Lyme disease

Lyme disease is caused by a bite from a tiny infected deer tick. This tick (about the size of a pin head) is found in wooded or grassy areas in Minnesota and Wisconsin. It can go unnoticed on your child's skin. If the tick bites your child, it can pass on a bacteria.

Symptoms of Lyme disease (not all may appear) are:

• red rash that looks like a target (with a clear center)
• fever
• joint and muscle aches, stiff neck
• headache
• sore throat.

Your child cannot pass on Lyme disease to others. If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to nerve, joint (arthritis) and heart problems.

How to treat Lyme disease

An antibiotic will help treat Lyme disease.

How to keep from getting Lyme disease

• Dress your child in a long-sleeved shirt and long pants if you are going to be hiking or in a wooded area.
• If possible, dress him in light-colored clothing to help make the ticks stand out.
• Check your child every night during the summer and early fall for ticks. The tick must be attached to your child for more than 24 hours to cause disease. Daily removal of ticks will prevent Lyme disease.
• Use insect repellent with DEET on your child when he is in mosquito and tick areas. It is mildly effective in preventing ticks from attacking to skin.