Most tick bites do not cause serious illness. If you find one attached, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it close to the skin, then pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist, jerk, burn it, or cover it with petroleum jelly. Wash the area and your hands with soap and water. Photograph the tick, record when and where exposure occurred, and estimate how long it was attached.
Over the following weeks, watch for an expanding rash, fever, headache, unusual fatigue, or other new symptoms. An immediate small bump may be irritation; Lyme disease does not always cause a bull’s-eye rash. Contact your child’s clinician promptly for symptoms or a potentially high-risk bite. Preventive antibiotics may be appropriate in selected cases and should be assessed within 72 hours of removal. Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty or new weakness. Calm removal and informed follow-up are your best next steps.
