How will I know if a tick is on my child?

[mom2binsd]

I have to confess that I don't think I've ever seen a tick.

Through all of Melbel's posts I've learned a lot, but I'm not sure I'd know if one of my children had a tick on them.

Will they be itchy? Sore?

My children are 7 and 10 and go in and out all summer long. I don't check them nor do their grandparents when they babysit them all day long in the summer. Most days they are not in wooded areas, but they are out on the lawn, near trees etc.

We are in Central Il.

[infomama]

I just talked to DH about this yesterday. You have to visually inspect them. I think that's the only way I would I know if they had a tick on them.

[Melaine]

You have to look carefully. Unfortunately, we have them often. I am always worried they will be on our HEADS which I don't think we could find.

[klwa]

Just look the kids over. (They can be anywhere from the head of an eraser sized to end of a pencil sized. A Black spot. If they're head of eraser sized, it's full of blood & looks like it.) If one has bitten, usually the spot WILL itch & most of the time the tick will still be embedded at the time they start to itch.

[Melbel]

We never heard of a tick check before DS's illness, even after he was playing paint ball in the woods. If only we knew then what we know now! We have our yard sprayed for ticks as a first step.

Illinois is an emerging risk state (not as high as the NE, Upper MW or Pacific NW, but a growing number of cases). Generally, the northern part of the state on the Wisconsin border is the highest risk, along with the Illinois Indiana border. Lyme is supposedly very rare in Florida, yet Lyme infested ticks have been found throughout the state, including in my city. The CDC concedes that there are about 10x more actual cases than those reported. Many Lyme experts feel it is exponentially higher. It is harder to get timely diagnosed in the lower risk areas because doctors are not looking for Lyme Disease (which also contributes to underreporting).

Tick checks are still difficult for me. The smallest nymphal ticks can be as small as a poppy seed (or the period at the end of this sentence). Most often, people describe a tick as looking like a scab.

This printable guide is very helpful: http://tbdalliance.org/images/tickbornediseasepreventionguide.pdf

Here is a poster from Massachusetts: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/cdc/lyme/tick-poster-check.pdf

Here are some prevention steps you can take (from a link I posted yesterday):

Reduce Your Chances Of A Tick Bite

Avoid tick-infested areas, such as leaf litter under trees. Avoid brushing against long grasses and brush on edges of paths. Don’t sit on stumps or fallen logs.
Wear light-colored long pants and long sleeves so you can easily see any ticks.
Tuck shirt into pants and tuck pants into socks.
Use DEET on skin and treat clothing with spray containing permethrin.
Do a thorough tick check upon returning inside and for several days following exposure.
Check bedding for several days following exposure for ticks that drop off.
Ticks, especially nymphal ticks, are tiny. Find and remove them before they bite.


What To Do If You Are Bitten

Use fine-point tweezers or a special tick-removing tool. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. If you don’t have tweezers, protect your fingers with a tissue.
Pull the tick straight out with steady, even pressure. Click here (http://www.lymedisease.org/lyme101/prevention/lyme_prevention.html) to view a Tick's Mouth and why it is so important to pull out the tick correctly.
Avoid squeezing the tick, breaking it, or allowing any blood to remain on your skin.
Place the tick in a small plastic bag or vial with blades of grass, leaf, or moist (not wet) piece of tissue.
Label the bag with your name, date, site of bite and how long tick was attached.
Have the tick identified and tested by a lab, health department or veterinarian.
Wash your hands, disinfect the tweezers and bite site.
Educate yourself about tick-borne diseases and consult a doctor to see if treatment is warranted.


Considerations For Prophylactic (Preventive) Treatment

The tick infection rate in the area where you acquired the tick. An area may still labeled as “no risk” despite lack of scientific studies.
The relative risk of transmission, depending on whether the tick was a nymph or adult, duration of attachment and how it was removed.
Whether the tick tested positive for a tick-borne infection.
The Lyme germs may spread widely in the body, including to the brain, within hours/days.
The cost of prophylactic treatment vs. risk of infection.
The risks and benefits of prophylactic treatment vs. risks of infection.


