The deer tick, about the size of a poppy seed, carries Lyme Disease. The rash occurs days after the tick is removed and consists of a mark resembling a target a dark central blotch surrounded by a light halo and a red ring. If you do see a tick on your child you should remove it with the use of a tweezers. Make sure to use care to pull out the entire insect, wash the bite area well and examine the child for any more ticks that might remain. If you have any doubts about the type of tick it is, you should save it and have your physician examine it.
Insect bites are common in the spring and summer months.
If you use an insect repellent, it should be applied to the child's clothing, not the skin. Bee, hornet, or wasp stings can be treated by scraping out the stinger, washing the area with soap and water and applying cold compresses. Last summer the yellow jacket hornet was the cause of numerous stings in our area, which caused considerable swelling in hands of the children. There was no long-term effect, just some discomfort. When a sting occurs, and if you see swelling begin, be sure to elevate the extremity along with applying the cold compresses.