How to Check a Child for Ticks

How to Check a Child for Ticks at a Glance

Choose a bright, private and comfortable place. Check the child in a fixed order rather than looking only at exposed skin.

1. Check clothing, shoes and outdoor equipment.
2. Inspect the feet, ankles and legs.
3. Check behind the knees and around the waist.
4. Inspect the groin, belly and navel.
5. Check the back, armpits, arms and hands.
6. Look carefully around the neck and ears.
7. Part the hair and inspect the scalp in small sections.
8. Examine suspicious bumps or dark spots before attempting removal.

A dark spot or small bump is not automatically a tick. The guide How to Identify a Tick explains common features and possible look-alikes.

Where Do Ticks Commonly Hide on Children?

Ticks can attach almost anywhere on a child’s body. The scalp, hairline and other covered or difficult-to-see areas deserve particular attention.

Scalp and hair

Part the child’s hair into small sections and inspect the exposed scalp gradually. Work from one side of the head to the other.

Small ticks can be difficult to see in thick, long or curly hair. Use bright lighting and ask another adult to help when possible.

Hairline and back of the neck

Check the entire hairline, including the forehead, temples and the area where the hair meets the back of the neck.

In and around the ears

Look behind both ears, around the outer ear and in the folds surrounding the ear. Do not insert tools or objects into the ear canal.

Neck and collar area

Inspect the front, sides and back of the neck. Pay attention to areas covered by collars, necklaces or long hair.

Armpits and arms

Raise each arm gently and inspect the armpit and surrounding skin. Continue along the upper arms, elbows, forearms and wrists.

Hands and between the fingers

Check the palms, backs of the hands, around the fingernails and between the fingers.

Waist and clothing lines

Look around the waist and along areas where underwear, elastic or tight clothing touches the skin.

Belly and navel

Inspect the belly and look carefully inside and around the navel.

Groin and nearby skin folds

Check the groin and surrounding skin folds privately and appropriately. Explain what you are doing and preserve the child’s dignity.

Legs and behind the knees

Inspect both legs completely, including the inner thighs and the areas behind the knees.

Feet, ankles and between the toes

Check the tops and soles of both feet, around the ankles and between the toes. Pay attention to sock and shoe lines.

Back and buttocks

Inspect the back, lower back and buttocks as part of the full-body check. These areas can be difficult for a child to examine alone.

How to Check a Child for Ticks Step by Step

A calm routine helps the child feel safe and makes it easier to inspect every area carefully.

1. Explain the check in simple words

Tell the child that you are looking for tiny bugs that may have come home from outside. Keep the explanation short and reassuring.

Avoid using frightening language or suggesting that something is already wrong.

2. Choose a bright and comfortable place

Use a room with bright, even lighting. Make sure the child is warm, comfortable and has appropriate privacy.

A mirror, phone light or another adult may help with areas that are difficult to see.

3. Check clothing and outdoor items first

Ticks can remain on clothing or equipment before attaching. Inspect items such as:

• Trousers and shorts
• Socks and shoes
• Shirts and jackets
• Waistbands and cuffs
• Hats and caps
• Backpacks and outdoor equipment
• Blankets, pushchairs or child carriers used outdoors

4. Begin with the feet and legs

Start with the soles, tops and sides of both feet. Check between the toes and around the ankles.

Move slowly upward along the lower legs, knees and thighs. Bend each knee gently and inspect the skin behind it.

5. Check the waist, belly and groin

Inspect the waistline, belly and navel. Check the groin and nearby skin folds privately and appropriately.

Explain each step before moving clothing or checking a covered area.

6. Inspect the torso, back and armpits

Check the chest, sides, back and lower back. Raise each arm gently and inspect the armpits and surrounding skin.

7. Check the arms and hands

Inspect the shoulders, upper arms, elbows, forearms, wrists, hands and spaces between the fingers.

8. Check the neck and ears

Look around the entire neck and inspect behind and around both ears. Check underneath long hair and around clothing lines.

9. Inspect the scalp carefully

Part the hair into small sections and examine the scalp gradually. Use a comb only to separate the hair, not to scrape at suspicious spots.

