Kids, Lyme, and Antibiotics
Is it just me, or does it seem like ticks and Lyme disease are more prevalent now than when I was a kid back in the late 80s and early 90s? My brother and I used to roam the woods behind our house without even a thought of checking for ticks. Now, my kids pick up ticks playing in the mowed grass! I also know a handful of people just this year diagnosed with Lyme.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that spreads to humans through infected blacklegged ticks. Typically, a tick must be embedded for 36-48 hours before it can transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme, Borrelia burgdorferi. One key to preventing Lyme disease is to remove ticks within 24 hours. That can be tricky when it comes to kids.
Kids
Children are at risk for Lyme disease just like adults, especially if they spend time outdoors in areas where infected ticks are common. Their risk can be higher because they may not notice when they have a tick and let an adult know so they can remove it.
I know that the last thing we want to do at the end of a long trail day is check for ticks. However, making sure no one is carrying a tick to bed is well worth it. You’ll have to help your littlest kids by checking them thoroughly. Older kids can help each other check. Or, if they are uncomfortable with that, let them use a hand mirror to check places they can’t see. If no one in the family has yet seen a tick in real life, look up photos online, so they know what to look for. I usually also pile everyone’s laundry in together from our hike, camping trip, what-have-you, and put it directly into the wash.
Lyme
The most common test used to diagnose Lyme disease is the ELISA test. The initials stand enzyme-linked immunoassay. It does not test for the presence of the bacteria itself, but looks for antibodies that you have produced in response to it. A Western blot test is usually done to confirm a diagnosis of Lyme. This test works the same way. False negatives happen when the body has not produced antibodies, or enough antibodies to show up on the test.
The symptoms of Lyme vary depending on the stage of infection. The early symptoms can appear within a few days to a few weeks after being bitten by an infected tick. These are headache, fever, fatigue, and a characteristic rash that looks like a bull’s-eye. The rash can appear anywhere, not necessarily at the site of the tick bite. Later stage symptoms can include joint pain and swelling, heart palpitations, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
Antibiotics
Doxycycline is a common treatment for Lyme. It can cause stomach upset as a side effect. Another well-known side effect is photosensitivity, which means your skin is extra-sensitive to sunlight. You’ll have to greatly limit your sun exposure while taking the medicine. Another lesser-known side effect is tooth weakening and discoloration. Doctors may be reluctant to prescribe this medicine to kids for this reason. Your dentist can work with your doctor to determine if your teeth are healthy enough to take doxycycline. But any brownish yellow color on your teeth or gum soreness should be reported right away. If you or your child can’t take doxycycline, it’s likely that the doctor will prescribe amoxicillin or ceftriaxone.
Wrapping Up
Preventing Lyme disease involves using bug spray and diligently checking for ticks during the spring, summer, and even early autumn. If symptoms of Lyme appear, seek medical care right away. I hope this post is helpful for a healthy season for everyone!