From the Tick Borne Disease Alliance Site: http://tbdalliance.org/get-informed/start-preventing

Follow the BLAST Safety Steps

B athe or shower soon after coming indoors
L ook for ticks and remove with tweezers
A pply repellents for skin and/or clothing
S pray the perimeter of your yard for ticks
T reat your pets

[Melaine]

Thanks for all this info, Melbel. I've definitely been thinking about this more this year since learning more from you. We have so many ticks in our area it is kind of daunting. I can't imagine sending each one we find to be tested....do you have to pay for this? I think the long pants, socks, tucked in etc works really well but it gets so hot here we don't always do that. We have our yard treated for pests but do you get them treated with something different for ticks?

[pastrygirl]

I find ticks daily on my kids, sometimes on me even if I'm just sitting on the driveway! My 6.5yo is very sensitive and can feel them crawling on him, so we usually get them before they dig in. They look like spiders to me. Ones that won't come off if you just brush them.

My boys wear baseball caps outside to help cut down getting ticks on their head. Other than that, I only do full-body checks when they come in. ETA: as opposed to covering all body parts. I've found ticks crawling around in the house, so they catch a ride on clothing.

I've never heard of treating for ticks, but I'll definitely look into it! We are infested here.


__________________
My blog...
http://unshopping.unravelingblog.com/

[sf333]

Thanks for all this info, Melbel. I've definitely been thinking about this more this year since learning more from you. We have so many ticks in our area it is kind of daunting. I can't imagine sending each one we find to be tested....do you have to pay for this? I think the long pants, socks, tucked in etc works really well but it gets so hot here we don't always do that. We have our yard treated for pests but do you get them treated with something different for ticks?

Bolded the part I'm responding to here.

We had to pay $50 to have the tick tested that bit my DS. I think the thing to remember is that by taking all the steps outlined by Melbel, you will - hopefully - avoid getting bitten, therefore you can avoid having to deal with tick testing, worrying about Lyme, etc. If you're vigilant and doing tick checks after being outdoors, you will - again, hopefully - be finding the ticks before they have a chance to bite. This is, of course, more difficult with nymphal deer ticks.

Also, can I just say that I have not stopped itching and feeling things crawling on me since I found that tick on my son a few days ago? :barf:

[MSWR0319]

Also, can I just say that I have not stopped itching and feeling things crawling on me since I found that tick on my son a few days ago? :barf:

Ticks makes me feel likes things are crawling on me just by talking about them. I just hate ticks. We supposedly live in an emerging risk state I believe, yet DH and I have both had Lyme in the last two years. I thought I found a tick on DS the other night and I'm thinking now it was a tiny scab from his eczema. It was so so tiny but I don't think there were legs or anything on it once I got it off. I felt kinda dumb then, but I'd rather it be off him. I really want our yard sprayed, I just don't know if anyone around here sprays for ticks.

[dogmom]

I've become a huge fan of the University of RI Tick Resource center, I find their information the most comprehensive, organized and useful for applying to your family and pets.

http://www.tickencounter.org/

They have a lot of interactive stuff and good pictures. For example:

Tick identification: http://www.tickencounter.org/tick_identification

Tons of information on prevention: http://www.tickencounter.org/prevention
I wound up getting tick repellent clothing for walks in woods, it rocks.

And this tells you everything you wanted to know about actually getting a tick bite:
http://www.tickencounter.org/resources/tick_biteology

It's also where I found out about Tick Tubes and I used them last year, it seemed to help:
http://www.tickencounter.org/prevention/mouse_targeted_devices

[mom2binsd]

Do you feel a tick bite? Will they feel itchy? Bug bites are pretty easy to spot, as both DS and I react to them, will a tick feel the same?

