Ticks can hide in lashes: simple steps for after-outdoor checks and when to seek care

A serene family outing just turned into a medical emergency for Swedish mom Alessandra Paiusco. After a morning of berry-picking, she was shocked to discover a tick attached to her 1-year-old daughter Olympia’s eyelashes. She later shared an image of the tiny tick on TikTok (where she posts as @la.tuttologa) —and it was a stunning sight.

The tick “must’ve been jumping around… onto the baby’s eye overnight,” she explained, after initially conducting a basic check.Because of the sensitive location, Olympia couldn’t be treated at home. The day after their forest visit, an anxious but determined medical team safely removed the tick in a clinic—two hours of patiently comforting and restraining a toddler in distress. Olympia bounced back quickly after being distracted with a zebra toy.

Related: 5 important tips to prevent Lyme disease in children

The story is a powerful reminder: even hidden places like eyelashes require a tick check after outdoor play.

Why every crevice counts

Ticks can attach almost anywhere—scalp, behind the ears, neck folds, diaper area, between toes… and yes, even eyelashes. These arachnids transmit diseases like Lyme disease and other tickborne illnesses, especially in wooded or grassy environments. The CDC emphasizes that regular tick checks are a key prevention step.

Post-outdoor routine: how to do it right

After a day in parks, trails, farms, or even your backyard, here’s your checklist:

• Check thoroughly: Inspect scalp, hairline, behind ears, eyelash line, neck, waistband, groin, between toes, and behind knees.
• Shower promptly: Showering within two hours helps wash off unattached ticks and aids in safer removal.
• Tumble-dry clothing: To kill ticks caught in clothing, tumble dry clothes on high heat for 10 minutes.

When removal is beyond DIY

If a tick is in a sensitive spot like the eyelid, ear canal, or near the eye—and especially if you can’t cleanly grasp the tick—seek professional removal immediately.

For accessible bites, the CDC procedural guideline is clear:

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin.
2. Pull straight up with steady, even pressure—no twisting.
   

Toss the tick into a sealed container or flush it, then clean the area and your hands thoroughly.
Watch—and act—if symptoms appear

Ticks can transmit serious diseases, but catching symptoms early is crucial. Keep an eye out for (within several days to weeks post-bite):

• Fever, headache, fatigue, muscle/joint aches, or swollen lymph nodes
• A rash, especially a “bull’s-eye” pattern
  

If symptoms appear, contact your pediatrician right away. Let them know about the tick exposure and date. Prompt medical attention can make all the difference.

Related: What parents should know about hidden risks at splash pads, according to a new CDC report

Source:

1. CDC. 2024. “Preventing Tick Bites.”
2. CDC. 2025. “What to Do After a Tick Bite.”
3. CDC. 2024. “Signs and Symptoms of Untreated Lyme Disease.”