Where to check after grass: children differ from adults

Tick checks fail not only when a family forgets, but when everyone follows the same body order. Research cited by RIVM found the head and neck in 32% of recorded child bites, while legs accounted for 55% among adults. Hairlines, behind the ears, armpits, groin, backs of knees and underwear edges still need attention. A newly attached tick may look like a black dot only one to three millimetres wide, becoming obvious only after feeding. Making the check part of changing clothes or bathing after green space is more reliable than remembering occasionally. Record the date and place after removal; a new expanding red patch or ring, or later illness, requires contact with a GP within the monitoring period.

• Children are bitten most often around head and neck; adults most often on legs.
• A fresh tick may be only 1–3 mm and resemble a black dot.
• Remove it promptly with pointed tweezers or a suitable remover.
• Watch the site for three months and contact a GP for a new expanding rash.

Hokimi field note：Use a mirror or another person for hairlines and ears; if ticks remain on clothing, follow RIVM’s hot-wash or dryer guidance. Information last checked on 12 August 2026：source1 · source2。