THE TRUTH ABOUT TICK BITES AND LYME DISEASE
Many parents – particularly in those parts of the country where ticks are prevalent and children thus frequently exposed to them – have questions and concerns about their children contracting Lyme Disease. Let’s take a closer look at the truth about tick bites and Lyme Disease.
If my child has a tick bite, does that mean they have Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease, which is caused by a type of bacteria called a spirochete, can only be spread by the very tiny tick with the exotic name of “ixodes dammini.” The bad news is that these ticks are very hard to see. The good news is that only about 40% of these ticks are thought to be infected. Lyme disease is not spread by the larger wood ticks. Not every bite, even with an infected tick will result in infection.
How long does the tick have to be on the skin?
The duration of attachment is important and most experts feel that a tick has to be imbedded in the skin for more than 48 hours in order for the Lyme spirochete to be transmitted. If you are doing daily tick checks on your children, and you know that you have removed a tick within two days of attachment, it is unlikely that your child would contract Lyme disease from that tick bite.
The tick is swollen, what does that mean?
Degree of engorgement is another factor to consider. If the tick sac is engorged (swollen and visible to the eye) it is more likely that the spirochete has been transmitted. This engorgement takes a few days of being imbedded.
How do I remove the tick?
Using blunt curved forceps or tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible and pull upward with steady pressure. Try not to twist the tick so that only part is removed. Do not use bare hands to remove a tick. Clean the area with alcohol or antiseptic. Do not use Vaseline, nail polish, rubbing alcohol or matches to kill the tick.
“I didn’t get it all out!”
This is a common concern of parents. Do the best you can, but even if tiny tick parts remain imbedded, it is unlikely that infection will spread. There is no need to panic and rush a child to the Emergency Room for tick removal. The staff at your doctor’s office will advise you on what to do.
Does my child need antibiotics right away?
Although this area is somewhat controversial, most infectious disease experts do not advocate putting all children on antibiotics who have had a tick bite. The evidence is not conclusive that early treatment will prevent Lyme disease. The vast majority of children who contract Lyme disease probably acquired it from a tick that was never seen. Moreover, most children will have either the ECM rash or some symptoms consistent with Lyme disease in the early stages. If you find an engorged deer tick and are not sure if it has been attached for less than 48 hours, call your doctor’s office for a consult.
How can I prevent tick bites?
If you live in a Lyme-endemic area and it can be hard to avoid tick-infested areas as they are everywhere that your children live and play. And it is hard to have the kids in long pants tucked into socks in the hot summer. The advice is to cover as much as possible and spray clothing with permithin. This is marketed as Permanone Tick Repellent and can be found in lawn and garden stores and sporting goods stores, and some pharmacies.
Note: This is to be used as a clothing spray only and is not to be applied directly to the skin.
Insect repellent sprays, liquids and ointments (e.g. Off, Cutters, Repel) contain the ingredient DEET which is very effective against mosquitoes and ticks, but it can also be dangerous especially to small infants and children. Products with 10% or less of DEET can be used sparingly on ankles and wrists. Skedadle has a low concentration of DEET which is “time-released.”
Note: Products containing 50 to 100% DEET are available and are especially dangerous and should never be used on children. Ingestion of DEET can be fatal.
Avon Skin So Soft is safe and available as a lotion. It has been found to only protect for 10-30 minutes, however, and frequent reapplication is necessary. With no safe and effective repellent available yet, our best weapon is daily and compulsive tick checks at bath time. This, followed by prompt removal, is the best prevention we have against this difficult disease.
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