![]() ![]() ![]() Blood tests are most effective two to six weeks after a tick bite when the body’s immune system has time to react.Ĭhildren tested within a few days of a tick bite may be “negative” for antibodies, yet still have the bacterium growing in them just not yet at measureable levels. If your child has symptoms of Lyme disease but no indication of a tick bite, your child’s doctor may order blood tests to determine if your child’s immune system is producing specific antibodies to fight the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium. living in or traveling to areas where the ticks are found). In most cases, Lyme disease is diagnosed based on your child’s symptoms, a physical examination, and a history of exposure to blacklegged ticks (i.e. Shooting pain, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet.Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath.Heart palpitations or an irregular heart beat ( Lyme carditis).Intermittent pain in muscles, joints, tendons and bones.The loss of muscle tone or a droop on one or both sides of the face (called facial of Bell’s palsy).Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly in the knees and other large joints.Additional circular, “bull’s-eye” rashes on other areas of the body.If the infection spreads to other parts of the body, your child may experience additional symptoms such as: Can disappear and then return several weeks later.Can itch or feel hot, or may not be felt at all.Can mimic skin problems such as hives, eczema, sunburn, poison ivy, or flea bites.Can be very small or very large (up to 12 inches across).It can be pink or clear in the center and red on the surrounding skin. A circular-shaped, “bull’s-eye” rash called erythema migrans.If left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, potentially causing long-term medical issues and permanent damage.Ĭommon symptoms of Lyme disease within the first 30 days after a tick bite include: Symptoms can also change over time, making diagnosis more challenging. Once infected with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium, your child may display a range of nonspecific symptoms that mimic other conditions. Blacklegged ticks are most often found in wooded and grassy areas, but can be transported by animals to other areas.īy using insect repellents, wearing clothes that cover exposed body parts, and washing, inspecting, and removing any ticks from your child’s skin promptly, you can help prevent tick bites and the potential of developing Lyme disease. in 1977, in Old Lyme, CT, giving the disease its name. Lyme disease was first reported in the U.S. The north central states of Wisconsin and Minnesota. ![]() The mid-Atlantic states (Virginia to New Jersey).Blacklegged ticks are very common in certain areas in the United States including: It is transmitted by the bite of blacklegged tick (or deer tick, Ixodes scapularis).īlacklegged ticks can be as small as a poppy seed, making it extremely difficult to spot them on the body. Lyme disease is a multistage, multisystem bacterial infection caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium. ![]()
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