heat, nail polish, petroleum jelly, or other home remedies to “make the tick back out.”
• Do not squeeze the body of the tick.
• If a small piece of the tick remains in the skin, it is usually not a problem and will work its way out like a splinter.

After removal, you can dispose of the tick by placing it in a sealed bag or flushing it.

What to Watch for After a Tick Bite

In most cases, nothing further will happen after a tick bite. It is also helpful to know that ticks generally need to be attached for more than 24 hours to transmit disease, so prompt removal is very effective at reducing risk.

However, it is reasonable to monitor your child over the next couple of weeks for the following:

• Fever
• Unusual fatigue
• Rash, particularly one that is expanding or spreading
• Headache or body aches

You should contact your medical provider if you have concerns about any of the mentioned symptoms or if there is redness or pain at the site of the bite. There is generally no need for routine antibiotics after a tick bite in our region.

A Reassuring Reminder

Tick bites are understandably concerning for parents, but in Colorado, they are far more likely to be a nuisance than a serious health risk. Focus on prevention when you can, remove ticks promptly when you find them, and keep an eye on your child afterward.
As always, if something does not seem right, trust your instincts and reach out to your pediatrician.

Let’s Talk

If something doesn’t seem right after a tick bite, or you have questions, our Pediatrics team is here to help. Schedule an appointment with Boulder Medical Center Pediatrics in Boulder, Longmont, or Louisville.