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Advice Wanted Re: Daughter's School Trip

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Posted 3/29/2018 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

My 11 year old daughter has had Lyme & Co since birth (gave it to her during pregnancy). We haven't been actively treating, but have been supportive measures for years. She eats clean and has low-toxin exposure, but because all of my kids have Lyme, plus me, we're treating the ones who are the worst because it's all we can afford. Since she's not being actively treated right now, her symptoms are are on the lower end in terms of being disruptive.

My daughter's school has a class trip to an "outdoor school" for 4 days in May, and I'm VERY nervous about letting her go. I went to the open house, and the main areas (where they sleep, eat, congregate, etc., seem relatively safe in terms of ticks (low grass, cement / dirt walkways), but they go on at least one hike per day, and I was unable to see the trails. They said most of the trails they hike on are more like fire roads, so that *might* be ok. They do spend a day down by a creek where the vegetation is rampant and unmanicured.

I'm terrified she'll go and get more infections from this trip and am very hesitant to let her go. But I want her to be able to participate and she really wants to go. I've considered using permethrin-treated clothes, but we really try and stay away from chemicals. I've asked my LLND and she said we could put her on some herbs, but of course, no matter what we do, I'm going to be worried.

Would you let your kid go?

Thanks!
Posted 3/29/2018 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
my son went on a day trip to a farm and he came home with 4 ticks attached to him. they looked like dog ticks but one might've been a deer tick.

called the principal and gave him an earful and of course he knew next to nothing about ticks and proceed to send me a few websites on tick exposure like that would educate me.

i threatened a lawsuit and went to the superintendent to get this farm trip removed from future class trips.

alas damage already done in terms of ticks attached to my son.

i will NOT let my children go on any of these trips to the woods because the supervision isn't trained or even think its important enough to be very cautious with looking out for ticks.

nope i wouldn't let her go especially since she's already compromised.
Posted 3/29/2018 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
I would say not, but it depends on the location and the weather. If you are in the northeast, April and May is the worst time of the year for ticks.

I went hiking in September when it hadn't rained for two or three weeks, and I sprayed myself with eucalyptus oil, and I was fine. I think the rain makes the ticks come out.

I've gone hiking many times at all times of the year and never found any ticks on me- but then I wasn't looking- so who knows what kind of bugs I missed. Stephen Buhner says taking astragulus prevents getting lyme, but since your daughter already has lyme, it probably wouldn't be a good idea.
Posted 3/29/2018 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
I don't believe in the "If it is a Dog Tick, you are safe" crap spewed by the CDC/IDSA . I think the bad tick attachment that got me was probably a Dog Tick, but may have been a Lone Star tick. They are very hard to tell apart.
Posted 3/29/2018 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
I've had lyme & co since 2015. My 11 year old son does not have lyme but he is going on a 3 day school trip to Maine in May. I'm very nervous about it but I know kids in our neighborhood that have gotten lyme right here at home. I plan on treating his clothes with permethrin & giving him Off or eucalyptus. Also apparently there is a shower schedule because there are 16 boys in each cabin and I told him to sign up for the shower before bed (if there is any unattached tick - it should come off). I'm going to email the school nurse who goes on the trip to ask what they do when a child finds a tick attached to them. They have run this trip for years & I'm sure there is a protocol in place. I also plan on talking to my neighbor whose young daughter has lyme & whose son without lyme went on this trip last year to see what she did to prepare for the trip. I will let you know.
Posted 3/29/2018 8:01 PM (GMT 0)

Missouri said...
I don't believe in the "If it is a Dog Tick, you are safe" crap spewed by the CDC/IDSA . I think the bad tick attachment that got me was probably a Dog Tick, but may have been a Lone Star tick. They are very hard to tell apart.

Well, it's thought that fleas, mosquitoes...etc may be able to transmit it...why the heck not a Dog tick?
Posted 3/29/2018 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I'm leaning towards saying no. I will most likely be quite stressed the entire 4 days, which is also not good for my infections. We are in CA, so in May it will probably be very warm and will likely not have rained in awhile.

I hear you about getting Lyme right in your own backyard; when my son was 4, he picked up a tick from the playground practically across the street from our house. I got it tested for Lyme and it was positive. So it's definitely possible. I just hate to increase her exposure, and I won't be there to do the tick checks, and she can't search her hair, in between her butt cheeks and all the places they like to hide.

I like the idea of showering at night, but I'm not sure what they're shower schedule is like.

Ugh, I'm so conflicted. Mainly because I just want to say no, but am trying to convince myself it will be ok because she really wants to go, and I want her to be able to participate with her class.
Posted 3/30/2018 8:22 AM (GMT 0)
check out dr frids kids wear its tick proof....i wouldnt deny my daughter from my fears...theres time later to lose socialization

Post Edited (bluelyme) : 3/30/2018 2:26:55 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/30/2018 9:45 AM (GMT 0)
I'd never heard of the product bluelyme mentioned, so I Googled it. Here's a link to the website:

DrFrid Kidswear | Insect Repellent Clothing
/www.drfrid.com

Thanks, bluelyme!
Posted 3/30/2018 10:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hard decisions for sure....but this can be an opportunity to enlighten others about taking preventative steps to prevent infection.

I would speak to the school or organizers of trip. Maybe they could have a meeting beforehand and explain to parents and children about preventive measures.

Make sure that staff contact Medical and parents immediately if child bitten.

Checking daily for ticks(especially behind ears, hairline, behind knees and other warm areas)
Wearing treated-light colored clothing
Tucking pants into socks and shirts
Tying hair up under a hat
Daily showers and recheck for ticks(scrub skin good)

Im sure there are more.

I wouldn't be entirely afraid of using Astragulus. You have a bit of time to see if your child tolerates it and build up the dose.

I have been using it with no issues . Everyone is different and if you can take it the benefit to your immune system is worth it.

At first when suffering with Lyme and co I thought I would never be able to enjoy the out doors again...but I have been able to hike and enjoy nature again.

We should enjoy our lives to the fullest when we can. Time is so short. Even though there are many dangers out there..

At least now we have the knowledge and power to make the correct choices and take preventive measures to lessen the chances of infection or reinfection.

For everyone that is treating or for your family members that are not infected...I would suggest a high priority focus on building yours and their immune systems up. This may be our greatest defense.

Post Edited (goshawk) : 3/30/2018 4:49:03 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/30/2018 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
Agree with Notime... How about taking 1000 mg Astragalus per day for prevention? Only folks with chronic Lyme should stay away from it due to a strong herx reaction. I had always headed that advise, but then tried a challenge test to check on my progress and had no reaction. Last Easter I had a tick attached just last that most likely came in with the cat, and immediately increased Astragalus to 3000 mg per day for 30 days. Now I stay on 1000 mg per day year round and may take a short break in mid-winter when ticks are less active here in New England.
Posted 3/30/2018 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone!

I'm glad you posted about the insect repellent clothing - I was looking at some, but it was going to cost over $200 to get stuff for 4 days. I like that this suit goes over her clothes, so she would just need one to wear when they're out hiking.

Definitely a lot to consider. I appreciate everyone's input, and I'm sure it will help in my decision-making.
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