In the previous post we looked at bug bite prevention. However, sometimes your baby might get bit, no matter what you do. Here are some helpful tips.
Don’t worry so much about Lyme Disease. Research shows that Lyme disease caused by tick bites, while dangerous, is not very common. Fewer than 2% of tick bites actually result in Lyme disease. It’s still smart to know the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease, just know that endless worrying is not necessary.Â
Know your bites - a bee sting looks red and swelled, a mosquito bite is bumpy and itchy, rashes that are set around a tiny prick or in a bull’s-eye pattern may indicate another bug like a spider or tick. Learn more about how bites look.
To learn total first aid for all kinds of bug bites on kids visit the Nemours Foundation.
NEVER EVER try to burn a tick off. You may have heard that you should, but this is an old wives tale. The only thing that will happen if you try this, is you’ll have a bit and now burned baby. This is what you should do with tick bites.
When to call 911:
If your baby or toddler (or anyone really) has been bitten by a bug of any kind and has any of the following symptoms call 911 right away.
- shortness of breath
- wheezing
- redness or hives over most of the body
- swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- feeling like the throat is closing up
- nausea
- vomiting
- chills
- muscle aches or cramps
- weakness
- fever
Another time to call 911 or your baby’s doctor, is if you’re not sure what to do with a bug bite. If you don’t know how to treat, always call first so you don’t make it worse.
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If you live in the North East, take every tick bite seriously. Lyme Disease is extremely prevalent, no matter what this article may say. I only know several people in Dutchess County who DON”T have it.
Comment by Anonymous — September 18, 2008 #
@Anonymous I’ve heard that - about the North East before. When I lived in Northern California, I knew someone from that area who said ticks were more common there. But, overall, over all of the U.S., Lyme Disease is not that prevalent, according to published reports, or very few people are reporting tick complications, which seems doubtful. Some areas have bad tick issues, but not a high percentage in the grand scheme of things.
Comment by Jennifer — September 19, 2008 #