This is topic can't get tick head out, should I head to ER? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by gambler (Member # 8441) on :
 
I'm freaking out, the tick and perhaps a leg broke off and I can't get them out. My father made an incision to try and remove them but couldn't grab them.

Should I go to the ER?

I cannot get sick like I was before again.

I'm currently on Rifampin and Zithromax, I do have some Doxy, should I start it?
 
Posted by lululymemom (Member # 26405) on :
 
I wouldnt even question it.. Just head to ER and have it removed. Start Doxy asap.
 
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
 
Go to E.R ASAP and let them give you a script for doxy and remove the tick. DO NOT TAKE EXPIRED DOXY!

Gael
 
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
 
I went to two different docs and neither would take the head out. They told me my body would naturally get rid of it (morons). I think your best bet is the ER, and get a new script of doxy. Doxy that is 1 year old can kill you.
 
Posted by gambler (Member # 8441) on :
 
thanks, I emailed my LLMD and he said that Zithromax was plenty

While I am sure that Zithromax covers a lot, I do know that doxy covers more, I feel that I should still add doxy, I have another LLMD I might just call him tomorrow.

I really really don't want to go to the ER, can you get sick from having the head in you? Did I mention that the tick was dead when I found it stuck in me? Does that make a difference? Maybe the rifampin killed it, sometimes I feel it's killing me.
 
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
 
The head is still carrying bacteria in the salivary glands. You have to be very careful when removing it so as not not release any bacteria. Google " Removing A Dead Imbedded Tick Head"

Gael
 
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
 
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1413603-technique#aw2aab6b4b2

Go to this website and print this page. (Tick Removal Technique by Medscape). Bring it with you to the ER as your reference.

"Retained tick material may lead to secondary infection."

"In some cases, retention of tick mouth parts or cuticular fragments may lead to granuloma formation."
 
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
 
I would want the head removed. Try going to an Urgent Care Center or a smaller/ less busy ER.

Tell them that you removed most of the tick's body but that the head is still imbedded. You need help getting this out to prevent infection.

I would also refuse to leave without proper treatment. This may persuade a lazy doc to go ahead and remove the tick as he should have done in the first place.

Good luck!
 
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
 
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It must be cut out - and with a clear bit of surrounding tissue - by a doctor with magnifciation, a surgical blade and proper procedure - and the least amount of moving it all about.

It sound be easy in the doctor's office but it's beyond a matter of just pulling it out. Do not mess with yourself it as that could further aggravate it.

No tick part should be allowed to remain, not even a leg. None. Zero. Zip. Ever. If so, that could lead to life-long neuroborreliosis. No medicine in the world can be guaranteed to change that risk. It must come out.

Insist. This is standard procedure for at least some of the European countries. No part of tick is allowed to remain for they strongly suspect even years later, tick parts can continue to infect.
-
 
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
 
gambler, because the tick mouthparts are like fishing barbs, you cannot pull out the head.

I once had a doctor try to pull out a tick head and he could not do it.

Instead, they have to "scoop" out the head with the flesh around it, then burn the hole to cauterize it for you. It will look like you were burned by a cigarette butt when finished.

I got my gyn to do it. It takes at least 1/2 hour. First, they put on a cream that totally numbs you. Then, they cut out the area and burn it. It takes about 20 minutes for the numbing alone.

I got my tick head out about 3 days after I found the tick. Since you are on meds, I would not worry about getting sick from it, but I would try to get someone to cut out the head as soon as I could. A GP would not do it for me. It is not a procedure that they do. That's why I asked the gyn, and, fortunately, he did it.

So, call your various doctors (even a skin doctor--they are very likely to do it because they have the tools & necessary meds and do this type of procedure for skin problems) until you find one who will do it. Then, get an appointment for the procedure.
 
Posted by gambler (Member # 8441) on :
 
Thanks so much for your responses.

I'm driving to Igenex to drop off the tick, I added Doxy just in case and I will find someone to take out the tick.

My LLMD said it couldn't be very hard, just use tweezers. I'm pretty sure he hasn't had a tick head embedded in him. And it's in my underarm so I can barely see it.

I'm going to have to examine the tick more carefully to figure out if anything besides the head is missing...maybe that can help me at Igenex.
 
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
Don't count on the testing to be a sure thing. Didn't work for me.
 
Posted by gambler (Member # 8441) on :
 
Yikes, they can't even test a tick accurately?

I really want to move to Hawaii.
 
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
 
Even Hawaii has ticks now - best thing is to stay as safe as you know how -

In general, I've heard they can test ticks accurately, but what people always say is what if there was any other tick that also bit that people didn't see?!
 
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
 
Burn it afterwards? Sounds a bit extreme, unless you are burning the tick instead.
 
Posted by gambler (Member # 8441) on :
 
I went to the ER and had the mouth removed. I overheard the DR telling the nurses (whom I assume were making a comment on the necessity of it) that you had to get the mouth out, it could easily cause infection. I'm glad he took it seriously and I didn't have to argue.

In other news, Doxycycline is no joke expensive, last year it was $7 this year it is $528 for the same amount. Sooooooo...
 


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