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Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged tick, is increasingly common in the United States. While adults can often recognize and articulate the symptoms of Lyme, children may not be as aware of changes in their health, making early detection and treatment more challenging. Unfortunately, this can lead to long-term complications if Lyme disease is not addressed promptly. As a parent, it’s essential to be Lyme-literate when it comes to your child's health.
At Sierra Integrative Medical Center, we specialize in treating Lyme disease holistically, and we are deeply committed to raising awareness of Lyme in children.
However, it’s important to note that, as Sierra Integrative Medical Center is not a pediatric center, we treat patients under 16 only with prior approval from a doctor. In these cases, we request a brief overview of the child’s situation to ensure that Sierra Integrative Medical Center is equipped to provide the best and safest care possible, with a minimum age requirement of 12.
In this post, we’ll cover how to recognize the signs of Lyme disease in children, common misdiagnoses, and effective treatment options.
Lyme disease in children is frequently misdiagnosed for a number of reasons. First, its symptoms often mimic other common childhood conditions such as the flu, viral infections, or growing pains. Second, young children may not fully understand how to communicate what they’re feeling, making it harder for parents to pinpoint the issue.
Additionally, the classic bull’s-eye rash, while a hallmark symptom of Lyme disease, only appears in a portion of cases. Studies show that up to 30% of patients with Lyme disease never develop a rash at all, meaning many cases go undetected.
It’s important for parents to be aware of the symptoms of Lyme disease, which can vary greatly from child to child. Symptoms may appear shortly after a tick bite, or they may take weeks or even months to surface. Common early symptoms include:
As the disease progresses, untreated Lyme disease can lead to more severe symptoms,
including neurological issues such as facial palsy (Bell’s palsy), nerve pain, or even heart complications. Early detection is critical to prevent these advanced symptoms.
If you suspect that your child has been bitten by a tick or is showing symptoms of Lyme disease, it’s important to act quickly. Here’s what you should do:
After outdoor activities, particularly in wooded or grassy areas, check your child’s skin for ticks. Pay special attention to warm, hidden areas like the scalp, behind the ears, underarms, and groin.
Keep a record of any unusual symptoms your child exhibits, such as joint pain, fever, or behavioral changes. Noting when these symptoms started and how they’ve progressed can be helpful for your healthcare provider.
Many healthcare providers may not be familiar with the complexities of Lyme disease, especially in children. At Sierra Integrative Medical Center, we offer a Lyme-literate approach that includes detailed diagnostic evaluations and personalized treatment plans.
Diagnosing Lyme disease can be difficult, as many traditional tests for Lyme, like the two-tiered ELISA and Western blot, can produce false negatives, especially in the early stages of infection. In children, this adds another layer of complexity to diagnosis.
At Sierra Integrative Medical Center, we take a more comprehensive approach to diagnosing Lyme in children by considering both clinical symptoms and specialized diagnostic tests, such as:
By combining clinical expertise with advanced testing, we aim to catch Lyme disease early, before it can cause long-term damage.
Treating Lyme disease in children requires a careful, individualized approach. The treatment protocol will depend on how early the disease is caught and whether your child is dealing with acute Lyme disease or has progressed to a chronic form of the illness. Our Lyme-literate treatment options include:
For early-stage Lyme disease, a course of antibiotics is typically the first line of treatment. Common antibiotics include amoxicillin, doxycycline (for children over the age of 8), or cefuroxime. However, antibiotic treatment must be carefully monitored, as Lyme disease can persist even after the initial infection is treated.
At Sierra Integrative Medical Center, we believe that a holistic approach is essential to fully address Lyme disease, especially in children whose bodies are still developing. Our integrative treatments include:
Ticks often carry more than just Lyme bacteria. Co-infections like Bartonella, Babesia, and Ehrlichia can complicate Lyme disease treatment and may require additional therapies. At Sierra Integrative Medical Center, we conduct thorough testing for co-infections and offer treatments designed to address these complex infections.
Preventing Lyme disease is always the best course of action. While it’s not always possible to avoid tick exposure, there are several steps you can take to reduce your child’s risk:
Apply EPA-approved insect repellent on your child’s skin and clothing before they play outdoors, particularly in wooded or grassy areas.
Have your child wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes when spending time in areas known for ticks. Tuck pants into socks for extra protection.
After outdoor activities, conduct a full-body tick check. Promptly remove any attached ticks using fine-tipped tweezers.
At Sierra Integrative Medical Center, we are committed to providing Lyme-literate care for children. Our specialized team understands the unique challenges that Lyme disease poses to young patients, and we offer a range of integrative therapies designed to address the root causes of Lyme, support your child’s immune system, and promote long-term health.
We work closely with families to ensure that every aspect of your child’s care is addressed, from early diagnosis to comprehensive treatment plans that go beyond just antibiotics. With our patient-centered approach, we focus on helping your child regain their health and vitality.
If you suspect your child may have Lyme disease, or if they’ve been struggling with unexplained symptoms that traditional doctors have been unable to diagnose, contact Sierra Integrative Medical Center today. We’re here to help your child get the care they deserve and get back to enjoying life to the fullest.
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We’re now accepting new patients to our freestanding outpatient clinic in Reno, Nevada. Contact us at 775-828-5388 today to schedule your initial consultation, or to find out how our integrative medicine doctors can help treat your condition!
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