How To Remove A Tick And Symptoms To Watch For After A Bite

Nothing pains me more than having to declare “it’s tick season” – but here we are, nonetheless.

Tick season usually runs from March to October, with a peak during the warmer, humid months from April to July.

For those who haven’t come across the biting bugs before, they are small spider-like creatures with oval-shaped bodies. They’re roughly the size of a sesame seed and can have six or eight legs (depending on whether they’re fully grown or not).

Unfortunately, ticks can spread Lyme disease, a bacterial infection which, if not caught early, can lead to serious health issues over time including joint pain, nerve damage, and memory problems.

Lyme disease cases in England and Wales have risen steadily since reporting began in 1986. In 2021, there were 1,156 lab-confirmed cases reported, however the UK government estimates there are probably 1,000-2,000 additional cases each year.

Ticks are typically found in grassy areas like gardens, parks, fields and woodland. They climb onto animals or humans as you brush past them.

So, whether you’re hiking, walking the dog, or spending time in your back yard, it’s important to be aware of them and how to get rid of them, especially if they attach themselves to you or your child.

If you notice a tick on your child’s body, NHS Inform suggests you should remove them with a tick removal device or fine-toothed tweezers.

There is a technique to follow, however, to ensure the whole tick is removed.

The NHS advises to “gently grip the tick as close to the skin as possible” and to “pull steadily away from the skin without crushing the tick”. The bit about not squishing them is important, as if you do, it can release pathogens into the body.

Howard Carter, Bite prevention expert and CEO of incognito insect repellent, says special tick remover tools are your best bet. “Tweezers don’t work as well – you have to be careful taking a tick out as they can break, leaving parts still inside the body,” he explained.

“Remove gently and hold it so that it is vertically above your skin. The chance of contracting Lyme Disease is far less if you successfully remove the tick without squashing its innards into your body.”

Once the tick is removed, clean the area with soap and water, and then apply an antiseptic cream to the skin around the bite.

Parents are advised not to use alcohol or petroleum jelly on a tick.

NHS Inform says if the tick’s mouthparts break off in the skin and can’t be removed, “this may cause irritation but they should fall out naturally in time”.

In an Instagram post, Dr Rachael Barr, known on social media as The Kids Doctor, said: “Getting a tick bite doesn’t mean you will definitely get an infection – the majority of UK ticks do not carry infection.

“So, in the UK we don’t generally recommend antibiotics straight after a tick bite, but you do need to be on the look out for symptoms.”

Regardless of whether the tick’s been removed successfully or not, parents are advised to monitor for symptoms over the next few weeks.

“Contact your GP if you feel unwell or notice a rash. Watch out for a bulls eye-shaped rash (but note, not everyone gets this) and flu-like symptoms – such as fatigue, fever and muscle aches,” says Carter.

Other notable symptoms include headache, joint pain or swollen lymph nodes.

Carter adds that if a rash appears, take a photo of it so you can show it to your GP.

If left untreated, Dr Barr noted symptoms can develop into: facial palsy (one side of the face not moving properly), heart rhythm problems; neck pain and/or stiffness; and pain, weakness or numbness in the hands or feet.

If you spot any of the above symptoms after a tick bite, book in to see your GP. If they suspect you or your child might have Lyme disease, they’ll prescribe a course of antibiotics – the sooner treatment begins, the more effective it is.

• Cover arms and legs when in grassy or wooded areas.
• Stick to paths and don’t brush against foliage. If you need to go in grassy areas, tuck trousers into socks.
• Wear light-coloured clothing so ticks are easier to see and brush off.
• Apply insect repellent.
• Check children and pets after they’ve been out in grassy/wooded areas.