Stay free from ticks this summer
6/1/2026 by Laura M. Hernandez-Diaz, M.D.
Lyme disease, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is bacterial infection spread through the bite of deer ticks (blacklegged ticks). Minnesota has some of the highest rates of infection in the country. The good news? A few simple habits can protect your whole family.
Before heading outside:
- Wear light-colored clothes with long sleeves.
- Tuck pants into socks.
- Treat clothes with tick spray (permethrin 0.5%) and let the clothes dry fully before wearing them.
- Apply bug repellent to exposed skin. DEET (20–30%) and picaridin (15% or higher) are both good options. DEET is safe for babies 2 months and older. Always apply sunscreen first, then repellent. Reapply after swimming or heavy sweating.
After returning inside:
- Do a full skin check.
- Shower within two hours. This helps find ticks and lowers the risk of getting sick.
- Dry clothes on high heat for at least 10 minutes.
If you find a tick:
- Use fine-tipped tweezers, grab close to the skin and pull straight up. Don't twist or burn it.
- Save the tick in a sealed bag and write down the date and location.
- If the tick looks swollen, call your healthcare professional right away.
Does my child need antibiotics?
Your doctor may recommend a single antibiotic dose if the tick was attached for 36 or more hours and removed within the last 72 hours.
What should I watch for?
Watch for a round, red rash that slowly grows, along with fatigue, body aches or headaches. These can be early signs of Lyme disease. Call your healthcare professional if you notice any of these.
Laura M. Hernandez-Diaz, M.D. is a third-year pediatric resident in Community Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She will be starting fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at the University of Colorado Anschutz.