How to Check Your Child for Ticks After Playing Outdoors

Children need time outdoors. Think back to your own childhood, some of your favorite memories may be from playing outside, exploring the woods, climbing trees, catching bugs, or simply spending hours outdoors. Research has found many physical and mental health benefits associated with children spending time in nature, including opportunities for physical activity, reduced stress, and improved well-being.

Ticks are part of spending time outdoors on Long Island, but they shouldn't stop your family from enjoying nature. There are steps you can take to reduce tick exposure, including wearing protective clothing, using an appropriate insect repellent, staying on established trails, and checking for ticks after spending time outside.

The most important thing is to make tick checks part of your family's regular outdoor routine. Just like brushing your child's teeth or applying sunscreen, checking for ticks can become something you automatically do after hiking, playing in the yard, visiting a park, or spending time in other tick habitats. It only takes a few minutes, and the more consistently you do it, the easier it becomes to remember.

Why Is a Tick Check Important?

Ticks are common on Long Island you don't have to go hiking to find a tick! Ticks can live in parks, school fields, playgrounds with grass, backyards, gardens, farms, camps, sports fields, wooded areas, shrubs, leaf piles, and tall grass. That's why it's important to check for ticks after any outdoor adventure. A tick check after being outdoors is one of the best ways to reduce your chance of getting a tick-borne illness.

Most ticks do not attach right away. They often crawl on clothing or skin looking for a place to attach. Finding and removing a tick as soon as possible is the best way to reduce your risk. Make a tick check part of your hiking routine, just like putting away your backpack or taking off your hiking boots.

Step 1: Check Your Clothing

Before getting into your car or entering your home:

-Brush off your clothing.

-Check your socks and shoes.

-Look at the cuffs of your pants.

-Check around your waistband.

-Remove any leaves or plant material.

Ticks are small and may crawl on clothing before attaching to your skin.

Quick Tip: Use a lint roller before getting in the car.

Step 2: Check Your Gear

Ticks can also hitch a ride on equipment. Look over your:

-Backpack, jacket, hat, blanket, hiking poles, binocular strap, picnic blanket

Step 3: Check Your Whole Body

Find a well-lit room. Use a full-length mirror and a hand mirror if needed. Look carefully over your entire body. Ticks can be as small as a poppy seed, so look slowly and carefully.

Shower After Hiking

Taking a shower after coming indoors can help wash away ticks that have not yet attached and gives you another chance to check your skin.

What Should I Do With My Clothes?

After hiking:

-Change into clean clothes.

-Wash your hiking clothes.

-If possible, place clothing in a hot dryer for at least 10 minutes to kill ticks. If the clothes are damp, additional drying time may be needed.

What If You Find a Tick?

Do not squeeze the tick or try to remove it with your fingers. An adult should remove the tick using fine-tipped tweezers.

-Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.

-Pull upward slowly and steadily.

-Do not twist, jerk, or crush the tick.

-After removal, wash your hands and clean the bite area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.