Tick Bites
It was the Saturday after nature camp. Landon and I had spent the week walking trails, identifying birds, scouting bugs and making crafts. There had been a few warnings issued about the possibility of ticks, and each time, I looked him over from head to toe. He was fine on Friday morning, the last day at camp. He was fine at home later that evening.
Saturday morning rolled around however, and suddenly, Landon wasn’t fine. He developed a very high fever and became lethargic. He wanted nothing more than to lie around and occasionally sip some milk. Since he wasn’t feeling well, we skipped his bath that evening. The next day, he still wasn’t any better. We decided to give him a cold bath to help with the fever, and that’s when we noticed a tick in the fleshy pad of his groin area.
After ascertaining that it was, in fact a tick, we laid him down and got to work. According to www.KidsHealth.org, if the tick is still firmly attached, you must remove it carefully with tweezers. Tonganoxie mom Patricia Duvall says, “We just pull them out at an upward angle to remove the head and then apply rubbing alcohol to the site.” According to the article, that is the perfect way to handle it. It also says that once the tick is loose, you should place it into a Ziploc bag in case it needs to be evaluated later on. This part seems to be a difference of opinion however, because my sons’ pediatrician says that they recommend simply burning the tick with a lighter or match, rather than bringing it in.
We removed the tick per instruction and decided to dispose of it. We checked him over again and didn’t see any other ticks, so we put him to bed. The flu-like symptoms were still a concern, so I decided to bring him into the pediatrician’s office. He was checked out and presumed to be in good health. I was told to watch for changes for the next several weeks, just in case.
Carlos Morales, ARNP, says, “Signs of a potential tick-borne illness would be flu-like symptoms, swelling, rash or a bull’s eye target surrounding the bite area. These can present even weeks after the initial bite, so any changes need to be noted and assessed.”
Today, Landon’s doing just fine. As for the mystery of the high fever and lethargy timed with the tick bite, it turned out to be a coincidence. Later the next day, his little brother picked up the same high fever and, eventually, even I got it. Still, it was better to be safe than sorry.
Ticks are especially prevalent in the fall season and can be found in wooded areas, tall grass and even your lawn. They can be carried on animals, including dogs or even cats, that are allowed outside. Though most tick bites are harmless and pose no risk of disease, www.CDC.gov offers precautions you can take to prevent possible exposure:
- Avoid wooded and bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
- Walk in the center of the trail.
- Use repellants that contain 20 to 30 percent DEET on exposed skin and clothing.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
- Wear light colored clothing to make ticks more visible.
- Inspect children from head to toe after outdoor fun. Focus on areas such as the backs of knees, armpits, belly button, between the legs, groin area, around the waist and in the hair.
- Examine pets when they come indoors.
Keep in mind that there are few tick bites that result in serious complications or illness. Kansas is actually very low in reported incidents. Taking proper precautions will ensure that you’re prepared without giving up all the fun. Don’t be afraid to get out and explore nature!
Jennifer Bosse lives in Kansas City with her husband and two boys. They love to explore nature.
As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.