Mouthparts/head of tick remained embedded in skin after tick removal. Research on the web as to what to do - the consensus being that the tick head will eventually work itself out -local emergency room personnel concurred.
2 questions: 1.) Is this really the best advice? 2.)Even though it's not active, can the remaining head still transmit some remnants of the pathogens of tick borne diseases?
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Oh my!
The tick mouth parts need to come out.
If left in, they can lead to a dangerous fever.
Also, have you started antibiotics for the tick bite itself? Regardless of how long the tick was attached, it's general consensus around here that starting antibitoics right away is the best way to ensure you don't get lyme.
Posted by mceline (Member # 9235) on :
If a fever results, would it be from a localized infection at the site?... due to(if)the persons body is not able to push the head of the tick out, on its own?
or....the head, mouth parts left in for any amount of time continue to transmit pathogens?
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
I will find some links
My grandma had tick mouth parts embedded in her scalp.
She became delirious, feverish. The mouthparts were then removed by a doc-the fever and delerium went away. No antibioticcs given. Three years later-polymyalgia rhuematica.
When the body is removed-and the head and mouthparts of the tick aren't-there is a chance that the bacteria in the ticks gut were 'pushed' into the hosts body, during this removal process.
Dr.M, from Canada, found a way to inject a solution of lidocaine and saline into the area where the tick is feeding, in order for the tick to drop off on it's own, mouthparts intact. This reduces the chance of the tick "regurgitating" it's stomach contents into the host during the removal.
The fact that you have had a tick-and it was not removed correctly or completely, raises a red flag that it is possible it regurgitated it's stomach contents into your body during removal.
Dr. S has found that ticks have an average of 1.2 BB in their salivary glands BEFORE feeding.
Best to get some antibiotics or follow Buhners protocol for initial tick bites.
Links on their way Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- No, the tick head will NOT work its way out on it's own. It needs to be cut out, now. ASAP.
Yes, all mouth parts MUST also be excised, with a bit of surrounding skin. A doctor should be able to do this in their office, with magnification and good light.
A "circle" of tissue needs to be cut AROUND it so as not to cut through any tick part itself. This need not be a huge chunk of skin but it needs some clear margins.
In some parts of Europe, this is standard procedure to be sure no tick part is left as it could cause trouble for as long at it remains. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- As you ask this question with an anxious emoticon, I assume you are in this position right now? You don't say but with that little guy in panic mode, it's how I interpret your quesion - and that your local ER will not help.
As you've "been here" since 2006, I assume you have or at least have had a LLMD. Talk to them about where this might be done today. Any doctor can do this - in their office - but your LLMD would know which ones will be willing. -
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
Keebler is right, as usual... I would take action now, maybe the ER or Doctors office.
Posted by mceline (Member # 9235) on :
Well, I am not in panic mode - simply trying to get educated. This is an inquiry for a friend who is facing this situation.
addendum: I signed up in 2006 - long story short, I presently do not have (or need, thankfully), a LLMD.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Just passing along what I've learned. I wish I could recall the country in Europe where this is standard procedure. They don't want ANY tick part, not even a trace left in.
Well, glad it's not you in this pickle. Still, anyone who is facing this right now should be prompted to immediate action.
They would also then need to consider treatment (if they are new to all this).
Glad you are helping them chart the waters. Now calling the nearest LLMD to them would be the first move. Find out where they can get that excised. Not "pulled out" or even "cut out" but "cut AROUND" -
- LLMDs should know which ER, Urgent Care or doctors are more open minded to do this. And, if close by, perhaps they might be able to do this (or someone on their staff).
Ask, too, what antibiotic solutions should wash the tissue during the procedure. But, BEFORE that, collecting into a special container -- the tissue and tick part might be helpful for testing (might not but it's a question and may depend on how much, which part would be right for any kind of test, like a tick test?_.
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of the pathogens of tick borne diseases?
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