Tick-Talk 
With the growing threat of Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in many regions of the United States, much attention has been paid to ticks* and tick bites.
When outdoors during prime tick season (May through October), make sure you do a daily "tick check." Check out all of the crevices of your body, especially areas where you sweat, to make sure no ticks have crawled there.
Have your mom or dad check your hair, as well. Keep in mind that ticks can be as small as pinheads!
If you find a tick on your body, have an adult quickly remove it by grasping it close to the mouth with tweezers or fingernails, being careful not to break it off where it sticks out of the skin. If it has not lodged into your skin yet, quickly brush it off with your hand and step on it, so it doesn't crawl on someone else!
*IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR PARENTS!
If you live in a region with a high tick population, such as the Northeast, you should do a daily check of your own and your child's body, especially the hair, groin and underarm regions.
Apply a triple antibiotic ointment, such as Lanabiotic® First Aid and Pain Relief Ointment, to the area of a recent bite, which may help prevent the spread of skin infection in the very early stages. If a bulls-eye rash forms, or if you experience fatigue, weakness and flu-like symptoms, see a physician immediately for oral antibiotic treatment. When outdoors in tick-country, wear light-colored clothes so their small, dark bodies are easier to detect. Insect repellants containing DEET are also effective in protecting against ticks. There is also a new vaccine available to protect against Lyme Disease - ask your doctor about the age requirements and side effects.