Ask the child to look down, up and gently turn the head so you can inspect the hairline and back of the neck.

10. Recheck any unusual spot

Look more closely at any small bump, dark speck or attached object. Use good lighting and examine it from several angles before touching it.

Have You Found a Small Bump or Dark Spot?

A possible tick may look like a tiny dark, brown or grey spot attached to the skin. Very small ticks can be easy to confuse with freckles, dirt or small scabs.

Other possible look-alikes include:

• Moles
• Skin tags
• Scabs
• Dried blood
• Small pieces of dirt or plant material
• Minor skin changes

Do not scratch, squeeze or pull forcefully at a spot that has not been identified.

Instead:

1. Move into brighter lighting.
2. Look at the area from different angles.
3. Check whether a separate body or small legs are visible.
4. Use magnification or a camera view when helpful.
5. Keep the child from picking at the area.
6. Seek medical advice if the spot remains unclear or concerning.

How to Keep a Child Calm During the Tick Check

A child may become worried, impatient or uncomfortable during a full-body inspection. A calm approach usually makes the check easier for everyone.

Explain one step at a time

Tell the child which area you are going to check before you touch or move clothing.

Use simple and neutral language

Describe the check as a routine after playing outside rather than suggesting that the child is in danger.

Let the child help

An older child may be able to hold a mirror, move hair aside or point out an itchy or unusual area.

Provide appropriate privacy

Check covered areas respectfully and only with the privacy and assistance appropriate for the child’s age.

Take short breaks when needed

If the child becomes restless, pause briefly and then continue from the point where you stopped.

Avoid repeatedly touching a suspicious spot

Inspect the area carefully without squeezing or pulling at it. Repeated manipulation may irritate the skin and upset the child.

When Should You Check a Child for Ticks?

Check a child after time spent in grassy, wooded or brush-covered areas. Ticks may also be encountered in gardens, parks and other outdoor spaces.

A tick check may be useful after activities such as:

• Playing in long grass
• Walking or hiking
• Camping
• Playing in woodland
• Gardening
• Visiting parks or outdoor play areas
• Walking or playing with pets
• Outdoor school or nursery activities

Check outdoor clothing and belongings

Inspect shoes, socks, trousers, jackets, hats and bags. Ticks may remain on clothing before attaching to the skin.

Include the check in the evening routine

A regular tick check after outdoor activity can be combined with bathing, changing clothes or getting ready for bed.

Check the scalp even when the child has no symptoms

A child may not notice an attached tick, particularly when it is small or hidden beneath hair.

How to Check for Ticks After Hiking →

Found an Attached Tick on a Child: What Next?

Remove an attached tick carefully using fine-tipped tweezers or a suitable tick-removal tool. Grasp it as close to the skin as possible and pull upward slowly and steadily.

Do not squeeze or crush the tick’s body. After removal, clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or an appropriate antiseptic.

How to Remove a Tick Safely

After removal, these guides may also be helpful:

Monitor the child and the bite area

Keep an eye on the bite site and pay attention to changes in the child’s health. Seek medical advice if an expanding rash develops, the child becomes unwell or you have concerns following the bite.

Do not frighten the child

Explain that the tick has been removed and that you will simply keep an eye on the area.

Common Mistakes When Checking a Child

Checking only exposed skin

Ticks can move beneath clothing before attaching. Covered areas should be included in the check.

Forgetting the scalp

The scalp and hairline are especially easy to overlook, particularly when the child has thick or long hair.

Moving too quickly

Very small ticks can resemble freckles or tiny pieces of dirt. A rushed inspection makes them easier to miss.

Skipping the navel, groin or armpits

Warm and covered areas may be missed during a quick check. Inspect them privately and appropriately.

Relying only on the child to report a bite

A tick bite may not be noticed. A child may also be unable to describe or locate an unusual sensation accurately.

Pulling at every dark spot

Not every dark or raised area is a tick. Inspect the spot before attempting removal.

Making the child frightened

Alarmed language or repeated warnings may make future checks more difficult. Keep the process calm and routine.