Mein Baby ist krank - Zeckenbiss bei Kleinkindern.

Tick bites in small children

 

Definition:

Ticks are smaller than a pinhead and they lurk in the undergrowth along woodland paths or in damp areas waiting for suitable victims. The main season for ticks is April to July, especially when a humid summer follows a mild winter. But tick bites can even occur in the winter when the weather is mild.

Causes:

Tick bites (though they are actually stings as opposed to bites) go unnoticed and the tick continues to feed on the host’s blood until it is full. A tick bite can also transmit tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and Lyme disease (as well as other diseases).

Symptoms:

You will usually only notice the bite once the tick has swollen to several times its original size.

 What can mum/dad do?

Ticks should be removed immediately with the help of tweezers or a special tick remover tool without previously ‘treating’ them with chemicals or irritating them.

 When should you see a doctor?

We recommend seeing a doctor if the child has any of the following symptoms:
  • redness of the skin shaped like a bull’s eye (erythema migrans in Lyme disease)
  • facial paralysis
  • seizures
  • flu-like symptoms such as joint pain and headaches
  • vomiting
  • high fever

How to prevent tick bites?

Before taking a walk in the woods or through fields, it is worth applying a tick repellent spray to your clothing, shoes and skin. 

After your walk, it is also worth thoroughly checking the skin.

A vaccine is available that protects against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), but not against Lyme disease. Three injections provide protection for 10 years. This vaccination is recommended for children from 6 years of age. Younger children who live near forests or in a high-risk area can be vaccinated from the age of 1. This vaccination has been recommended in Switzerland since 2019 (except in Geneva and Ticino).