LYME DISEASE

Lyme disease is an infection spread through the bite of an infected tick. Not all ticks carry Lyme disease. The ticks that spread it are very small—about the size of a sesame seed—and can be difficult to see. Boys ages 5 to 19 are at higher risk, but anyone can get Lyme disease.

 

Signs and Symptoms:

 

Watch for the following symptoms within days to weeks after a tick bite:

 

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Chills
  • Stiff neck
  • Fatigue
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Red, expanding rash
    • May look like a “bulls-eye”
    • May have a clear center
    • Rash grows over time (silver dollar size or greater)

Treatment:

  • Check the bite area daily for one month after tick bite
  • Look for a growing red rash, especially one that looks like a “bulls-eye”
  • Contact us if a rash develops
  • Antibiotics are the main treatment
    • Usually taken for up to 14 days
    • Your child must finish all prescribed medicine, even if feeling better
  • Most people recover fully with early treatment
  • If untreated, Lyme disease can spread to:
    • Heart
    • Nervous system
    • Joints
      • These complications require longer antibiotic treatment
    • Children may return to school or childcare when they feel well enough

Prevention:

After being outdoors:

  • Check all family members and pets for ticks
  • Remove ticks promptly using fine-tipped tweezers
  • If a tick is attached for less than 24 hours, the risk of Lyme disease is low

Using insect repellents:

  • Do not use products that combine sunscreen and insect repellent
  • Picaridin
    • Safe for children over 2 years old
  • Permethrin
    • Apply only to clothing or outdoor gear
    • Never apply to skin
  • DEET (10-30%)
    • Do not use on babies younger than 2 months
    • Apply once daily only (as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics)
    • Apply to your hands first, then rub on your child
    • Do not apply:
      • On cuts or wounds
      • On children’s hands
      • Under clothing
    • Avoid eyes and mouth; use lightly around ears
    • Wash skin after returning indoors
    • Wash treated clothing before wearing again
    • Keep repellents out of reach of children and pets

Clothing and Outdoor Safety:

  • Wear light-colored clothing
  • Tuck long pants into socks
  • Wear close-toed shoes
  • Avoid tall grass and wooded areas when possible
  • Keep lawns trimmed and remove leaves
  • Place playground equipment and patios away from wooded areas

Protecting Pets:

  • Check pets for ticks before they come indoors
  • Pets can carry ticks inside, even if you yourself were not outdoors

Tick Facts:

  • Tick bites are usually painless
  • Ticks are often picked up on lower legs and crawl upward
  • Ticks do not:
    • Jump
    • Fly
    • Drop from trees
  • They attach by grabbing onto people or animals brushing against grass or leaves

How to remove a tick:

  1. Wash your hands with soap and water
  2. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin
  3. Pull upward steadily without twisting
  4. Clean the bite area after removal
  5. Dispose of the tick safely by:
    1. Placing it in alcohol
    2. Sealing it in a bag/container
    3. Wrapping tightly in tape
    4. Flushing it down the toilet

The Big Picture:

Early detection and treatment of Lyme disease lead to excellent outcomes. Regular tick checks, proper use of repellents, and quick removal of ticks are the best ways to protect your child and family.