Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Kids
If your child has symptoms of Lyme disease, it’s important to have your child tested for it as early as possible. This way, you can take steps to prevent it. The first thing to do is to protect your child from tick bites. Wear protective clothing and avoid areas with long grass and low bushes. You can also keep your dog on a leash and apply insect repellent whenever you are out in the yard. If you find a tick on your child, don’t touch it to avoid contact with your child’s eyes.
What are the three signs of Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is contracted from the bite of an infected deer tick. While the disease doesn’t spread very far from the person who was bitten, certain precautions must be taken to prevent infection. The first step is to remove the tick as soon as possible. The sooner the tick is removed, the higher the chance that the child will not have Lyme disease.
The symptoms of Lyme disease usually occur within three to 30 days after the tick bite. These can be an initial red rash, followed by smaller, more subtle rashes three to five weeks after the tick bite. If these symptoms persist, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Symptoms of Lyme disease may include a stiff neck and mental confusion.
How are kids tested for Lyme disease?
A physician will perform tests on a child to determine if they have Lyme disease. The tests look for antibodies that the body makes in response to infection. While the test can give a false-negative result, it is an important first step in the diagnosis. Most doctors will look for hallmark symptoms of the illness in a child before running the test.
If a child develops symptoms, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to treat the infection. In some cases, the antibiotic can cure the condition, but it is not always safe and may not work for every case. Antibiotics can only be effective if they are given within 72 hours of exposure. In addition, they may not be safe for children younger than eight years of age.
Is Lyme disease curable if caught early?
It is important to see a doctor for the first signs of Lyme disease. It causes red, itchy rashes on the skin and can also affect the brain. In some cases, it may lead to brain fog or swollen lymph nodes. In later stages, the disease may spread to other parts of the body, including the joints. In such cases, it can progress to arthritis.
If your child becomes infected with the disease, your doctor can prescribe an antibiotic to help prevent future recurrence of the disease. These antibiotics will only help if you catch them early. The symptoms of Lyme disease will last for several weeks or even more.
What to do if you find a tick on your child?
If you find a tick on your child, the first step to preventing illness is to remove it. Use tweezers to carefully remove the tick from your child’s skin. Avoid squeezing the tick as it may release toxins into the child’s blood. Also, do not twist or jerk the tick to get it off.
After removing the tick from your child’s skin, you should wash the area with soap and antiseptic lotion. If the tick has been attached to clothing, you should take your child to a healthcare provider who can safely remove it for you. In the meantime, you can safely wash your child’s clothes with hot water, and then call your healthcare provider for follow-up care.
Ticks live on people and pets, and they can attach to your child’s skin in many places. Common locations for them to attach are the hairline and scalp, the armpits, behind the knees, and the waist. Ticks can attach to your child’s body any time of year. It is best to check your child’s body before bathtime to make sure there are no ticks on them.
Is there a cure for Lyme disease in children?
The main treatment for Lyme disease in children is an antibiotic medicine. It is taken about 14 days to eliminate the bacteria. Children who receive prompt treatment with antibiotics are usually cured of the disease. Unfortunately, delayed treatment can lead to late-stage Lyme disease. In this case, a child may need a longer course of antibiotics or even be given intravenous antibiotics.
Blood tests are often used to confirm Lyme disease in children. They are more accurate if the infection has been ongoing for more than two weeks. If the first test comes back negative, the doctor may order a second test. Antibiotics for Lyme disease in children may include amoxicillin and cefuroxime axetil. Children with Lyme disease should take all of their prescribed antibiotics and get plenty of rest.
