Oh my gosh you guys. It was small just like the one I found on me 1 year ago this month. Like a small freckle.
I am reaching out to you because I did something really STUPID. I FREAKED! I don't know why but I put a match close to it - might have even touched it briefly.
DID I PUT HER AT MORE RISK? I'm a wreck you guys. I don't want my baby girl to have this horrible disease I've had for over a year now.
What have I done?!?!?!?!?!!?
I went ahead and placed the small creature in a plastic bag but it looks to be dead.
I really messed up - I'm so scared/worried now.
Please respond and let me know your thoughts.
What should I do from here besides watch for the tell-tale bulls-eye rash that I got?
Thank you.....
Posted by adamm (Member # 11910) on :
You need to get her antibiotics.
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
Yes, you need to get her on antibiotics... and not everyone gets the bulls-eye rash. She may never get it, but that doesn't mean anything. So I would not be only watching for that...
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
Not all ticks are infected. Let's hope this one is not.
I'd have the tick tested if it were me. You might be able to have your county do the test. I think some of them test ticks. IgeneX does too.
Talk to your LLMD if you have one.
Try not to blame yourself. You acted out of instinct and love. Now, just do what you have to do to make sure that your daughter gets treatment quickly. Better to get appropriate treatment now just in case.
Terry
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Definitely do not blame yourself!!
Get her on antibiotics right away! Not everyone gets a rash [i never did] and waiting will not help.
Michele Posted by Michele (Member # 13669) on :
Did I put her in jeapordy by touching it with a match?
Can it still be tested if it is dead?
What if her pediatrician won't put her on abx?
Is two weeks sufficient for a child? Are there guidelines for children as well?
I'm sooooooo worried all I can do is cry and pray.
Thanks for listening.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
No one knows the answer to the first question...no one.
She needs at least 6-8 wks of abx. Can you call your LLMD for help??
Testing for ticks is no better than testing on humans. I found out the hard way and won't ever bother to have a tick tested again.
Posted by Michele (Member # 13669) on :
Do you think my LLMD would treat her without seeing her? He is approx. 7 hours away. I could call him tomorrow.
She looked up at me and cried and said "am I going to have Lyme like you - I don't want to be sick like you?" Broke me heart.
I'm just an emotional wreck! Trying to get a grip.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I sent you a PM.
Posted by sometimesdilly (Member # 9982) on :
dear Michele-
1. please don't blame yourself for a thing. i can't imagine what i'd do if i saw a deer tick on my 6 year old, but trust me, i would NOT react rationally.. few of us would be capable of that, given the circumstances..
2. you don't know if the tick was infected, and if infected, whether or not the infection was transmitted.
3. since you don't know, TRUST that it is better to err on the side of caution. Antibiotics! Now! Enough, and for long enough!
the risk of abx now is NOTHING, repeat nOTHING compared to the risks of not giving antibiotics now.
Do NOT settle of any doctor who tells you otherwise!!
Praying for you and your family-
dilly (mother of a 6 year old child with Lyme who should never have had to go through this hell)
Posted by Mo (Member # 2863) on :
match or no match.. if the tick was attatched, you should treat prophylactically.
yes, removing it with a match, scratching it, or tugging with a tweezer, ect. can make the tick spit up into the blood stream, but even if you removed it perfectly, it would still be most prudent to treat.
it is completely wrong to think length of attatchment matters with ticks, or that skilled removal would mean treatment was less necessary. any known attatchment should be treated.
you could easily have transmission even if it wasn't aggravated.
while treating and after, watch for any signs of illness whatsoever, and obviously any rash, or pain at the site. monitor all illness symptoms carefully with LLMD. any symptoms that occur may require more treatment.
don't worry, you are actually way ahead of the game with knowledge of the disease, immediate treatment, and what to watch out for. i believe most ilads educated LL's whould treat a known attachment.
it's those who don't know these things that are in danger. tick bites are going to happen no matter how careful you may be.
knowledge holds power to keep her well.. you can just let her know that the medicine is to prevent her from getting sick, and be sure she feels comfortable enough to let you know how she is feeling. most likely, all will be fine.
don't worry, your good. you're lucky you saw the tick.
best, mo
ps: there's a great remover at agway called "de-ticker II", it removes a tick by gentle grip and twisting motion that causes the least amount of stress to the tick itself, so it is less likely to cause it "spitting up". it's a great tool, but with a known tick attatchment, you would treat just the same.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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Please let her know that not all ticks carry lyme.
Insects bites are just part of life and sometimes we have to treat them. I hope she can still have love of nature. Being aware and acting when we need to is a good lesson for anyone.
Even if your LLMD suggests treatment (which would be wise) you can let her know that because it's being taken care of very early, she has an excellent chance of this working out just fine.
Probiotics all around and good luck.
-
Posted by Michele (Member # 13669) on :
Thank you all for your replies.
I plan to contact my LLMD today.
God Bless you all!
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
Hi Michele.
I am so sorry to hear this.
Everyone gave you good advice.
The only thing I wanted to add is that it is not legal for any doctor to prescribe meds with out seeing the patient. What I mean by this is that if your LLMD does not have a patient doctor relationship, he/she can not rx meds.
But maybe her Pedi can Rx meds until you can get her to the LLMD?
Good luck, Melissa
Posted by Niere (Member # 14387) on :
Michele--
I found a dog tick attached to my three-year old earlier this spring.
I had to take a deep breath...
I was able to pull it off--there was no blood but it did seem to be attached, as if it had just bitten her.
I phoned mhy pediatrician and made it very clear to him that my daughter was not going to go what I went through. He's a wonderful man and phoned in a script for three weeks of amoxicillin.
Today she's absolutely fine. I'm sure this will not be the last time I find a tick on my children (despite all our precautions) but if and when that happens they will get antibiotics for it.
End of subject.
You may want to consider calling your pediatrician and making your concerns clear. You may be surprised.
Wishing you and your daughter the best. Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by merrygirl:
The only thing I wanted to add is that it is not legal for any doctor to prescribe meds with out seeing the patient. What I mean by this is that if your LLMD does not have a patient doctor relationship, he/she can not rx meds.
But maybe her Pedi can Rx meds until you can get her to the LLMD?
And perhaps the LLMD would be willing to consult with the pedi if the pedi won't prescribe for the child.
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
Michele