Ticks and Lyme Disease
Protect. Check. Remove.
Ticks are more than just pests. They can carry diseases that affect both humans and animals. Understanding ticks is crucial for staying safe and healthy.
Ticks are small arthropods, similar to spiders, and are often found in wooded and brushy areas, areas with tall grass and leaf litter, yards and parks. They don't jump or fly, but rather crawl onto people and pets. They are part of the mite subclass, with eight legs and a flat, oval-shaped body. They feed on blood by attaching themselves to the skin of their host with specialized mouthparts.
Because some ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, it is crucial to prevent tick bites and remove ticks quickly. The most important preventative step you can take is to conduct a full-body check of your children every time they come indoors after spending time outside. Prompt removal of an attached tick significantly reduces the risk of disease transmission. Not all ticks can make you sick. Ticks must be attached for at least 24 hours to give you Lyme disease.
How to Remove a Tick
- Grasp tick close to the skin with tweezers.
- Pull the tick straight up.
- Contain tick by placing it in a plastic bag or tape.
- Wash bite area well with soap and water.
Do not cover the tick with petroleum jelly, use a match or fire to remove or wait for the tick to fall off.
Where to Check Yourself for Ticks
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In and around the ears
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In and around the hair
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Under the arms
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Inside the belly button
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Around the waist
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Between the legs
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Back of the knees
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Around the ankles
Ticks are active in every season. Year-round prevention is the best defense against tickborne diseases.
Check for Ticks Daily
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Check for ticks all over your body
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Help young children with tick checks
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Look closely; ticks can be very small
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If you find a tick, remove it immediately
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If possible, shower after spending time outdoors to help rinse off ticks that may be crawling
Lyme disease and most other tickborne diseases can be treated with antibiotics.
To learn more about Lyme disease, including symptoms, prevention, and proper tick removal, please refer to the resources linked below:
When Ticks are Found at School
Act 120 of 2024, which amended the Public School Code of 1949—Health Services, took effect on December 29, 2024, after being enacted into law on October 29, 2024. This amendment requires a school nurse, school physician or designated employee of a school entity to remove a tick from a student in accordance with guidelines issued by the Secretary of Health.
Parents will be notified if a tick is removed from their child. After removal, the tick shall be preserved for the parent or guardian of the student to send to the Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania for testing if they choose to do so. Information will be provided to the parent or guardian on how to send the tick to the Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania.
Following the removal of a tick, parents should contact their child’s physician to discuss if prophylactic treatment for tick-borne disease prevention is indicated and any medical concerns. Depending on the type of tick and how long it was attached, antibiotic prophylaxis might help to prevent Lyme disease.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, children should be monitored for symptoms of tick-borne disease for 30 days. Common symptoms include: rash, fever, joint or body aches, and headaches. Less common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If your child shows any of these symptoms, they should see a health care provider. Not all tick bites lead to tick-borne illness.
More information and resources on ticks can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s website and on the CDC website.