How to Check a Child for Ticks

How to Check a Child for Ticks at a Glance

Choose a bright, warm and private room. Check clothing first, then follow the same head-to-toe routine each time.

1. Inspect the child’s clothing, shoes and outdoor equipment.
2. Check the hairline and entire scalp.
3. Look in and behind both ears.
4. Inspect the neck, shoulders and under the arms.
5. Check the chest, back, waist and belly button.
6. Inspect the groin and between the legs with appropriate privacy.
7. Check the buttocks and upper thighs.
8. Inspect the fronts and backs of both knees.
9. Check the lower legs, ankles and sock lines.
10. Inspect both feet and between every toe.
11. Look closely at every unfamiliar dark spot or bump.

A complete check is important because a tick can attach anywhere on the body, not only in the most common hiding places.

What Should You Do Before Checking a Child?

A little preparation makes the check faster, calmer and more thorough.

Choose a private and well-lit room

Use bright, even lighting and keep the room warm enough for the child to change clothes comfortably.

A bathroom, bedroom or another quiet room with a mirror can work well.

Explain what you are doing

Use simple and reassuring language.

You might say:

“We are checking for tiny ticks that can sometimes come home with us after playing outside. I will look carefully and tell you before I check each area.”

Prepare useful items

Have the following nearby:

• A comb
• Hair clips
• A handheld mirror
• Bright lighting
• Your smartphone
• Fine-tipped tweezers in case a tick is found
• A sealed container or tape for a removed tick

Ask about unfamiliar spots

Older children may know which freckles, moles or skin marks are normally present.

Ask them to point out familiar marks before assuming that every dark spot could be a tick.

Check for injuries or irritation

Scratches, scabs, insect bites and dirt can resemble very small ticks.

Do not scratch or pull at an unfamiliar spot before inspecting it carefully.

Check the Child’s Clothing First

A tick may be crawling on clothing without yet being attached to the skin.

Inspect outdoor clothing

Check:

• Shirts and jackets
• Trousers and shorts
• Underwear
• Socks
• Shoes and boots
• Hats and caps
• Gloves
• Scarves

Look along seams and folds

Ticks can be difficult to see along dark seams, cuffs, waistbands and pockets.

Check shoes and socks carefully

Inspect inside shoes and around the top edges of socks.

Small ticks may resemble dirt, plant material or a tiny seed.

Inspect outdoor equipment

Check backpacks, blankets, coats, sports equipment and other items used outdoors.

Keep outdoor clothing separate

Do not place unchecked outdoor clothing directly on beds, sofas or clean clothing.

How to Check a Child for Ticks Step by Step

Follow the same order every time. A predictable routine helps prevent missed areas and makes the check easier for the child.

1. Start with the forehead and hairline

Inspect the forehead, temples and the entire front hairline.

Look for tiny dark dots, seed-like bumps or unfamiliar marks.

2. Check the scalp

Part the hair into small sections and inspect the exposed scalp.

Use your fingertips to feel gently for small firm bumps beneath the hair.

3. Inspect in and behind the ears

Look at the visible outer ear, behind the ear and in the crease where the ear meets the head.

Do not insert tweezers, cotton swabs or camera accessories into the ear canal.

4. Check the back of the neck

Move long hair aside and inspect the neck, collar line and area beneath helmet or backpack straps.

5. Inspect the shoulders

Check across both shoulders and the upper back.

Use a mirror when necessary.

6. Check under both arms

Raise one arm at a time and inspect the entire armpit.

Look at the front, centre and rear of each skin fold.

7. Inspect the arms and hands

Check the upper arms, elbows, forearms, wrists, palms, backs of the hands and between the fingers.

Remove watches, bracelets and wristbands.

8. Check the chest and stomach

Inspect the chest, ribs and abdomen.

Look beneath clothing lines and around any skin folds.

9. Look inside the belly button

Use bright light and inspect gently without poking or scraping the skin.

10. Check the back

Inspect between the shoulder blades, along the spine and across the lower back.

