Tick in DD's ear!

[flashy09]

My 19 month old has a tick in her ear and I have no idea how to remove it. She won't let me try anymore and I am not quite sure how to do it right anyway. Should I take her to the pediatrician to do it?

[MamaMolly]

I would.

[shawnandangel]

Try soaking a cotton ball in alcohol and place it over the tick. Wait and see if it backs out. I've seen this work a few times. Have tweezers on hand once it backs out. Personally I'd do this before I went to the ped.

How were you trying to take it out before? There is info on the CDC web page about proper tick removal using tweezers.

[lil_acorn]

Try soaking a cotton ball in alcohol and place it over the tick. Wait and see if it backs out. I've seen this work a few times. Have tweezers on hand once it backs out. Personally I'd do this before I went to the ped.

How were you trying to take it out before? There is info on the CDC web page about proper tick removal using tweezers.

Don't do this. I remember one of melbel's posts saying this causes teh tick to regurgitate and spill its toxic stuff back into the skin.

If it's in the ear, that sounds tricky to remove, and I'd agree with PP to go to the pediatrician.

[dylansnan]

I could be incorrect but I thought I read (on here, from Melbel?) to not put anything on a tick ie. alcohol, soap... To get it to back out. That It causes the tick to regurgitate it's stomach contents into who it's biting, and the stomach is where the bacteria/ viruses live...

Just thought I'd put that out there.

Eta- cross posted with lil acorn

[Momit]

Yes, I would go to the ped to have it removed. You want it gone ASAP to minimize the chance of disease transmission.

[shawnandangel]

Ack! I didn't know it causes regurgitation! So glad someone posted!

[ChristinaLucia]

I hate ticks. I would be torn between rushing to the ER and trying to get it out as fast as possible. I might offer a food or $20 bribe to gain child compliance!

[ett]

I would definitely go to the ped or the ER if you can't get seen soon at the ped.

[TwoBees]

I'd go have it medically removed, either at the Ped's office or the ER, ASAP.

[squimp]

The best way to remove ticks is with tweezers. IME, it works best if you do it quickly, sort of the element of surprise. At this point, since you have been trying unsucessfully for a while, I would take her to the ped or urgent care. The longer the tick is on her, the more likely it is that something will be transmitted so I would go in as soon as you can.

[flashy09]

So I took her in to Peds office and it was a dried blood scab. I swear it had "legs" and everyone there thought it was a tick until actual removal time, but I still feel rather foolish. Thank you for all the great advice and sorry for crying wolf! :oops:

[maestramommy]

LOL! No worries. If it had been a real tick, you could be feeling really stressed right now.

[dylansnan]

Glad it was a false alarm. Better safe than sorry :)

[daisymommy]

LOL! Something you'll look back on and laugh about one day!


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[Ceepa]

Be glad it wasn't a tick. This board has me totally neurotic about them. LOL!!

[citymama]

Thank goodness it wasn't a tick! Whew!

[MamaMolly]

Honestly I think this is a GREAT update! :) Yay for no tick!!! :applause:

[barkley1]

Honestly I think this is a GREAT update! :) Yay for no tick!!! :applause:

:yeahthat: whew!