Lyme disease is an infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacteria also found in animals like deer and mice. Ticks that feed on these animals, like deer ticks and black-legged ticks, then spread the bacteria through bites. Almost every state in the U.S. has reported incidents of Lyme disease, with infections spiking during spring and summer. As a parent, it’s imperative that you know what symptoms to look for, so you can give your child the urgent care they need.

Signs of Lyme Disease That Require Urgent Care

First Stage

If urgent care is not administered within 30 days of a tick bite, children with Lyme disease will develop erythema migrans, or bulls-eye rash. This ring-shaped rash has a pink center, with a deeper red color on the surrounding skin. It's usually flat, rarely painful, and is sometimes mistaken for other skin problems like hives or eczema. Children could also exhibit flu-like symptoms in the early stages of the infection. They might experience fatigue, low-grade fever, headache, sore throat, stiff neck, and poor appetite. These symptoms, however, can be cured with antibiotics.

Second Stage

If Lyme disease remains undiagnosed and untreated, the bacteria will enter the child's bloodstream after several weeks and move to other tissues in the body. Rashes and symptoms similar to the flu will still manifest. However, children could suffer facial nerve palsy and myopericarditis, or the inflammation of the heart.

Third Stage

Arthritis is the most common third stage symptom. Large joints will become swollen and tender. Anti-inflammatory medicine can ease this symptom, and it will eventually get better. However, it might reappear in a different joint. Patients could also develop memory and speech problems.

Knowing the symptoms of this disease will help you recognize it in your kids. Children with Lyme disease require urgent care at facilities like Orange Beach Walk-In Medical Care. The clinic, located in Baldwin, AL, offers a wide variety of services, including family medicine and emergency care service. You can check out their website to learn more, or call them at (251) 964-7425 to make an appointment.