Hello Families!

Spring is coming back and so are ticks! 

Ticks in Connecticut can carry illnesses like Lyme Disease, so early detection is important!

Please take a moment to check your child daily, especially after playing in grass, wooded areas, or fields.

Prevention:

 Light colored clothing (ticks easier to spot), tuck pants into socks for wooded areas, use an EPA-approved insect repellent

What to look for:

Small, dark ticks on the skin - sometimes as tiny as a poppy seed. Commonly found behind ears, scalp, under arms, waistline, behind knees. 

If you find a tick:

 Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward slowly and steadily (avoid twisting). Clean the area with soap and water. 

Optional:

save the tick in a sealed bag if identification is needed later. 

After removing a tick, monitor for: 

rash (especially a bullseye-shaped rash), fever, fatigue, or flu-like symptoms.

Call your child's doctor if: 

You are unable to fully remove a tick, symptoms within a few weeks, if the tick may have been attached for more than 24-36 hours. 

Check your pets too! Pets can bring in ticks into the home.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions! 

Happy Spring!