Robyn's Nest-The Parenting Network-Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease

As we move outdoors this spring, be aware of the threat of Lyme Disease. While the ailment's origin was discovered in (Old Lyme) Connecticut, the ticks that carry Lyme Disease are found all over the United States and other countries. Lyme Disease is carried by deer ticks in the northeast and north-central U.S. While in the southern and western U.S. the black legged tick is the culprit. The disease becomes very widespread in the spring and summer months when these ticks become active.

The Centers for Disease Control report there was a 70% increase in the number of reported cases of the tick-borne illness between 1992 and 1998, from about 10,000 cases per year to almost 17,000. Ninety-two percent of the cases occurred in only ten states -- New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Delaware.

Youngsters aged 5- to 9-years-old and adults aged 45- to 54-years-old are most likely to be diagnosed with the disease.

Lyme disease is characterized by:

fatigue
chills and fever
headache
muscle and joint pain
swollen lymph nodes
a characteristic skin rash, called erythema migrans (bulls-eye rash)

Erythema migrans is a red circular patch that appears usually 3 days to 1 month after the bite of an infected tick at the site of the bite. The patch then expands, often to a large size. Sometimes many patches appear, varying in shape, depending on their location. Common sites are the thigh, groin, trunk, and the armpits. The center of the rash may clear as it enlarges, resulting in a bulls-eye appearance. The rash may be warm, but it usually is not painful.
Not all rashes that occur at the site of a tick bite are due to Lyme disease, however. For example, an allergic reaction to tick saliva often occurs at the site of a tick bite. The resulting rash can be confused with the rash of Lyme disease. Allergic reactions to tick saliva usually occur within hours to a few days after the tick bite, usually do not expand, and disappear within a few days.

The signs and symptoms of Lyme Disease mimic other ailments making it very difficult to diagnose. Antibiotics can eradicate the bacteria and prevent long-term problems if started early enough.

Personal Protection:

Ticks like to rest on low-lying brush and 'catch a ride' on a passing animal or person. The areas that hold a high risk of tick infestation are wooded areas, low-growing grassland, and the seashore. You should exercise caution where you go.

Avoid tick infested areas, when possible Avoid short-cuts through heavily wooded, tick-infested areas.
Use caution when you are entering tick-infected areas. Stay in the center of paths, avoid sitting on the ground, and conduct frequent tick-checks.
Use EPA-approved tick repellents.
During the summer months, it can be inconvenient to wear pants and long-sleeved clothing, so using repellents can help protect yourself from ticks. Wash off the repellents when you return inside, and children should always have an adult apply the repellent for them.
Dress properly
Wear light-colored clothing. This allows you to more easily see ticks on your clothing and gives you the opportunity to remove them before they can attach to your skin and feed.
Wear a hat and a long-sleeved shirt for added protection.
Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. This reduces the skin area exposed to ticks. Also, tuck your shirt into your pants and pants into your socks. This keeps the ticks on the outside of your clothing and thwarts their efforts to crawl onto your skin. However, during warm or hot weather, this is not practical. So, if this advice is ignored, we suggest that you increase your vigilance in conducting tick-checks.
Conduct frequent tick-checks.
This includes a visual inspection of the clothing and exposed skin, followed by a naked, full-body examination in a private location. Be sure to check the scalp, behind and in the ears, and behind any joints.
Remember to check your pets too!
This is not only for your pets' safety but for your family's as well. Pets can bring ticks in from outside and put you and your family at risk for infection.

Vaccination should be considered for persons aged 15-70 years who live in areas of moderate to high risk for Lyme disease and have frequent or prolonged contact with tick habitat.

Lyme disease and pregnancy

In rare cases, Lyme disease acquired during pregnancy may lead to infection of the fetus and possibly to stillbirth, but adverse effects to the fetus have not been conclusively documented.

Should you find a tick on your child, removal of the tick within 24 hours will greatly reduce the chance of contracting Lyme Disease.

Contact your pediatrician if:

Your child has any of the symptoms listed above and has had a recent tick bite.
You remove a tick and the head stays beneath the skin.
The bite site becomes red and infected
You suspect that your child was bitten by a deer tick or a black legged tick.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is characterized by:

Personal Protection:

Lyme disease and pregnancy

Contact your pediatrician if:

Related Articles How to Remove a Tick Safely Lyme Disease Links LDF Update 2003 and International Conference Landscape Modification Children's Health

Related Articles
How to Remove a Tick Safely
Lyme Disease Links
LDF Update 2003 and International Conference
Landscape Modification
Children's Health