Summarize:

The possibility of Lyme disease from a tick bite increases the longer the tick remains attached to your child. Any ticks that have attached to your child's skin should be removed immediately. If you remove the tick within 24 hours of its original attachment, the chance of getting Lyme disease is decreased. Use rubbing alcohol to disinfect your child's skin around the area where the tick is attached. You should also sterilize the tweezers by wiping them with rubbing alcohol. Using a clean pair of tweezers, gently grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. This will help ensure that you remove the tick's head and mouth as well. Pull the tick upward and away from the skin steadily and carefully. Do not twist or yank it. Pulling it quickly could rip the body away and leave the mouth parts of the tick behind. Avoid crushing or squeezing the tick. This helps to prevent the possibly toxic fluid in the belly of the tick from entering your child's bloodstream. Avoid using a lit match or petroleum jelly to remove a tick or to try to kill it. These methods will only cause the tick to burrow deeper into the skin and release its saliva, which increases the chance of Lyme disease. They are not effective tick-removal methods. If you find that some of the tick still remains in the skin after removal, don't worry. It's not possible for the tick to survive with just part of its body embedded. The rest of the tick will eventually come out in much the same way as a splinter. Do not dispose of the tick. Instead, once the tick has been removed, kept in a sealed container. You need to give it to your doctor so she can test it to see if it is a Lyme disease carrier. Although helpful, this is not necessary, so don't worry if you can't keep the tick. This is not as high a priority as taking care of your children when they are bitten. If you have to destroy the tick to get it off of your child, do it. Removing it is the top priority. In order to remove any residual toxin released by the tick, you need to clean your child's skin. It is best if you use antiseptic or any other antibacterial cleaning agent. Wet a cloth or cotton ball with antiseptic and gently wipe the affected area. If the area becomes irritated where the tick bit your child, swab the area with antibacterial ointment such as Neosporin to ensure it doesn't get infected. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after you have cleansed your child's skin. If your child gets bitten by a tick, you should take him to the doctor. If he is infected, confirming the presence of Lyme disease will allow him to receive the necessary treatment as quickly as possible. Even if you couldn't keep the tick, your doctor will still be able to diagnose your child either way.
Understand the increased risk. Disinfect the area around the tick. Use fine-tipped tweezers to remove the tick. Place the tick in a container. Clean the tick bite area. Take your child to the doctor.