Lyme Science Blog

Facial Palsy in Children: When It’s Lyme Disease—Not Bell’s Palsy A child’s face suddenly droops. It’s often called Bell’s palsy. But in Lyme regions, that may be the wrong diagnosis. Facial palsy Lyme disease children is a common but often underrecognized presentation in endemic areas. A child who suddenly develops facial drooping is frequently diagnosed […]

PANS-, PANDAS-, and OCD-like Symptoms in Children With Lyme Disease Sudden anxiety or OCD-like symptoms may appear Often mistaken for primary psychiatric conditions Infections may play a role in some children Some children with Lyme disease develop sudden behavioral or psychiatric symptoms resembling PANS or PANDAS, including anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating.

Can Lyme Disease Cause Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children? Stomach symptoms aren’t typical—but they can occur Often linked to autonomic nervous system involvement Symptoms may be missed when testing appears normal Lyme disease can cause gastrointestinal symptoms in children, particularly when the infection affects the nervous system or contributes to dysautonomia. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} Although abdominal pain is

When Lyme Arthritis in Children Is Mistaken for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis When Lyme arthritis in children is mistaken for juvenile idiopathic arthritis, diagnosis and treatment can be delayed. Both conditions can present with swollen joints, minimal pain, and few systemic symptoms. Because the clinical features overlap, children living in Lyme-endemic areas may initially receive a

Herxheimer Reaction in Lyme Disease: What Happens After Treatment Starts Symptoms may worsen after treatment begins This reaction is temporary but concerning Recognizing it prevents misdiagnosis Quick Answer: A Herxheimer reaction in Lyme disease is a temporary inflammatory response that occurs after starting antibiotics. Symptoms such as fever, chills, and worsening pain can appear within

POTS in children with Lyme disease may present with dizziness, fatigue, brain fog, palpitations, and school difficulty. These symptoms are often overlooked as anxiety or behavioral problems rather than autonomic dysfunction.

Recognizing Early Lyme Disease Symptoms in Children Early Lyme disease symptoms in children are often subtle. Behavioral changes, fatigue, rash, or joint swelling may appear gradually. Recognizing patterns over time may help identify Lyme disease earlier. Over the years in clinical practice I have evaluated a number of adolescents and children with suspected Lyme disease,