A mother from Ohio is sharing a chilling story to alert fellow parents about seed ticks as summer approaches. Last year, her daughter, 3-year-old Lily, was enjoying a day of play in the sprinkler when she later went inside for her afternoon nap. During a routine check-up, Lily’s mother, Sarah, was horrified to discover her daughter’s skin covered with over 150 tiny black dots—seed ticks. This alarming incident necessitated months of medication and extensive testing for Lyme disease.
Seed ticks are the juvenile form of ticks, and their small size makes them easily mistaken for dirt specks. “At first, I thought they were just seeds. When I tried to wipe one off, I realized it was a TICK! She must have played near a nest of tick larvae,” Sarah recounted on social media after the frightening experience. “I spent nearly two hours meticulously removing more than 150 of these minuscule ticks from her skin.”
“It wasn’t until I tried brushing them off that I realized they weren’t coming off easily. Upon closer inspection, I saw they were tiny bugs attached to her,” Sarah explained to a local news outlet. After spending hours dealing with the situation, she gave Lily multiple baths, administered Benadryl, and washed all of her bedding to ensure a clean environment. As tick season is still relevant this year, Sarah chose to share her family’s story again to raise awareness.
Understanding Tick Activity
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ticks are most active between April and September. To minimize the risk of tick bites, the CDC suggests avoiding wooded and brushy areas with tall grass and leaf litter. Staying on marked trails during walks or hikes is also crucial. Applying bug repellent containing at least 20% DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 to both skin and clothing is recommended. When using repellent on children, parents should avoid applying it on hands, eyes, or mouth and use permethrin on clothing.
What to Do If You Find a Tick
If you find a tick on yourself or your child, experts recommend using tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pulling up with steady pressure. Seed ticks are even smaller than adult ticks, so patience is key to avoid leaving parts behind. After removal, placing the tick in rubbing alcohol and cleaning the bite area with soap and water is advised.
If you notice even one tick on your body, shower immediately to check for hidden ones. Use a mirror to thoroughly examine your body, focusing on areas like under the arms, around the ears, and inside the belly button. Though this process may seem daunting, it only takes about 10 minutes and is vital for preventing tick-borne diseases. Our family is an outdoor-loving one and always checks for ticks after our hikes. Don’t forget to check pets and wash any clothes worn during tick exposure in hot water, followed by a high-heat tumble dry for at least 10 minutes.
Recognizing Symptoms
Symptoms of tick bites can be concerning but don’t always indicate disease. The morning after Lily’s bite, her mother noticed a low-grade fever, red spots, and a swollen lymph node. After an aggressive treatment plan involving antibiotics and antihistamines, Lily eventually required surgery due to a cyst that formed in the affected area. Sarah continues to share her story to help other families. “I hope to encourage others to educate themselves about ticks, so we can prevent a lifetime of tick-related health issues,” she stated. “If my post helps even one person avoid this terrifying ordeal, I will consider it a success.”
Additional Resources
For more insights on fertility and pregnancy, check out this resource or visit Modern Family Blog for expert information. Additionally, you can find comprehensive guidance on tick bites and their management at Mayo Clinic.
Conclusion
In summary, Sarah’s experience serves as a critical reminder for all parents to stay vigilant during tick season. Awareness and preventive measures are essential for keeping our children safe from the hidden dangers of seed ticks.