A four-year-old girl from West Virginia has made a miraculous recovery after contracting tick paralysis, a rare and life-threatening condition caused by a neurotoxin released by certain ticks. Madeline Tuckwiller’s family went on a camping trip to celebrate Mother’s Day, but their weekend turned into panic when she woke up paralyzed and unable to walk.
The condition, also known as tick-induced paralysis, is caused by the saliva of certain tick species, including the Rocky Mountain wood tick. It can cause weakness, paralysis, loss of coordination, and difficulty breathing, typically occurring two to seven days after a tick bite.
Madeline’s family took her to the emergency department, where doctors found a dime-sized tick latched onto her head. After removing the tick, Madeline began to show signs of improvement within four hours. Her doctors also administered doxycycline, an antibiotic, to reduce the risk of Lyme disease, another tick-borne illness.
While rare, tick paralysis can be deadly if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Doctors say that early diagnosis and removal of the tick can reverse paralysis and lead to a complete recovery within 24 hours. However, if left untreated, it can cause respiratory failure and death.
Madeline’s family is now vigilant about checking for ticks and urges other parents to do the same, especially when spending time outdoors with children. The American dog tick and Rocky Mountain wood tick are most commonly associated with this condition in North America.
Symptoms of tick paralysis include weakness, paralysis beginning in the legs, loss of coordination, difficulty breathing, and paralysis of the respiratory muscles. If you suspect your child has been bitten by a tick, it’s essential to monitor their symptoms closely and seek medical attention promptly.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14739641/Girl-paralyzed-one-insect-bite-signs.html