I honestly can't see "checking" my kids over each time they come inside. I don't mean to sound insensitive to the risk, but at their age they come and go outside, we live on a quiet cul de sac and play in the yard, ride their bikes in the circle etc. At their grandparents house where they have about 3/4 acre of lawn space they play in the yard, collect bugs etc. all day as they babysit them while I"m at work in the summer. Their grandparents are pretty good about sunscreen use, and make sure they wash up before meals etc. but I don't see doing a body check each time they come in (they go in and out all day!).

Most summer days it's 85-95 degrees with high humidity so limited clothing is worn.

They shower each day, and swim each morning, and we often go back to the pool late in the afternoon so that's probably a good time to look them over.

[Melbel]

I've become a huge fan of the University of RI Tick Resource center, I find their information the most comprehensive, organized and useful for applying to your family and pets.

http://www.tickencounter.org/

They have a lot of interactive stuff and good pictures. For example:

Tick identification: http://www.tickencounter.org/tick_identification

Tons of information on prevention: http://www.tickencounter.org/prevention
I wound up getting tick repellent clothing for walks in woods, it rocks.

And this tells you everything you wanted to know about actually getting a tick bite:
http://www.tickencounter.org/resources/tick_biteology

It's also where I found out about Tick Tubes and I used them last year, it seemed to help:
http://www.tickencounter.org/prevention/mouse_targeted_devices

Great information. I will be pinning to my Lyme pinterest board.


Do you feel a tick bite? Will they feel itchy? Bug bites are pretty easy to spot, as both DS and I react to them, will a tick feel the same?

I honestly can't see "checking" my kids over each time they come inside. I don't mean to sound insensitive to the risk, but at their age they come and go outside, we live on a quiet cul de sac and play in the yard, ride their bikes in the circle etc. At their grandparents house where they have about 3/4 acre of lawn space they play in the yard, collect bugs etc. all day as they babysit them while I"m at work in the summer. Their grandparents are pretty good about sunscreen use, and make sure they wash up before meals etc. but I don't see doing a body check each time they come in (they go in and out all day!).

Most summer days it's 85-95 degrees with high humidity so limited clothing is worn.

They shower each day, and swim each morning, and we often go back to the pool late in the afternoon so that's probably a good time to look them over.

Most people do not realize they were bitten by a tick. A large percentage of people do not get a rash, bullseye or otherwise (although a bullseye rash is highly indicative of Lyme). Many doctors advise taking a wait and see approach with tick bites, but as mentioned in other posts, by doing so, you will miss the best possible chance to avoid a much more difficult to treat disseminated infection.

While tick checks may not seem practical or "easy", I strongly believe they (along with other tick prevention measures) are necessary. Some people have strong immune systems that can keep a Lyme infection in check, others are not so fortunate. Allergies, other infections (tick born or simply a common cold) and genetic predisposition all play a part. You will not know if you or your child are one of the more vulnerable ones until it is too late.

While Lyme disease is the most common disease that ticks carry, ticks may carry other diseases along with Lyme disease. All tick-borne disorders tend to include flu-like symptoms of fever, malaise, headache, and joint/muscle aches and pain. These are most common tick-borne diseases:

ANAPLASMOSIS - Caused by the the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilium, previously known as human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) and more recently called human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA). Symptons include fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches.

BABESIOSIS - Protozoan infection of red blood cells. Symptoms can be mild to life threatening, with a high fever and fatigue. More severe in people who have had their spleen removed. Strains include:

Babesia-Microti
Babesia-WA1
Babesia divergens
B. bovis
Other species are possible

BARTONELLA HENSELAE - CAT-SCRATCH DISEASE - Bacterial disease starting with a red mark that can become swollen and discolored. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes (especially under ears) with conjunctivitis, heart or spleen problems, bone lesions, hepatitis, eye problems and encephalitis (causing seizures and coma). There is indirect clinical evidence that there are a group of "Bartonella-like organisms" that can co-infect a Lyme patient. Identification of these organisms awaits further scientific study.

COLORADO TICK FEVER - Viral disease characterized by a high fever and sometimes a faint rash. After a 2-3 day remission, symptoms recur, accompanied by a drop in white blood cells. Complications may include encephalitis, heart problems and severe bleeding.

