Managing a Tick Bite – shared by Dr. Jenn at Village Pediatrics
At Village Pediatrics, we know spring is here when the calls about tick bites start! Click here for a great article on our website that covers how to treat a tick bite and monitor your child for the symptoms of lyme disease. In accordance with advice from the Pediatric Infectious Disease specialists we DO NOT treat tick bites with antibiotics unless your child has either a classic bulls-eye rash, or positive blood test. Blood testing is not necessary unless your child has symptoms of lyme disease (see article).
- This is what a DEER TICK looks like
- This is what a BULLS-EYE RASH looks like
The best way to avoid lyme disease is to do a daily tick check on your child. If you find a tick, visit our site for instructions on removal and evaluation. If after reading the article you still have questions, reach out to your pediatrician for further information on how best to handle as each individual situation is different.
We do not recommend routine testing of ticks for disease, but if you would like a tick to be identified (dog vs. deer), you can do so at the Department of Health.