Removing a tick

Keepstanding, ASN, RN · May 7, 2009

in my system we call and get permission from the parent and then pull. i hate when i can't reach the parent....it goes against my grain to leave a tick on a child, so i will exhaust all means to try to get permission from someone on the emergency call card. i send the (dead) tick home, taped to the form letter about the removal of the tick so the parents can identify it, if there is further problems. i cleanse the tick site with alcohol and send them back to class. hope this helps you !

praiser :heartbeat

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · May 8, 2009

We remove ticks at my school. However, if the tick is attached to the eye lid ( like I had last year), we have the doc remove it because its just too close to the eye. We also send home a tick information letter for the parents to sign.

cowgirlBSN · May 8, 2009

Wow, I've not given ticks that much thought. We have this problem often (living in Southern Illinois). I am deathly afraid of ticks. I refuse to touch them. Some people have a snake issue, I have a tick issue. Anyway, I have the student pull it themselves, I always make sure the entire tick is removed, then I treat with peroxide. Kind teachers have pulled them for me before as well. I've not informed parents before but thinking about what a tick can cause, it would be a good idea to start. I've always monitored the bite mark for unusual markings or excessive redness. Thanks for the post. It is something I need to work out a plan for.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · May 8, 2009

Wow, I've not given ticks that much thought. We have this problem often (living in Southern Illinois). I am deathly afraid of ticks. I refuse to touch them. Some people have a snake issue, I have a tick issue. Anyway, I have the student pull it themselves, I always make sure the entire tick is removed, then I treat with peroxide. Kind teachers have pulled them for me before as well. I've not informed parents before but thinking about what a tick can cause, it would be a good idea to start. I've always monitored the bite mark for unusual markings or excessive redness. Thanks for the post. It is something I need to work out a plan for.

Oh yes, you definitely need to notify the parent either via phone care or a generic letter or something. We have a tick letter that basically says :

Dear Parent:

Your child _____________ had a tick removed from his/her _______ today. We feel that you should be aware of this since there is an increasing incidence of Rocky Mountain fever and lyme disease in_____, and because of the possibility of inflammation and infection at the area of the bite.

Please examine your child for the presence of additional ticks today any time your child has been in a woody area.

Also please observer for symptoms of illnesses such as a headache, fever, chills ,fatigue, rash, or joint pain. If redness or swelling occurs at the area of the bite, treatment by a doctor may be needed. If symptoms do occur with in the next two or three weeks, a physician should be contacted immediately.

Sincerely,

_______________

This letter will CYA just in case something was to happen as a result of a tick. Hope this helps.