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Managing Ticks, Bug Bites, and Poison Ivy

As the weather finally warms up in central Iowa, our kids are eager to trade their winter coats for hiking boots, bikes, and backyard adventures. But spending more time in the grass and woods also means sharing the outdoors with some uninvited guests: ticks, mosquitoes, and poison ivy.

At Des Moines Pediatrics, we want your family to enjoy everything summer has to offer without the stress of outdoor pests. Here is your essential guide to preventing, identifying, and managing ticks, bug bites, and poison ivy this season.

Tackling Ticks in Iowa

Tick populations—and the risk of tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease—are steadily rising across the Midwest, particularly in Iowa. While this sounds scary, basic prevention and prompt removal are highly effective at keeping your child safe.

Prevention First:

  • Use the right repellent: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using insect repellent with 10% to 30% DEET for children 2 months and older.

  • Treat their gear: Consider treating your child’s shoes, socks, and camping gear with 0.5% permethrin. Note: Permethrin should only be applied to clothing, never directly to the skin.

  • Do a daily tick check: After playing in wooded or brushy areas, check your child’s entire body. Pay close attention to hidden areas: behind the ears, along the hairline, in the armpits, the belly button, and behind the knees.

  • Hit the showers: Having your child shower within two hours of coming inside can help wash off unattached ticks.

How to Safely Remove a Tick

If you find a tick attached to your child, do not panic. The risk of Lyme disease is very low if the tick is removed within the first 36 hours.

  • Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.

  • Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk, as this can cause the tick’s head to break off in the skin. (If the head does break off, leave it alone; the skin will naturally heal and shed it.)

  • Clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

  • Never use petroleum jelly, nail polish, or a hot match to try and force the tick out.

When to Call Us:

Contact our office if you cannot remove the tick, if a bullseye-shaped rash develops around the bite (usually 2 to 4 weeks later), or if your child develops a sudden fever, body aches, or extreme fatigue.

Banishing Bug Bites

Mosquitoes and chiggers are an inevitable part of an Iowa summer. While usually harmless, these bites can be incredibly itchy and uncomfortable for little ones.

Soothing the Itch:

  • Wash the bite with soap and water.

  • Apply a cool, damp cloth to the area to reduce swelling.

  • Use an over-the-counter calamine lotion or 1% hydrocortisone cream applied directly to the bite.

  • Keep your child’s fingernails trimmed short. Excessive scratching can break the skin and lead to bacterial infections.

When to Call Us:

If a bug bite becomes warm to the touch, rapidly expands in redness, starts leaking pus, or is accompanied by a fever, it may be infected.

Outsmarting Poison Ivy

“Leaves of three, let it be!” Poison ivy is common along Iowa trails and even in overgrown backyard corners. The allergic reaction is caused by urushiol, an oil found in the plant’s sap.

Immediate Action After Exposure:

If you suspect your child has touched poison ivy, wash their skin immediately with plenty of cool water and dishwashing soap (which cuts through the oil). Do not scrub harshly, as this can spread the oil. Be sure to wash their clothes, shoes, and any toys they were playing with, as urushiol oil can linger on surfaces for months.

Treating the Rash:

A poison ivy rash typically appears within a few hours to a few days after exposure and can take up to three weeks to fully heal.

  • Oatmeal Baths: Soaking in a lukewarm bath with a colloidal oatmeal product can provide widespread relief.

  • Topical Creams: Apply calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to the most irritated spots. Avoid applying these near the eyes or mouth.

  • Oral Antihistamines: If the itch is keeping your child awake, an over-the-counter oral antihistamine given at bedtime can help them rest.

When to Call Us:

While most cases can be managed at home, call your pediatrician if the rash covers a large portion of your child’s body, is located on their face or genitals, or shows signs of infection.

Get Out and Explore!

Don’t let the fear of bugs and plants keep your family indoors. With a little preparation, you can safely enjoy the beautiful Iowa summer.

If you have concerns about a stubborn rash, a lingering tick bite, or need to schedule your child’s summer camp physical, we are here for you. Contact Des Moines Pediatrics to schedule an appointment at our Beaverdale or Ankeny clinic locations today!