EHRLICHIOSIS - Rickettsial infections (HME and HGE forms) of white blood cells. A rash may occur. Severe illness may have neurologic complications. Delayed treatment can result in death.

LYME (MASTERS') DISEASE - Multisystem bacterial infection that can start with an enlarging rash. Brain, joint, heart, eye, spleen, kidney and other organs can be affected. Lyme disease has been reported worldwide, in every continent except Antarctica. It is well known that migrating birds can distribute ticks long distances, which may be one reason for Lyme's presence all over the globe.

POWASSAN ENCEPHALITIS - Viral brain infection causing seizures, aphasia, muscle weakness, dementia and death.

QUERY (Q) FEVER - Rickettsial infection causing high fever, pneumonia and damage to the liver, heart, or brain. Potential bioterrorism agent because it can become airborne.

RELAPSING FEVER - Multisystem bacterial infection with symptoms similar to Lyme Disease. Characterized by repeating bouts of fever lasting 2-9 days, alternating with periods of no fever. Potential bioterrorism agent.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER - Rickettsial infection causing a reddish-to-black rash resembling measles. Diagnosis and treatment must be made immediately or death can occur.

TICK PARALYSIS - Loss of motor function and increasing paralysis caused by a reaction to a female tick's neurotoxins.

TULAREMIA - Bacterial infection causing repeated fever spikes. Swollen lymph nodes develop into skin ulcers, conjunctivitis, and pneumonia. Potential bioterrorism agent.

[sf333]

I've become a huge fan of the University of RI Tick Resource center, I find their information the most comprehensive, organized and useful for applying to your family and pets.

http://www.tickencounter.org/

They have a lot of interactive stuff and good pictures. For example:

Tick identification: http://www.tickencounter.org/tick_identification

Tons of information on prevention: http://www.tickencounter.org/prevention
I wound up getting tick repellent clothing for walks in woods, it rocks.

And this tells you everything you wanted to know about actually getting a tick bite:
http://www.tickencounter.org/resources/tick_biteology

It's also where I found out about Tick Tubes and I used them last year, it seemed to help:
http://www.tickencounter.org/prevention/mouse_targeted_devices

Thanks for posting this. I've been on the site for a while and there is some great info there.

[mom2binsd]

Thank you for all the info.

That tickencounter.org site is very visual and helpful, I am going to download the app.

Is it helpful to get one of those tick remover devices that someone linked to to keep in our first aid kit or just get a pair of super pointy tweezers?

[pastrygirl]

I've only ever felt the tickle of something on me, then a few minutes later, I felt it (latched on) when I was rubbing my skin. I had asked my husband to check when I felt the tickle on my neck but he didn't see anything, then it latched on under my arm. I touch my skin a lot, as do my kids, so that's how we tend to find them. I'm always smoothing over my neck and arms, scratching off rough skin, flakes, etc. my kids do it a lot, too, but they also pull up their shirts to smooth over their torso, like when watching TV.

Believe me, once you find a tick on your kid, you'll start checking them regularly. If they are in and out all day, I usually wait until they're in for good.


__________________
My blog...
http://unshopping.unravelingblog.com/

[ShanaMama]

Bolded the part I'm responding to here.

We had to pay $50 to have the tick tested that bit my DS. I think the thing to remember is that by taking all the steps outlined by Melbel, you will - hopefully - avoid getting bitten, therefore you can avoid having to deal with tick testing, worrying about Lyme, etc. If you're vigilant and doing tick checks after being outdoors, you will - again, hopefully - be finding the ticks before they have a chance to bite. This is, of course, more difficult with nymphal deer ticks.

