AAP PARENTING CORNER Q & A: LYME DISEASE

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Lyme Disease

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is an infection caused by a bacteria called a spirochete. The disease is spread to humans by the bites of deer ticks infected with this bacteria. Deer ticks are tiny black-brown creatures. They live in forests or grassy, wooded, marshy areas near rivers, lakes, or oceans. Many people who have been infected with Lyme disease were bitten by deer ticks while hiking or camping, during other outdoor activities, or even while spending time in their own backyards, from the late spring to early fall.

Symptoms

The first and most obvious symptom of Lyme disease is a rash that begins as a pink or red circle several inches in diameter. This is where your child was bitten. It may appear from 3 to 30 days after the bite occurred and expand over time. Some people may have a single circle, while others may have many. Most people who develop the rash won't feel anything, but for others the rash may hurt, itch, burn, or feel warm to the touch. The rash most commonly appears on the head, neck, groin, thighs, trunk, and armpits.

Along with the rash, other symptoms may include

Headache
Chills
Fever
Fatigue
Swollen glands, usually in the neck or groin
Aches and pains in the muscles or joints

If your child develops the rash with or without any of these symptoms, call your pediatrician.

Treatment

Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics (usually penicillin, a cephalosporin, or a tetracycline) prescribed by your pediatrician.

Prevention

If you live or work in a region where Lyme disease is a problem, or if you visit such an area, the following are ways to protect your family from the ticks that carry the disease:

Avoid places where ticks live. Whenever possible, avoid shaded, moist areas likely to be infested with ticks.
Cover arms and legs. Have your child wear a long-sleeved shirt and tuck his pants into his socks.
Wear a hat to help keep ticks away from the scalp. Keep long hair pulled back.
Wear light-colored clothing to make it easier to spot ticks.
Wear enclosed shoes or boots. Avoid wearing sandals in an area where ticks may live.
Use insect repellent. Products with DEET are effective against ticks and can be used on the skin. However, large amounts of DEET can be harmful to your child if it is absorbed through the skin. Look for products that contain no more than 30% DEET. Wash the DEET off with soap and water when your child returns indoors. Products with permethrin can be used on clothing, but cannot be applied to the skin.
Stay on cleared trails whenever possible. Avoid wandering from a trail or brushing against overhanging branches or shrubs.
After coming indoors, check for ticks. This will only take a couple minutes. Ticks often hide behind the ears or along the hairline. It usually takes more than 48 hours for a person to become infected with the bacteria, so removing any ticks soon after they have attached themselves is very effective for reducing the chances of becoming infected.

Keep in mind, ticks can be found right in your own backyard, depending on where you live. Keeping your yard clear of leaves, brush, and tall grass may reduce the number of ticks. Ask a licensed professional pest control expert about other steps you can take to reduce ticks in your yard.

Parents can find more information on this topic in Caring for Your School-Age Child: Ages 5 to 12. To order a copy of this book visit the AAP Bookstore.

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The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

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