This area usually requires help from an adult or the use of mirrors.

11. Inspect around the waist

Look beneath waistbands, belts and elastic clothing.

Check the sides of the body and lower back as well as the front waistline.

12. Check the groin and upper inner thighs

Explain what you are checking before moving clothing.

Protect the child’s privacy and allow an older child to inspect private areas themselves when appropriate.

13. Inspect the buttocks

Check the skin and nearby folds while keeping the child appropriately covered.

14. Check the thighs

Inspect the front, back and inner surfaces of both thighs.

15. Look behind both knees

Bend each knee slightly and inspect the entire skin fold.

Small ticks in this area may resemble freckles or dirt.

16. Check the lower legs

Inspect the shins, calves and areas around sock lines.

17. Inspect the ankles

Look around the entire ankle, including beneath anklets or tightly fitting socks.

18. Check the feet

Inspect the tops, soles and heels of both feet.

19. Look between every toe

Separate the toes gently and inspect each space.

20. Recheck suspicious spots

Use bright lighting and examine every unfamiliar dark spot or raised area from more than one angle.

How to Check a Child’s Hair and Scalp for Ticks

The scalp deserves particular attention because hair can hide both the tick and its attachment point.

Begin around the hairline

Check the forehead, temples, above the ears, behind the ears and the back of the neck.

Divide the hair into sections

Use a comb to create a narrow part. Inspect the exposed line of scalp, then move the part slightly and repeat.

Use hair clips

Clips can keep checked sections separate from unchecked sections, especially with long or thick hair.

Run your fingertips over the scalp

Feel gently for tiny firm or seed-like bumps.

Inspect every bump visually

If you feel something unfamiliar, part the hair completely around it and examine where it meets the skin.

Use a second adult when useful

One person can hold the hair aside while another uses good lighting or the camera.

Check curly or textured hair slowly

Work through small sections rather than relying on a quick visual check of the surface.

Do not cut blindly around a bump

Avoid using scissors close to the scalp when the skin and object are not fully visible.

How to Check a Child’s Hair for Ticks →

How to Check a Younger Child or Toddler

Young children may find it difficult to remain still for a full-body check.

Choose a calm time

Check after bathing, changing clothes or when the child is relaxed.

Keep the routine short

Prepare all equipment in advance and move systematically from head to toe.

Use distraction

A toy, song, story or short video can help the child remain still.

Let the child sit with a trusted adult

One adult can comfort the child while another completes the check.

Check in stages when necessary

If the child becomes distressed, take a short break and continue until all areas have been checked.

Do not use forceful restraint

A frightened child may move suddenly, making close inspection or tick removal unsafe.

How to Check an Older Child or Teenager

Older children can participate in the check and should be given greater privacy.

Explain the full routine

Give the child a clear list of areas to inspect.

Let them check private areas

Provide a mirror and allow the child to inspect the groin, buttocks and chest themselves when appropriate.

Help with difficult areas

An adult may still need to inspect the scalp, back, behind the ears and other places the child cannot see easily.

Encourage them to report unfamiliar marks

Ask them not to scratch or pull at a dark spot before showing it to an adult.

Respect their choice of caregiver

Allow the child to choose which trusted adult assists when possible.

How to Keep a Child Calm During the Check

Stay calm yourself

Children often follow the emotional tone of the adult performing the check.

Explain each next step

Tell the child which body area you will inspect before touching it.

Avoid alarming language

Do not suggest that finding a tick automatically means the child is ill.

Offer simple choices

The child might choose:

• Whether to sit or stand
• Which toy to hold
• Which area to check first
• Whether to look at the camera image
• Which trusted adult helps

Use praise

Thank the child for remaining still and helping with the check.

Make tick checks routine

A familiar post-outdoor routine can reduce fear and resistance over time.

What Should You Do If You Find a Small Spot?

A dark or raised spot is not automatically a tick.

