The longer a tick is attached to a person, the greater the chance a person has of being infected by the tick. For Lyme disease to be transmitted, the tick needs to be attached for at least 18 to 24 hours. If it is not diagnosed until stage II or III, a month of antibiotics may be necessary, and the antibiotic will probably be given by injection into a muscle or vein. Antibiotics should be given to any youngster who develops a rash characteristic of Lyme disease within one month of having a tick bite or within one month of being in a high-risk area. Remember that most deer tick bites do not pass on Lyme disease.
Ticks like to hide in underbrush and shrubbery, especially during spring and early summer.
Children and adults who are hiking, picnicking, or playing in tick-infested areas should wear long pants and tuck the ends of the pants into their socks. Apply an insect repellent to shoes and socks. While you are outside look for ticks on each other every 2 to 3 hours and remove any ticks on the clothing or exposed skin. Because a tick's bite is painless and doesn't itch, a person usually does not know that he or she has been bitten by a tick. Immediately after being outside or at least once a day, check the bare skin.