14.04.2025
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3 min reading 15 facts about ticks and their dangers: comments from a pediatrician
Do ticks really jump from trees, is it necessary to have a tick tested after a bite, and which antibiotics are contraindicated for pregnant women? Pediatrician Lidiya Babich answers all these pressing questions.
Lydia Babich
Children's doctor, pediatrician Center "Pediatrics with Love". About children's health, nutrition and GV, about vaccinations and a healthy lifestyle. Facebook, instagram.
1. Ticks can carry Borrelia, the causative agent of Lyme disease.
It is an unpleasant disease, but it is quite well treated with antibiotics.
2. Ticks don't jump from trees onto people!
It's safe to walk under an oak tree, but it's not worth sitting on the grass without repellent. It's in the grass that ticks live.
3. Do not submit the tick for analysis
Detection of Borrelia in a tick does not mean that the tick has infected you. Absence does not mean that you will not get sick. Analysis of the tick will not give anything. There is no need to take any tests after a bite. If nothing bothers you, live a normal life.
4. You don't need to take antibiotics if you have antibodies
You're not worried about anything, but you still took an antibody test. And oh my God, they're there. No, it doesn't mean you're sick. You don't need to take antibiotics.
5. The most common symptom of Lyme disease is erythema migrans.
Migratory not because it moves around the body, but because it increases in size. Usually this rash does not itch or hurt. Erythema does not always occur at the site of the bite. It can appear in several places at the same time.
Source: facebook.com/DoctorLidiaBabich
6. It's not a fact that you were bitten by one tick.
The one you found on your skin may not be the only tick in the entire forest. Therefore, the erythema may not appear where you removed the tick.
7. The time of appearance of erythema is 2-3 weeks after the tick bite.
A characteristic round spot may appear 2-3 weeks after the bite. Sometimes after 3-30 days. With this, go to the doctor!
8. Lyme disease has other symptoms
Sometimes erythema may not be present. Other symptoms of the disease:
- fever,
- neck pain,
- headache,
- fatigue,
- enlargement of lymph nodes,
- body pain,
- chills.
Be sure to consult a doctor to confirm the diagnosis!
Source: freepik
9. A tick bite can cause an allergic reaction
Sometimes swelling, itching, and redness occur immediately after a bite. This is an allergic reaction to the bite. This is not “instant Lyme disease.” You don’t need to take antibiotics right away. This local reaction goes away on its own after 1-2 days.
10. If there is already a typical rash, this is almost always a diagnosis
Sometimes the antibodies are “-“, but it still almost = diagnosis. Sometimes the antibodies are “+” in healthy people, and it is not Lyme disease.
11. Lyme disease treatment
Treatment is with doxycycline, amoxicillin, cefuroxime. The NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) protocol contains tables with regimens and dosages for different types of Lyme disease.
- The course of treatment is 21 days. Not 7 days, not 10, not 3 months.
- Doxycycline from 9-12 years old.
- Amoxicillin – up to 9 years.
- Ceftriaxone intravenously – in severe cases, with damage to the heart or central nervous system.
- Azithromycin, erythromycin – rarely, these are not first-line drugs. They are less effective. They are recommended only for confirmed allergies to amoxicillin, doxycycline.
During and after treatment, you do not need to retest antibodies! They can be “+” from 1 month to a year after recovery. Sometimes IgM does not change to IgG. This is normal, because it means that you are still sick and need a 3rd, 5th course of antibiotics.
Source: pixabay
12. Some symptoms may persist after antibiotic treatment
Fatigue, memory problems, and headaches can persist for 6 months or more. This is an analogy to “post-Covid” syndrome, not a chronic form of Lyme disease. Such a phenomenon does not exist.
13. There are recommendations for prophylactic use of doxycycline
It is taken once after a long stay of the tick on the body, more than 1 day. But in our Ukrainian. instructions for doxycycline there are restrictions - from 12 years. In addition, doxycycline is categorically contraindicated for pregnant women. The best option for preventing tick bites is repellents and appropriate clothing.
14. It is WRONG to take antibiotics without a diagnosis.
After any tick bite, it is very wrong to just immediately drink azithromycin for 5-7 days.
15. A pregnant woman has Lyme disease – it is not dangerous for the baby
A pregnant woman does not transmit the disease to the fetus. The pathogen is also not transmitted through breast milk. In treatment, amoxicillin does not penetrate into milk and is fully compatible with HB, and doxycycline is partially safe.
Have you encountered tick bites?
The editorial opinion may not coincide with the opinion of the author of the article.
Use of photos: Clause 4, Article 21 of the Law of Ukraine "On Copyright and Related Rights" - "Reproduction for the purpose of covering current events by means of photography or cinematography, public communication or communication of works seen or heard during such events, to the extent justified by the informational purpose."
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