Lifestyle
Mother Shares Harrowing Seed Tick Experience to Warn Others
by Jerriann Sullivan
Updated: May 6, 2021
Originally Published: July 5, 2017
An Ohio mother, Sarah Thompson, is sounding the alarm about the dangers of seed ticks as summer approaches. Last year, her three-year-old daughter, Lily, was outside playing in a sprinkler before heading in for her afternoon nap. While changing her, Sarah discovered hundreds of tiny black dots covering Lily’s skin. These were seed ticks, and the encounter led to months of medication and years of Lyme disease testing.
Seed ticks are the immature stage of ticks, but they’re so small that they can easily be mistaken for dirt or seeds. “At first, I thought they were just little seeds, but when I tried to wipe one off, it moved! She must’ve been near a nest of tick larvae and got infested,” Sarah later recounted on social media. “I ended up spending an hour and a half picking off over 150 of those tiny pests.”
As she shared her shocking experience with CBS News, Sarah mentioned how she initially tried to brush the ticks off her daughter’s skin, only to realize they were clinging on. After the ordeal, she gave Lily several baths and administered Benadryl before washing all of her bedding. With tick season still a concern, Sarah took to social media again to spread awareness.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that ticks are most active from April to September. To minimize the risk of tick bites, the CDC advises staying clear of wooded and overgrown areas, walking in the center of marked trails, and applying bug spray containing 20% or more DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 to your skin and clothing. Parents are encouraged to apply these products carefully, avoiding their children’s hands, eyes, and mouth, and to use permethrin on clothing.
If a tick is found on you or your child, experts recommend using tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it out gently without twisting, as this could leave parts behind. After removing the tick, it’s best to place it in rubbing alcohol and clean the bite area thoroughly with soap and water, an iodine scrub, or rubbing alcohol.
If you spot even one tick, shower immediately to check for others. Use a mirror to inspect your entire body, especially under arms, around ears, in belly buttons, and other hidden spots. While it may sound daunting, this process only takes about ten minutes and is crucial for avoiding potential diseases. Our family enjoys hiking, so we regularly check for ticks. Don’t forget to check your pets and wash any clothing worn during tick encounters in hot water, followed by a tumble dry on high for at least ten minutes.
The day after Lily’s tick incident, she woke up with a low-grade fever, red spots, and a swollen lymph node the size of a marble. After aggressive treatment with antibiotics and antihistamines, she even required surgery for a cyst that developed. Sarah continues to share their story to help other parents: “I want to encourage everyone to be informed about ticks and what to look for. If my post helps even one person avoid this nerve-wracking experience, it’s worth it.”
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In summary, seed ticks can pose serious health risks, especially to young children. Awareness and prevention are key, so parents should educate themselves on how to recognize and deal with ticks effectively.