Because ticks can be more prevalent in late spring and summer, here’s what to do if you get a tick bite, according to Katie Jackson, M.D., pediatrician with Utica Park Clinic Claremore:
1. Inspect skin thoroughly on a regular basis.
2. If you find a tick, find a pair of tweezers or forceps.
3. Brace the skin with the alternate hand to provide counter-traction.
4. Gently pull the tick in a perpendicular motion to the skin.
5. Gasoline, fingernail polish, lighted matches or similar substances should not be used to remove a tick.
6. If a tick is on a child, explain what you are doing in age-appropriate language. Explain it won’t hurt, but they may feel a bit of a pull on the skin.
7. If a tick is embedded in a sensitive area or an area that is hard to visualize, or if you have a fighter, enlist some help to gently but firmly keep your child from wiggling the area where the tick needs to be removed.
Tip: Avoid high grass and wear long sleeves, pants and closed-toe shoes to prevent ticks from reaching your skin.
If you have additional questions or concerns about a suspected bite or skin irritation, please contact your primary care provider or call 918-579-DOCS (3627).