Symptoms:

Children with tick paralysis develop an unsteady gait (ataxia) followed several days later by weakness in the lower legs that gradually moves up to involve the upper limbs.

Paralysis may cause breathing difficulties, which may require the use of a breathing machine.

The child may also have mild, flu-like symptoms (muscle aches, tiredness).

Signs and tests:

The person will have been exposed to ticks in some way. For example, he or she may have been on a recent camping trip, live in a tick-infested area, or have dogs or other animals that can pick up ticks. Often the tick is found only after thoroughly searching the person's hair.

Finding a tick embedded in the skin and noting above symptoms confirms the diagnosis. No other testing is required.

Treatment:

Removing the tick removes the source of the neurotoxin. Recovery is rapid following the removal of the tick.

Expectations (prognosis):

Full recovery is expected following the removal of the tick.

Complications:

• Respiratory failure

Calling your health care provider:

If your child suddenly becomes unsteady or weak, have the child examined promptly. Breathing difficulties require emergency care.

Prevention:

Use insect repellents and protective clothing when out in tick-infested areas. Carefully check the skin after being outside and remove any ticks.

As a rule, if children are discovered to have ticks, it is a good idea to write the information down and keep it for several months. Many tick-borne diseases do not show symptoms immediately, and the incident may be forgotten by the time a child becomes sick with a tick-borne disease.