Also, can I just say that I have not stopped itching and feeling things crawling on me since I found that tick on my son a few days ago? :barf:

I'm late to this thread but wanted to add my .02. Growing up in NYC tick checks were the farthest thing from my mind. Now it's just another part of our summer routine. Just as I am not perfect about aplying sunscreen I am not perfect about checking for ticks, but I hope that between my checking & my kids', we find them all. We dot live in a very wooded area but there are ticks everywhere here. My kids & te neighbors have all gotten them just from playing in the backyards.
Our county offers free tick checking. You need to keep it alive & deliver it to their site which is about 20 mins from my house. I've brought them a few but not every one we've found.
To a pp, the hair is absolutely the hardest place to find them. Now that DD1 pretty much showers herself & brushes her own hair I need to remind her about checking. My kids check themselves when they use the bathroom & I eyeball them at bedtime or shower time. Don't forget that the ticks like warm areas, so check the groin, I've found in & behind ears, etc.

[pastrygirl]

I'm adding to this thread because my son's last two ticks have caused him pain. They were probably on for more than 24 hours and he felt sore, like he had a bruise right at the tick site. Last time, it was just below his shoulder blade. Today it was on the nape of his neck and he said it hurt to turn or bow his head. He's had many ticks over the years, but this is the first time they've caused pain. It's also the first time they've been on for so long. I KNOW I need to check daily but it still hasn't sunk in, so instead I get to panic for a few weeks. Ugh. I'm ordering four bottles of permethrin right now, because they get ticks riding their bikes on the driveway, and I've gotten one just sitting on a chair on the driveway. I don't go on the grass or into the woods (I'm a city girl through and through... I don't like having all these woods around).

[123LuckyMom]

Most tic bites don't itch or hurt. You know you've been bitten when you find one attached and engorged. It looks at that point like a skin tag. If you do daily tic checks, you can find them when they're tiny and haven't started feeding much yet. Look for a brown or black dot on the skin (like a scab or poppy seed.) make sure to look at moist, hidden places-- ears, genitals, behind knees and elbows, in between toes. I just found one the other day on DD's head under her hair!

You want a bluntish tweezers to pull them out, not super sharp. It's the grip that's important, because you don't want to squeeze the yuck back into the person or chop off the head and leave it in! Get a firm grip, and PULL firmly but gently so it doesn't tear or separate. I find the tic spoon looking extractors not to work nearly as well as regular tweezers.

Our ped will not test tics. It's really frustrating! I haven't found a way to get them tested on my own. I try to keep an eye on the area of the bite, but I really don't know how I would know if my poor children got Lyme unless they started to have major symptoms.

[queenmama]

I really don't know how I would know if my poor children got Lyme unless they started to have major symptoms.

This goes for us as well. We do tick checks and DH and DS are frequently covered in them (I don't go out to the IL's where they are literally unavoidable during the summer, whether in the yard or around the pool or in the woods). They always pick off all of the ticks, and there have been times the ticks had bitten. We don't save them or have them tested. DH has dealt with this his whole life, and he would scoff at the idea of paying for testing every tick.

I'm from California and had zero experience with this before moving here. The idea of disease-ridden bugs crawling on my children makes me queasy, and I actually cried the first time I found one on DS when DH wasn't here to deal with it. I sheltered DS as long as possible and now it's DD's turn. Ugh.

Lara

[Kymberley]

I haven't checked any links, but I want to send out a warning about seed ticks. Not sure if that's what they are actually called, but you can google images of them and see how ridiculously tiny they are. We check ourselves all of the time, and throughly. Well, I miss one on me. By the time I found it, it was latched on. Tiny little thing. I actually though it was a small scab, like a pin prick size wound. But it was itchy. So I scratched it, and the body lifted up. I nearly passed out. I HATE ticks. And they are so rampant around our area this year.

[abh5e8]

for those with bigger yards or more generous zoning/HOA regulations, this might be just the ticket!

http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/1-1/jeannette_ferguson/

[queenmama]

for those with bigger yards or more generous zoning/HOA regulations, this might be just the ticket!

http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/1-1/jeannette_ferguson/

Ha! I knew before clicking what it was going to be! ;)

The ILs had a flock of guineas for years. They just couldn't keep the ticks at bay. Maybe not enough birds to do the job? We're talking 40 acres. Yuck. I avoid from about April-October. Lol

Lara