Tick Removal Aftercare: Preventing Infections and Complications

If you or your child has been bitten by a tick, it’s important to take quick action to protect your health. The team at Pedi Center Urgent Care recommends the following steps:

• Wash Up: Immediately wash your hands and the bite area thoroughly with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use rubbing alcohol or an iodine scrub to clean the skin.

• Dispose of the Tick Safely: Place the tick in a sealed plastic bag or small container. Save the tick in case your healthcare provider needs to identify it later. Do not crush the tick with your fingers.

• Monitor for Symptoms: Over the next few weeks, watch the bite site for signs of infection—such as redness, swelling, or a rash (especially a circular “bull’s-eye” rash). Also, be alert for other symptoms like fever, fatigue, headache, or muscle aches.

• Contact Pedi Center Urgent Care: If you notice any of these symptoms, if the tick was attached for more than 24 hours, or if you have any concerns, reach out to our Urgent Care right away. Bring the tick with you if possible, as it can help our providers determine the best course of care.

Prompt evaluation can help prevent complications from tick-borne illnesses, especially in children. Our team is here to answer your questions and provide expert care for your family.

If your child has had a tick removed, it’s important to take the right steps to prevent infection and ensure a healthy recovery. At Pedi Center Urgent Care, we recommend the following:

• Clean the Area: Gently wash your hands and your child’s hands with soap and water. Clean the bite site with soap and water, or use an antiseptic solution like rubbing alcohol or iodine.

• Apply Antibiotic Ointment: Place a thin layer of antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin) on the bite. This helps lower the risk of bacterial infection.

• Cover if Needed: If the bite is in an area that might get dirty or irritated, cover it with a clean bandage.

• Monitor for Symptoms: Over the next few weeks, keep an eye on the bite. Watch for redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or pain. Also, be alert for symptoms like rash, fever, or flu-like feelings in your child.

• Avoid Scratching: Encourage your child not to scratch or pick at the bite, as this can lead to infection.

• Record the Details: Note the date of the bite and its location on your child’s body. This information can help our healthcare team if you need to visit us.

Our pediatric specialists are here to provide expert care and answer your questions about tick bites and other childhood concerns.

At Pedi Center Urgent Care, your child’s health and safety are our top priorities. If your child has been bitten by a tick, it’s important to monitor the bite site for at least 30 days for any signs of infection or complications. In the first few days after a tick bite, mild redness and irritation are common and typically resolve within a week.

However, you should keep a close eye on your child for any changes around the bite area, such as:

• Expanding redness

• Warmth or swelling

• Increasing pain

• Development of pus

These can be signs of infection and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. In addition, be alert for symptoms that may indicate a tick-borne illness, including:

• Fever

• Headache

• Muscle aches

• A rash (especially a bull’s-eye pattern, which can be a sign of Lyme disease)

If your child develops any of these symptoms, or if the redness around the bite continues to spread, contact our Urgent Care right away. Some tick-borne illnesses may not show symptoms until days or even weeks after the bite—so continued monitoring is essential.

After a tick bite, it’s common for children to have mild redness, swelling, or itching at the bite site. This irritation is usually a normal reaction and often goes away within a few days. However, it’s important for parents to know how to tell the difference between a simple, irritated bite and one that might be infected.

A typical, non-infected tick bite on your child will look like a small red bump, possibly with a little swelling or mild discomfort. The redness should stay close to the bite area and shouldn’t spread. There should be no significant pain, warmth, or discharge. Most importantly, the irritation should get better—not worse—over time.

Watch for warning signs of infection:

• Redness that spreads outward from the bite

• Increasing swelling or pain

• Skin that feels warm to the touch

• Pus or yellowish discharge from the bite site

• Red streaks extending from the bite

• Fever or chills

If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, or if the area doesn’t start to improve within a few days, it’s important to seek medical attention. Our experienced team can evaluate your child’s bite, provide treatment if needed, and help prevent complications.

If your child has been bitten by a tick, it is important to clean the area thoroughly after removal. At Pedi Center Urgent Care, we recommend that after you safely remove the tick with fine-tipped tweezers, you wash the bite site and your hands with soap and water. You may also use rubbing alcohol or an iodine scrub to further disinfect the area.

Proper cleaning helps reduce the risk of infection and prevents skin irritation or secondary infection for your child. After cleaning, keep an eye on the bite site for several weeks. If you notice any redness, swelling, rash, or other signs of infection, please bring your child to Pedi Center Urgent Care for evaluation.

Our pediatric specialists are here to help with any concerns related to tick bites and to provide prompt treatment if needed. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at Niles Street, Bakersfield, CA, and Wible Road, Bakersfield, CA. We serve patients from Bakersfield CA, Maltha CA, Kayandee CA, Burness CA, Clovis CA, Panama CA, Alameda CA, and surrounding areas.