Boy, your child's freckles really stand out in the sun - but
wait, that one looks like it's moving! It isn't a freckle
at all. It's a tick. What should you do?
First, don't panic. It's true that
Lyme disease
is the most common tick-borne disease in the United States, but
your child's risk of developing Lyme disease after being bitten
by a tick is very low.
To be safe, though, you'll want to remove the tick as soon
as possible because risk of infection increases between 24 to 72
hours after the tick attaches to the skin.
One note of caution: don't use petroleum jelly or a hot
match to kill and remove a tick.
Reviewed by:
Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: September 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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