No parent wants to hear “Ok lets treat him for LYME DISEASE – yes that looks like a TICK Bite!” My son came home the other day and I noticed he had a bite mark on his leg after I gave him his bath. Putting him to bed I asked him if something bit him and he thought something had. The next day my husband said “Ok we are taking him to the Clinic to get checked”. I was a little nervous and had a knot in my stomach as I had a sneaking suspicion he may have had a tick bite, as the pictures I saw online looked very similar and we are exposed to high risk areas where we vacation.
Upon inspecting his upper thigh where he had this rash the Doctor kinda of cringed when he saw it and began asking us if we where in an area recently where there is a high risk of ticks. Sadly we had to answer yes. We boat in an area in Lake Erie where there are signs posted in Turkey Point & Long Point. Risk of Lyme Disease due to Tick Bites. I quiver every time we drive by these signs and think how terrible it would be to be in contact with these creatures. I remember watching a documentary years ago about how a women became very ill and could not be diagnosed as to what was causing her failing health and it was undetected Lyme Disease as in some cases it can be very tricky to diagnose.
Noah is taking penicillin antibiotics for 3 weeks (3 times a day). The doctor suggested any other symptoms appearing (fever, muscle ache, joint stiffness to name a few) take him to the hospital immediately. He said he is to be reassessed by his family doctor in 3 weeks.
One scary fact which we didn’t know is the rash (bullseye is the term), doesn’t always appear immediately, it can take up to 1 month to appear. This is the case with Noah we where not at the boat for several weeks, so it probably took him a couple of weeks to appear on his body. The doctor said to check kids full body after playing in areas where there is high risk of exposure to ticks.
My “Mom Tip” is to seek immediate attention if they develop any type of rash in the next month after possible exposure. I guess we have to go thru these things as Mom’s to help educate other parents along the way.
Lyme disease
Medical Specialties: Cardiology, Neurology
Lyme disease is a vector-driven infectious disease caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium from the bite of a tick. The majority of cases present with acute signs and symptoms as the body mounts an immune response, including the hallmark erythema migrans rash (it looks like a target) which occurs within one month of the bite. Bacteria spread throughout the body via the lymphatic system, which gives rise to varied, systemic symptoms.
A bull’s eye rash is the hallmark sign of Lyme disease, which is caused by bacteria from a tick bite. While the majority of patients (as many as 80 percent) exhibit this classic rash, some do not. Many experience flu-like symptoms, fatigue or painful, swollen joints, but some do not. The disease (first traced and publicized in Lyme, Conn.), can cause nerve, heart and joint problems, especially if it goes untreated. Symptoms from Lyme disease may continue for months or even years in some cases. Awareness and early treatment are crucial.
I am sure Mr. Noah will be just fine, as he is being treated and not showing any other symptoms. One positive note to share with parents who may be scared of this happening to them. I read that is highly unlikely alot of ticks carry the disease, so the chances of developing the disease are slim. OK – “you people who wrote that better be right!”
My Noah is a very active, (did I mention very active), 4 year old ready to start taking the school bus to Kindergarten in a few weeks with Big Sis! Stay tuned for his Kindergarten and Back to School adventures………..
Talk soon ~
Nancy
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