Full Tick Removal Doesn’t End Once The Tick is Gone! Here are The Next Steps to Stopping an Infection
Your kids have been playing in the yard all afternoon; it’s the perfect time of year for it, with the temperatures warming up a bit. At bath time you notice a tiny little intruder on your daughter’s back, a tick. Spring doesn’t only mean your kids will be more active, but that ticks will also be more active in your yard.
After safe tick removal, you’ll need a plan of action to make sure that tick bite doesn’t turn into something a lot worse. Ticks carry a number of diseases, here are the most common:
- Lyme disease
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Tularemia
- Ehrlichiosis
- Relapsing fever
- Colorado tick fever
- Babesiosis
The Bite
Don’t panic, after tick removal, it’s common for the bite to become red and irritated. That doesn’t necessarily mean there is an infection. It usually takes more than 24 hours – and can take up to 72 hours – for the bacteria from any infected tick to be transferred to the body. The sooner you remove the tick the better. This time of year, it’s a good idea to do daily tick checks at bath time.
Here are 4 steps to follow after tick removal:
#1. Save The Tick. Your doctor may need the tick to determine what kind of diseases it could be carrying. After tick removal, store it in a sealed Ziploc bag or plastic container. You may want to bring it to a local testing center. Here is a link to some in and near Massachusetts. The tests are still hit or miss on the tick itself, but it’s a good first step to making a diagnosis.
#2. Record Information. Where the bite occurred, both location on the body and geographical location. When did the bite occur? How long was the tick attached? Have any symptoms been experienced, such as a fever or rash? Any information will help.
#3. Talk to Your Doctor. Your doctor will advise you about the best next steps from a medical and infection perspective. They will also tell you whether or not the tick should be tested. Infection rates are low, but if you have any signs of infection, early treatment is best. The treatment could be as simple as a round of antibiotics. Your doctor may actually suggest antibiotics regardless of whether or not symptoms have presented.
#4. Watch and Wait. Even if the doctor gives you or your child the “OK” after tick removal, you’ll still need to watch for potential symptoms. Some side-effects could take a month or more to appear.
Prevention
Discovering a tick is stressful, the key to avoiding that situation is prevention. Consider these prevention options as ticks become more active this season:
- Tick Treatment Program: These treatments use synthetic or organic compounds to eliminate and prevent the ticks in the area around your house, and are safe for people and pets.
- Mow Lawn and Trim Bushes: Fleas and ticks love to sit in long blades of grass and overgrown bushes. Keep your yard maintained to minimize the chances of infestation.
These prevention tactics, combined with daily tick checks, should keep your family safe this spring. Continue to be on the lookout and follow the steps outlined above if you do find a tick on a family member.
Protect Your Family and Pets from Ticks
The best form of tick bite prevention is to take advantage of a professional tick treatment program. To get started, contact Backyard Defenders for a FREE quote!