Need help identifying this tick and it's stage in life cycle. No symptoms, but the bite area didn't look good so I went in and got some Doxy. My apologies if these pictures are super huge!
4/10/19 -- possibly attached himself, not sure 4/13/19 -- noticed him on my upper right leg and pulled him out with tweezers by the mouth as best I could 4/15/19 -- went to doc and got 10 days of doxy
Thanks!
Bite:
Tick Top:
Tick Bottom: Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :
Welcome to Lymenet goonie So glad you found us!
Latest research shows a tick can infect you the minute it bites you, NOT 24 to 48 hours.
Latest research shows only 9% get the classic Bulls-eye rash and only 50% get a rash at all.
Latest research shows 6 to 8 weeks Doxy treatment immediately after bite to eradicate infection.
Here is a tick map of all areas in U.S. and their activity currently. Also includes pictures of ticks and their stages.
looks like an engorged nymph. you were wise to get to the doc.
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
I'm sure the doc probably only rx'ed 100mg doxy twice a day, correct?
That isn't strong enough dose to knock out Lyme or any of the other co-infections you could have from that tick attachment.
300-400mg a day is recommended to knock out pathogens for 6-8 weeks as Bartender recommended. Also with doxy, avoid the sun while taking it and read warnings on sun & doxy.
Posted by goonie (Member # 48825) on :
Thanks everyone.
Tickencounter said it's a Lone Star nymph that has been feeding for 1-2 days. The doxy prescription is 100mg 2x daily for 10 days. I'm staying out of the sun. If this is indeed a Lone Star tick, I'm not too concerned. Any thoughts?
Posted by hiker53 (Member # 6046) on :
Lone star ticks can carry Lyme (or Master's Disease) and it is not uncommon for them to carry Ehrlichiosis.
I would up the doxy amount and lengthen the time. Better safe then sorry.
Posted by goonie (Member # 48825) on :
I agree better safe than sorry, but the TickEncounter site I was recommended in this thread does not believe Lone Star ticks transmit Lyme. Thoughts?
The Lone Star tick can absolutely carry and transmit lyme, and other coinfections as well. -
Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :
From my way of reasoning. . . We need to clarify the definition of Lyme disease.
From Journal of Medical Entomology; "The media coverage of Lyme disease might make many Americans think that a tick- bite is only one thing; Lyme disease. Ehrlichiosis and other Tick Borne Infections (TBI's) CAUSED by the Lone Star tick are a real threat and should not go unrecognized."
From Dr H.; "Different ticks transmit different pathogens."
gonnie A tick is a sewer of infections. Bacteria, viruses, parasites, worms, and not-as-of-yet discovered pathogens can be transmitted with 1 bite. Why take the chance? Nuke it and nuke it now.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Much also depends on which pathogens said tick, regardless of type, has encountered in their meal slurps / ingested / been "born" with. They will pass along whatever they've "collected". -
Posted by goonie (Member # 48825) on :
Thought I'd update this thread with the lab results from TickReport.com. Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
Great, I think you are a lucky guy!!!
But just don't trust the exams 100%, but I guess, you may feel more relaxed, even though sometimes, people still fall ill despite tick's negative tests.
Just be aware of strange symptoms.
I would go on Buhner's herbs anyway, just to prevent things to happen (like astragalus, cats claw, japanese knotweed). Better safe than sorry.
They don't cost much, and are not too hard to take. And anyway, you could buy them to stock home, just in case in the future you are bitten again.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I hope the testing is correct.
Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :
goonie
While you definitely dodged a few, please remain vigilant for new symptoms, listen to your body.
The lone star tick is responsible for the transmission of serious zoonotic diseases including ehrilichosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and the alpha-gal allergy(meat allergy).
