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What should I do if I find a tick on my child?
Found a tick on your child? How to pull it out with tweezers, what not to put on it, the 30-day watch for rash or fever, and a full tick check after play.
The short answer
Grab the tick with tweezers as close to the skin as you can and pull it straight out in one steady motion, without twisting. Wash the spot with soap and water or alcohol. Don't use petroleum jelly, nail polish or heat. Call the doctor, who may want the tick saved, and watch for 30 days for a rash (especially a bull's-eye), fever, headache, tiredness or joint aches.
If you find a tick on your child, take it off with fine-tipped tweezers right away. Grab it as close to the skin as you can and pull straight up in one steady motion, without twisting or jerking, then wash the spot. Nemours KidsHealth adds two more steps: call your child's doctor, who may want you to keep the tick in a sealed bag, and watch the bite for 30 days (Tick Bites in Children, accessed November 13, 2026).
Step by step
- Stay calm and get tweezers. Fine-tipped ones work best. A helper can hold a book or a show in front of a wriggly child.
- Grip close to the skin. You want the tick's head and mouthparts, not its swollen body.
- Pull straight out, slowly and steadily. KidsHealth warns against twisting or yanking.
- Clean the bite. Soap and water, or a swab of rubbing alcohol.
- Save the tick if the doctor asks. A sealed container or zip-top bag lets them identify the type.
- Wash your hands.
- Write down the date and where on the body it was. You'll want this if a rash or fever shows up weeks later.
What not to do
KidsHealth says not to cover the tick with petroleum jelly, nail polish or anything else. These don't make it back out, they can make removal harder, and they may cause the tick to burrow deeper and release more saliva, which raises the chance of passing on germs. The same goes for burning it with a match.
If a small piece stays in the skin, don't dig for it. KidsHealth says it will come out on its own. Keep an eye on the spot for redness, swelling, pain or pus.
Why speed matters
Most tick bites cause no illness. Not every tick carries germs, and not every infected tick passes them on. But KidsHealth notes that a tick attached for at least 24 to 36 hours can spread germs that cause infections such as Lyme disease. That's why a daily tick check after outdoor play is worth the two minutes, and why your doctor may offer a preventive antibiotic for some bites.
Deer ticks and dog ticks
The two ticks parents hear about most:
- Deer ticks are about the size of a pinhead and can carry Lyme disease, especially in New England, the Mid-Atlantic and parts of the Midwest.
- Dog ticks are common and can be up to half an inch long. One illness they can carry is Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
KidsHealth says ticks are most active in warm months, especially April through September, but a mild autumn day in the leaves can still bring one home.
Where ticks hide on kids
Hair is the classic spot, but check all of these after hikes, yard play, camping or time in tall grass:
- in and around the ears
- inside the navel
- behind the knees, between the legs and on the thighs
- around the waist
- on the back and the back of the neck
- under the arms
- around the ankles and between the toes
Bath time is a good moment for a full check. Run your fingers through the scalp and look in the creases.
The 30-day watch
KidsHealth advises watching for 30 days after a bite and calling the doctor if your child gets:
- a rash of any kind, especially a red bump ringed by an expanding red rash that looks like a bull's-eye, or red dots on the wrists and ankles
- fever, headache, tiredness, stiff neck or back
- joint swelling or muscle and joint aches
- a bite that looks infected, with warmth, swelling, pain or pus
- weakness or drooping on one side of the face
Also call if you aren't sure how long the tick was attached, or if part of it stayed in the skin. Lyme disease caught early is treated with a short course of antibiotics, and children usually recover fully.
Preventing the next one
- Stay in the middle of trails, away from tall grass and brush.
- Dress kids in light-colored long pants tucked into socks for woods walks, so ticks are easier to see.
- Ask your doctor about an insect repellent suited to your child's age, and follow the label.
- Toss outdoor clothes in a hot dryer for a few minutes.
- Check family dogs too; they can carry ticks indoors.
Helping a nervous child
Some kids panic at the word "bug" on their skin. Name what you're doing in calm, short sentences: "There's a tiny tick. I'm going to pull it off with tweezers. It might pinch for a second." Then give a job: counting to five, or holding the bag.
If a bite leads to a doctor visit or a blood test, a personalized book about brave moments at the doctor can make it feel more familiar. See the hospital book and a story about preparing for a blood test.
Related reading
FAQ
Should I bring the tick to the doctor?
Ask first. Many doctors want it kept in a sealed bag so they can tell what type it was.
Does every tick bite need antibiotics?
No. Doctors don't treat most bites; they decide based on the tick, how long it was attached and where you live.
Can I use a tick-removal tool instead of tweezers?
Yes, if it grips close to the skin and lets you pull straight out without squeezing the body.
