Published on August 06, 2026

What Every Parent Should Know About Tick Bites

Image of a child standing with their arms crossed and a tick on their sleeve, with an adult hand removing the tick.

Tick season is in full swing, and while most tick bites are harmless, some can lead to serious illnesses if they're not recognized and treated early. Whether your child is exploring the backyard, hiking a favorite trail, or spending the day at the ball field, it's important for parents to know how to prevent tick bites, safely remove ticks, and recognize the warning signs of tick-borne diseases. With a few simple precautions and a little awareness, families can enjoy the outdoors with greater confidence all season long.

Remove the tick promptly

If you find a tick attached to your child's skin, removing it promptly and properly can help reduce the risk of disease transmission.

  • Use tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and pull straight out.
  • Clean the area with soap and water afterward.
  • Take a picture of the tick for identification if needed, as certain species (ixodes species) may transmit Lyme disease. The tick itself does not need to be saved for testing.

Watch the bite

After removing the tick, keep an eye on the bite area and monitor your child for any signs of illness over the next several weeks.

  • A small area of redness at the bite site is common.
  • Monitor the site over the next few weeks as symptoms may be present anywhere from 3-30 days after the tick bite.

When to call a doctor

While most tick bites can be safely managed at home, it's important to know when symptoms warrant a call to your child's health care provider.

  • A rash gets larger over several days or a “bullseye” pattern is noted around the tick bite.
  • Fever, headache, fatigue, muscle, or joint pain after a tick bite.
  • The tick was attached for longer than 36 hours, or if the tick is engorged and you are unsure how long it was attached.
  • The bite becomes increasing red, swollen, painful, or begins to drain.

Preventing tick bites

The best way to protect your family from tick-borne illnesses is to prevent tick bites in the first place. Before heading outdoors, apply an EPA-registered insect repellent according to the product directions. When spending time in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas, wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes whenever possible. After coming inside, perform a thorough full-body tick check, paying close attention to the scalp, behind the ears, under the arms, around the waist, behind the knees, and other skin folds where ticks commonly hide. Finding and removing ticks early can significantly reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Brittny Schwab is a nurse practitioner at MyMichigan Family Medicine in Bay City who is welcoming new patients of all ages. To make an appointment, call (989) 671-9153.