What should be done if a borreliosis-carrying tick bites a child?

What should be done if a borreliosis-carrying tick bites a child? - briefly

Remove the tick promptly with fine‑point tweezers, disinfect the bite area, and consult a healthcare professional for assessment and possible antibiotic prophylaxis. Monitor the child for fever, rash, or joint discomfort and report any symptoms without delay.

What should be done if a borreliosis-carrying tick bites a child? - in detail

When a tick that may transmit Borrelia burgdorferi attaches to a minor, act without delay.

1. Tick removal

   • Use fine‑point tweezers or a tick‑removal tool.
   • Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, avoiding crushing the body.
   • Pull upward with steady, even pressure; do not twist or jerk.
   • After extraction, place the tick in a sealed container for identification if needed.

2. Site care

   • Clean the bite area with soap and water, then apply an antiseptic such as povidone‑iodine.
   • Do not apply folk remedies, heat, or chemicals to the wound.

3. Medical assessment

   • Contact a pediatrician or emergency department within a few hours.
   • Provide details: estimated attachment time, geographic location, and tick appearance.
   • The clinician may prescribe a single dose of doxycycline (or amoxicillin for children under eight) as prophylaxis, provided the tick was attached ≥ 36 hours and the local infection risk exceeds 20 %.

4. Observation period

   • Monitor the bite site daily for erythema migrans (expanding red ring) or other skin changes.
   • Record any fever, headache, fatigue, joint pain, or neurological symptoms.
   • If any of these develop within 30 days, seek immediate medical care for diagnostic testing and treatment.

5. Follow‑up

   • Schedule a review appointment 2–4 weeks after the bite, even if prophylaxis was given, to reassess for delayed manifestations.
   • Ensure the child completes the full antibiotic course if treatment is initiated.

6. Prevention for future exposures

   • Dress children in long sleeves and trousers when in wooded or grassy areas.
   • Apply EPA‑registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 to skin and clothing.
   • Perform thorough body checks after outdoor activities; remove any attached ticks promptly.

Prompt removal, proper wound care, and professional medical evaluation together minimize the risk of Lyme disease and related complications in children.