Tick Bites and Lyme Disease in Children: What Every NJ Parent Should Know
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This health information is reviewed by board-certified pediatricians and follows current American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines.
New Jersey consistently ranks among the top states in the country for Lyme disease cases — and tick season in our area runs from early April through October, with the highest risk during the warm months when families in Robbinsville, Hamilton, East Windsor, and across Mercer County spend the most time outdoors. At Hummingbird Pediatrics, we want every family to feel confident handling a tick bite calmly and knowing exactly when to call us.
Understanding Ticks in New Jersey
The black-legged tick (also called the deer tick) is the main tick responsible for spreading Lyme disease in New Jersey. These ticks are tiny — nymphs (the most common biting stage) are about the size of a poppy seed, making them very easy to miss. They live in wooded areas, tall grass, leaf litter, and along the edges of trails. Your yard can harbor ticks even if you don't live near a forest.
Ticks do not jump or fly — they wait on vegetation and attach when a person or animal brushes against them.
How to Safely Remove a Tick
If you find a tick on your child, stay calm. Safe removal is straightforward:
- Use fine-tipped tweezers (not your fingers) and grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure — do not twist or jerk, as this can cause the mouthparts to break off in the skin
- After removal, clean the bite area thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or soap and water
- Dispose of the tick by placing it in alcohol, sealing it in a bag, or flushing it down the toilet — do not crush it with your fingers
- Note the date of the bite and, if possible, save the tick in a sealed bag for identification
Do not use petroleum jelly, nail polish, or heat to remove a tick — these methods do not work and can make things worse.
How Long Was the Tick Attached?
The transmission of Lyme disease from a tick to a person generally requires the tick to be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more. An engorged (swollen) tick has been feeding longer; a flat tick was likely attached for a shorter period. This is why daily tick checks are so important — finding and removing ticks quickly dramatically reduces the risk of infection.
Signs to Watch For After a Tick Bite
The Lyme Bullseye Rash (Erythema Migrans)
The most recognizable sign of Lyme disease is a circular, expanding rash with a clear center that resembles a bullseye. It typically appears 3 to 30 days after the bite — often at the bite site but sometimes elsewhere on the body. The rash is usually not painful or itchy.
Not all Lyme infections produce a bullseye rash, and not all circular rashes are Lyme — which is why it's always worth calling us if you're unsure.
Other Early Lyme Symptoms
- Fever, chills, or fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle aches and joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
If left untreated, Lyme disease can affect the joints, nervous system, and heart — which is why early treatment matters.
When to Call Hummingbird Pediatrics
- You found a tick on your child that appears engorged (suggesting it was attached for a long time)
- A bullseye rash develops at or near the bite site
- Your child develops fever, fatigue, joint pain, or other symptoms within 4 weeks of a tick bite
- You are unsure whether to pursue testing or preventive treatment
Preventing Tick Bites
- Apply an insect repellent approved for children's age to exposed skin before outdoor activities — ask your pediatrician which formulation is appropriate for your child's age
- Dress children in light-colored clothing (easier to spot ticks), long sleeves, and pants tucked into socks when in tick-prone areas
- Stay on the center of trails and avoid tall grass and leaf piles
- Treat outdoor clothing and gear with permethrin (a separate product from skin repellents) according to label directions
- Do a full-body tick check on your child, yourself, and pets after every outdoor outing — check behind the ears, the back of the neck, under the arms, around the waist, between the legs, and around the ankles
- Shower within two hours of coming indoors
Tick season in New Jersey is long, but with the right habits it is very manageable. Our team at Hummingbird Pediatrics is always here to help you navigate a bite, evaluate a rash, or answer questions about prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I safely remove a tick from my child?
Use fine-tipped tweezers and grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure — do not twist or jerk. After removal, clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Do not use petroleum jelly, nail polish, or heat to remove a tick; these methods do not work and can increase the risk of disease transmission.
How long does a tick need to be attached to transmit Lyme disease?
In general, a deer tick (black-legged tick) needs to be attached for at least 36–48 hours to transmit Lyme disease bacteria. This is why prompt tick checks after outdoor time are so important. Ticks found and removed within 24 hours are very unlikely to have transmitted Lyme disease.
What does the Lyme disease rash look like, and when does it appear?
The classic Lyme rash (erythema migrans) is a circular or oval red rash that gradually expands outward from the bite site, sometimes with a clear center that resembles a bullseye. It typically appears 3–30 days after the bite and measures at least 2 inches across. Not all Lyme rashes have the bullseye pattern — some are solid red — and not all children with Lyme disease develop a visible rash.
My child was bitten by a tick but doesn't have a rash. Should I call the doctor?
Yes, it's worth a call. Let your pediatrician know the tick was found, how long you estimate it was attached, and where on the body it was. In high-risk areas like New Jersey, your doctor may recommend a single preventive dose of an antibiotic if the tick was attached for 36 or more hours and was removed within 72 hours. Even without a rash, watch for fever, fatigue, and joint pain over the next 30 days.
How can I reduce my child's risk of tick bites in New Jersey?
New Jersey has one of the highest rates of Lyme disease in the country, so prevention matters. Dress children in light-colored clothing with long sleeves and pants when walking in wooded or grassy areas. Use an insect repellent containing DEET (30% or less for children over 2 months) on exposed skin. Tuck pants into socks and shirts into waistbands. Do a full-body tick check as soon as you come inside, paying attention to the scalp, behind the ears, armpits, belly button, groin, and backs of knees.
Need Personal Guidance?
This article provides general information. For questions specific to your child's health, please call our office or book an appointment online.