Possible look-alikes include:

• A freckle
• A mole
• A small scab
• A skin tag
• A splinter
• Dirt
• A tiny seed
• Another small insect
• A minor skin bump

Move into brighter lighting

Good light helps reveal the outline, legs and attachment point.

Do not scratch the spot

Scratching can damage a scab, mole or attached tick.

Look for a separate body

A tick normally has an oval, rounded or seed-like body sitting above the skin.

Look for legs

Small legs may be visible near the front or sides.

Inspect the attachment point

Look at the narrow area where the object meets the skin.

View it from more than one angle

Legs may be hidden beneath the body, hair or a skin fold.

Do not pull until you are reasonably sure

Pulling at a mole, scab or other skin feature can cause injury.

When Should You Check a Child for Ticks?

Check after the child has spent time in places where ticks may be present.

This includes:

• Woodland
• Long grass
• Brush and leaf litter
• Parks and gardens
• Campsites
• Nature trails
• Farms and rural areas
• Outdoor sports fields
• Areas used by deer or other wildlife

Check after outdoor play

Perform the check as soon as practical after the child comes indoors.

Check during bathing

Bathing provides another opportunity to inspect the skin and scalp.

Check when changing clothes

Changing helps expose areas that may have been covered outdoors.

Check after contact with pets

Dogs and cats can carry unattached ticks indoors on their coat.

Check again if exposure was significant

A second check later can help find a small tick that was missed initially.

What Should You Do If You Find an Attached Tick?

Remove the tick promptly and carefully with clean fine-tipped tweezers or a suitable tick-removal tool.

Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward using slow, steady pressure. Do not twist, jerk, burn or crush the tick.

How to Remove a Tick From a Child

Clean the bite area

After removal, clean the skin and wash your hands.

Record the date and location

Note when the tick was found and where it was attached.

Take a clear photograph

Photograph the bite area in bright, neutral lighting for later comparison.

Check for additional ticks

Complete the entire head-to-toe routine even after finding one tick.

Monitor the child

Watch the bite area and the child’s general health over the following days and weeks.

Seek medical help for sensitive locations

Contact a healthcare professional if the tick is near the eye, deep inside the ear, inside the mouth or cannot be removed safely.

When Should You Contact a Healthcare Professional?

Seek medical advice when removal is difficult or concerning symptoms develop.

Contact a healthcare professional if:

• The tick cannot be removed safely
• The tick is attached near the eye
• The tick is deep inside the ear
• The tick is inside the mouth
• Several ticks are attached
• The bite area becomes increasingly painful or swollen
• The area produces pus or discharge
• A spreading circular, oval or unusual rash develops
• The child develops fever or chills
• The child develops headache
• The child becomes unusually tired
• The child develops muscle or joint pain
• The child develops facial weakness
• The child appears generally unwell

Removing an attached tick promptly is recommended, and the bite area should then be monitored for changes. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Do not wait for a perfect bull’s-eye rash

A concerning rash can be solid, circular, oval or irregular rather than forming a textbook target.

Tell the clinician about the exposure

Provide the date of the check, bite location, likely exposure area and any photographs.

Seek urgent help for severe symptoms

Seek urgent medical assistance if the child develops breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, severe headache or rapidly worsening illness.

Common Mistakes During a Child Tick Check

Checking only exposed skin

Ticks can crawl beneath clothing before attaching.

Skipping the scalp

Hair can conceal very small and larger ticks completely.

Looking only at common hiding places

Ticks can attach anywhere, so complete the entire body check.

Checking too quickly

Small ticks may resemble freckles, dirt or tiny scabs.

Using poor lighting

Shadows and dim light can hide the body and legs.

Pulling at every dark spot

Inspect freckles, moles, scabs and skin tags before touching them.

Ignoring the child’s privacy

Explain what you are doing and allow older children to inspect private areas themselves.

Forcing a frightened child

Take a short break rather than creating fear or unsafe sudden movements.

Forgetting clothing and equipment

Unattached ticks may remain on hats, shoes, backpacks or coats.

Stopping after finding one tick

Continue the check because more than one tick may be present.