Lyme disease is an infection transmitted by the deer tick. For this infection to spread, the tick must first bite an animal--often a mouse--that is infected with the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, a type of bacteria. This bacteria is spread when the contaminated tick later bites a child. Untreated Lyme disease can lead to serious complications, making it important for parents to recognize the symptoms.
Bulls-Eye Rash
The tick bite on a child may appear as a small, red bump. It is often found in an area where the tick had an opportunity to press against something in order to gain entry into the skin, such as beneath a waistband, behind the knee or in the groin area. Within a few days, a rash may develop that resembles a bulls-eye. The red place in the center will be surrounded by a white area which is further circled by another reddened area, according to the Mayo Clinic. The entire rash area may be small or quite large. Some children with Lyme disease do not develop a noticeable rash. Untreated, this rash often lasts for about a month.
Fever
A fever often develops within weeks of the tick bite. It may be accompanied by chills, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes. Severe tiredness may be present and the child may not feel like going to school or going out to play. These symptoms may last for a few weeks. In some children, the symptoms may last for months.
Headache
The child may experience a mild headache during the weeks she has a fever. Some children, however, will develop severe headaches with neck stiffness, dizziness, backache, excessive sleepiness, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light. Children sent to school with this severe headache often have trouble remembering what they learn. The headache may resolve over a few weeks or it may continue until treatment is sought.
Joint Inflammation
Other symptoms of untreated Lyme disease include joint swelling and pain. While this may happen in any joint, it is more common in the knees or wrists. The pain may move from one joint to another.
Chest Pain
The Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey explains that older children often complain of chest pain. Children of any age may experience the sensation of the heart pounding in the chest. These are usually late symptoms that occur only when the infection goes untreated for weeks.
Other Late Symptoms
A variety of other symptoms may be noted in the absence of treatment. Unfortunately, some children have problems from Lyme disease long after the infection is gone. Some late symptoms are sore eyes; partial paralysis of the face; numbness or tingling of the arms, hands, legs or feet; memory problems; sore throat and a rash on the face.
