Ticks

I removed a tick from DS's leg yesterday morning. I'm assuming he got it some point Saturday evening because we were in a grassy/woodsy area.

I called the doctors today and the secretary said "Happy Tick Season...it's common and just watch for a rash." This doesn't comfort me and I'm still nervous.

Has this happened to anyone? Is it odd that I'm not seeing a doctor?

Re: Ticks

I'm a teacher and had a number of students get ticks toward the ends of the year. Most drs. will not see you. Some automatically prescribe an antibiotic and some say to watch for the bullseye rash. You have a number of weeks that it can appear, so I guess there is no reason to see you now. I hate ticks!

Ticks

Was the tick imbedded in his leg or just crawling on him?

When we found one in Ann's scalp, I brought her to the doctor to remove (although we've removed them many times from our dogs) and they sent it out to be tested just in case. However, they did not prescribe any treatment at time of removal.

Re: Ticks

DD had one and teh doctor removed it and then sent her for blood work 4-6 weeks after. But they didn't prescribe anything or send it out for testing

Re: Ticks

My ped said they do not give antibiotics nor do they test the tick. They only treat the child IF they develop symptoms...

Re: Ticks

Ticks

Most doctors won't see you until there are symptoms because ticks are pretty common. Just watch out for redness and that tell-tale bullseye rash. If you see something, take your DS to the doctor right away so that they can test and prescribe.

Re: Ticks

Thank you. I feel better knowing that he's not supposed to be taking anything.

Ticks

I haven't found one on my kids, but I got lyme disease last year. I just wanted to let you know that a bulls eye rash was NOT my first symptom, and not everyone who gets lyme gets the rash. I was hospitalized before the bulls eye rash appeared. It started with extreme fatigue, and then a very, very high fever, with shaking/convulsions. The rash appeared later, while I was in the ER, after first med could not diagnose me. It started out looking like a hive or a regular bug bite, and then a few hours later was the bulls eye.

Most ticks do not have lyme. And typically, even if it does have lyme, it won't transfer it to you unless the tick was on you for 36-48 hours. I don't think doctors would prescribe meds unless you are showing symptoms. It's an intense antibiotic, and you need to take it for several weeks.

Ticks

I found an engorged tick on me a few years ago & was put on an antibiotic as a precautionary treatment. Do you know if it was a deer tick? Mine was so that may make all of the difference in how your pediatrician is treating it.

Re: Ticks

Watch for flu like syptoms and if he develops a rash.

But just an FYI , I had lyme disease. I got a rash, but no flu like symptoms, so it might not be both. Also, from what I have read, the tick needs to be attached for hours in order for it to transmit the disease. Something like 24 hours i think i remember

eta - the bullseye rash can take up to 28 days to appear

Message edited 7/9/2012 2:12:24 PM.

Ticks

The pediatrician also told me that the rash or bullseye rash can occur anywhere on your body not where the tick was, I didn't know that, so just an FYI.