Worried about tick bite on child

[Tittletattletoo]

Hi all

Found a tick on my youngest today when travelling. Think it might have been on him for at least 24 hours. I removed it as advised but a bit worried maybe a small amount left. Am now really worrying about Lyme disease and other diseases. We’d been in an area in Europe where tick disease quite prevalent.

NHS advice seems to be no need to contact a GP unless develop symptoms. I have health anxiety though and just feel so stressed particularly as it seems can develop up to 30 days afterwards.

not sure why I’m posting tbh! For reassurance I guess if anyone has any

I think you look out for a bullseye type ring developing around the bite site and if it does you need to take them to the GP to get the appropriate medication

You could contact a private GP and ask about prophylactic antibiotics considering for the length of time attached to the skin. It’s quite outdated to wait for the bullseye as not everyone gets it and too late then. A family member had one and got a simple course of one off antibiotics to prevent problems, without the bullseye rash.

Thanks - that was what I was wondering @LondonMaybe re prophylactic antibiotics - I had a recollection that someone I knew was prescribed. Of course it would be a bank holiday and most of the online GPs don’t seem available but I am going to google again in the morning

My son was prescribed antibiotics for his tick bite about 3 days later as he started flu like symptoms.

Just keep an eye on it. we remove about a tick a week from each of our dc. Never any Lyme’s disease. Friend’s dc who did have it said it was really obvious. She had antibiotics and she’s totally fine now.

Thanks all. To update incase useful to anyone I spoke to the GP cover service. They have advised to go to A&E to ensure fully removed and for prophylactic antibiotics ( we are also in an area of prevalence in U.K. - apparently really quite common and this is now advised approach)

To A and E for a non symptomatic tickbite? Really?

Don't you have a walk in centre at least?

You could be waiting all day.

www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/injuries/skin-injuries/tick-bites#:~:text=Using%20fine%2Dtoothed%20tweezers%2C%20gently,the%20skin%20around%20the%20bite.

DS had one when he was really tiny. As others have said, look for a bullseye ring. If nothing, and he seems fine, don't worry. (I've had the bullseye ring as an adult, no treatment and I was fine, with no symptoms, so it's not always serious.)

Surely it’s obvious of any of the tic is left?

I can’t imagine being told to go to a&e for a tick bite!!!

@Tittletattletoo other countries do give prophylactic antibiotics for tick bites. Those who are saying they were fine, having seen a friends life ruined with Lyme disease, this would be the same as saying “I never wore a seatbelt and I was fine” things aren’t 100% and the OP has had advice and is following it.

No it isn’t necessarily obvious as the tick is so tiny. It is hard to distinguish between bite mark and whether any of the jaw remains.

There is now a specialists unit in U.K. local hospital due to the prevalence of Lyme in my local area. I agree NHS advice is different, but local GP was clear this is the protocol they now follow in this area due to Lyme prevalence. The GPS no longer attempt removal but refer to the hospital. The area I’d been to has higher Lyme prevalence so the approach was applicable. It was the approach that was also taken with my family member when bitten in Scotland.

it may of course very well be different in other areas of the U.K. where prevalence of Lyme is lower.

I agree though A&E on a long bank holiday isn’t going to be fun!

@Tittletattletoo

what happened at a&e? They manage to get the rest out?

I had got it all out it turned out!

Luckily A&E was surprisingly quick as well.

Ah phew! I’ve got a tick remover off Amazon which gets them out really well- It’s like a card!

did they give antibiotics ?