topic Re: Tick help please in Wellness

Tick help please

Abrowneyegirl — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 01:56:56 GMT

So I found a tick on me (insert ugh frowny face)

No idea how, not out doing yardwork or hiking, just packing our house and unpacking boxes as we are moving.

But as I was changing I noticed a tick walking on my arm!!!

I have a tiny spot that looks like I may have been bitten but the tick was not attatched to me.

I would like to have the tick tested.

Has anyone sent a tick off to be tested?

Any comments or insights would be appreciated.

Re: Tick help please

lavenderfields — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 02:04:47 GMT

I could be incorrect, but I think if the tick had bitten you it would be attatched to your skin. They start sucking and don't let go.

Re: Tick help please

Caffeina — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 02:06:09 GMT

https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/blog/step-by-step-what-to-do-when-you-find-a-tick-on-yourself

Re: Tick help please

Foxxee — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 11:42:38 GMT

I found one on the back of my neck below my hairline. It was not engorged and came away very easily, so I suspected it hadn't been attached.

Since I figured it had been in my house about a week, I thought it could have been on my dog and dropped off, then crawled on me. The vet couldn't identify the type of tick. Tests don't show anything until symptoms appear...about a month. He put her on an antibiotic.

My doctor couldn't identity the type of tick, either. Asked to be put on an antibiotic even though the tick hadn't been attached. Wasn't taking any chances. Didn't want to wait a day let alone a month.

Re: Tick help please

newagain888888 — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 02:15:05 GMT

https://whatislyme.com/tickchek-how-to-test-a-tick-for-lyme-disease/

1-866-713-8425

https://www.tickcheck.com/order?ref=whatislyme

Re: Tick help please

Abrowneyegirl — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 02:19:34 GMT

@newagain888888 wrote:
https://whatislyme.com/tickchek-how-to-test-a-tick-for-lyme-disease/
1-866-713-8425

https://www.tickcheck.com/order?ref=whatislyme

Which one did you use?

Re: Tick help please

Abrowneyegirl — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 02:21:40 GMT

@Foxxee

Yes you do not want to wait until sx appear and it is too soon to test me, so that is why you test the tick.

Re: Tick help please

Foxxee — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 03:01:19 GMT

@Abrowneyegirl

My vet and doctor didn't suggest testing the tick.

Re: Tick help please

newagain888888 — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 02:43:28 GMT

I had a very similar situation a few years ago, and wanted to test the tick. It was a lone star, one of the worst for carrying a multitude of diseases. Unfortunately, my doctor felt it would be better to wait: that just because the tick carried illnesses, it didn’t mean I would become ill. (Bad advice.) Doxycycline is a good preventative antibiotic to get from your doctor now. It should prevent lyme and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Re: Tick help please

Carmie — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 02:48:41 GMT

When ticks bite, they must be embedded under your skin. To spread Lyme Disease they must be embedded for more than a few minutes. It takes hours.

Quite a few years ago, I found one below my shoulder blade while bathing. I asked my husband to remove it. He did, but I didn't feel like he got the whole thing, so I called the doctor.

When I went into the office, he looked at my shoulder and said it was all gone. I told him that he was an old man like my DH and couldn't see any better than him. I just knew it wasn't all out.

He wrote me an RX for an antibiotic. I live in PA. We are the tick capital of the USA. I personally know many people,who have Lyme disease, including my nephew.

No one here gets ticks tested, they just go on antibiotics ASAP. It's easier and effective.

Re: Tick help please

blackhole99 — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 02:57:37 GMT

I found a tick embedded and engorged on my shoulder about 10 years ago. I immediately removed it myself and called the doctor. He asked me how long I thought the tick was attached and I told him a few hours. He said to wait and watch for the bulls eye rash and then he would start treatment. I did develop the rash about 14 days later and was sick as a dog with flu like symptoms. I was given an antibiotic and had blood drawn for a titer to see what the tick was carrying. I was feeling better in a few days and the blood test did not show that the tick was carrying any Lyme disease. I have not had any problems from the tick bite.

Re: Tick help please

Desertdi — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 08:25:21 GMT

How do you remove them?

Re: Tick help please

Gsmom — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 10:46:48 GMT

I found a tick on my hip about a year ago

it was engiorged and I was horrified

I removed it with tweezers ( was not easy ) and sent it out to be tested for lymes and a list of other diseases at a lab and paid extra for quick results - about $100

thankfully it was negative . I did not take antibiotics although my Dr said he recommends most people take a course prophylactically . I did not develop a rash and did not get sick or have any symptoms. If you can find a lab that tests ticks I would recommend doing it - there are many other things the Tick can carry which I did not know .

the area on my hip where I found the tick looked like a blister for a few months (Dr said that was normal if it was engorged ) and I put peroxide on it daily . If you can’t get it tested I would take the antibiotics right away just in case .

good luck !

Re: Tick help please

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 11:59:37 GMT

@Desertdi wrote:
How do you remove them?

@Desertdi Suffocate it by applying peanut butter, liquid dish soap or holding a cotton ball with nail polish remover on the tick. Leave it there for a minute or two. Then by entering from the side, get as close as you can to the head with a tweezer and pull the tick straight out. Be careful not to break the body off from the head. If the head stays embedded, the human or pet can still become infected. If pet owners live in wooded areas, Lymes vaccines are recommended for the pets that go outdoors. We include this with our dog’s regular shots.

Re: Tick help please

Desertdi — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 11:57:42 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch Thank you. di

Re: Tick help please

deb5555 — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 12:10:21 GMT

Re: Tick help please

deb5555 — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 12:11:26 GMT

Re: Tick help please

PilatesLover — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 13:42:33 GMT

I'm horrified over doctors telling people to just wait! Where I live the doctors put you on antibiotics immediately.

My husband has Lyme disease complications. The tick that bit him never attached. I discovered the bulls eye rash on the back of his arm, who knows show long after the tick bite, while putting lotion on his back for a sunburn. Not a single tick on him. The doctor said that the nymphs do not need to attach to infect you.

It's nothing to fool around with. Years later he is still plagued with joint pain and fatigue. I always know when the Lyme is flaring up because he gets angry over any little thing and I can't talk to him.

It's serious - don't ever let a doctor tell you "Just wait and see."

Re: Tick help please

twinkies — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 18:36:57 GMT

If you were bitten by the tick you may want to call your family doctor . Watch for a Bulleye rash. Circle like the store Target..bullseye. You should ask your doctor where you can get tick tested if you still have it. wash area thoriughly with saop and water and then an antiseptic.

cathy from ma

Re: Tick help please

ECBG — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 03:52:41 GMT

Other than a bull's eye rash a headache can develop. Just mark the date on a calendar and note changes over the next month to six weeks.