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What is this I’ve found on my daughters head? Is it a tick?

351 replies

Alwayswaiting · 26/09/2022 07:57

My daughter, 5, has had a temperature of 40 all night. Been in with me, sleeping in her knickers to keep her cool. Had some calpol.

This morning I’ve woken up to take her temperature and found what I think is a tick but I’m not sure?

I’ve pulled it out - and thrown it away - but it was alive when I pulled it out. Should I get my daughter checked over by a GP?

What is this I’ve found on my daughters head? Is it a tick?
OP posts:
tealandteal · 26/09/2022 07:58

Looks like a tick, did you get the head out? Is there a target shaped rash around it?

mycatisawesome · 26/09/2022 07:58

Yes looks like a tick

Aerodactyl · 26/09/2022 07:59

Tick, yes, and get her to the GP. Lyme's is a bitch so you don't want to risk it. They'll likely give a course of antibiotics I think?

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Hmmmwhatnametochoose · 26/09/2022 07:59

Looks like a tick to me. Weird place to have one though.

Dannexe · 26/09/2022 07:59

Yes that’s a tick

Trulyweird1 · 26/09/2022 07:59

It was a tick. If her temperature is still 40 or over call 111 or your GP. The temperature is a worry.

3WildOnes · 26/09/2022 07:59

That does look like a tick. I would try and get a GP appointment asap as she also gas a temp.

ApolloandDaphne · 26/09/2022 07:59

Yes it is a tick. I would get her checked by a GP because of the possibility of Lyme disease.

Alwayswaiting · 26/09/2022 08:00

Okay thank you all - will be onto the GP as soon as they open.

she climbed a tree yesterday - that’s all I can think of. We have a dog - who is treated monthly.

she’s up - temp is still very high and she’s got one very sore leg and can’t walk properly

OP posts:
Boxin · 26/09/2022 08:01

How did you pull it out?!
You should use a tick remover and twist and rotate ticks out otherwise you leave their heads embedded and a recipe for infection.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 26/09/2022 08:05

Is the not walking properly due to the sore leg or due to balance? If the latter then A&E may be your better option as she may need IV treatment for Lyme disease.

Alwayswaiting · 26/09/2022 08:05

I used tweezers to get it out - it was really quite attached to her head - I pulled and it came out - with head etc attached and was still alive - I then went back and pulled out something that appeared to be like a barb? Hoping there’s nothing left

OP posts:
ElizabethBest · 26/09/2022 08:09

Call 111, who will refer you to the GP or A&E as she’ll need urgent treatment. It does sound like she has Lyme disease.

ClaryFairchild · 26/09/2022 08:15

As long as here is no black dot left (part of the tick) A&E will only give medication if the red area grows larger.

CockingASnook · 26/09/2022 08:16

Lyme disease doesn’t manifest until some time after the bite (days, weeks). If she was bitten a day ago she wont have symptoms yet - look for flu-type symptoms like headache, aching joints etc in a few weeks. However, given that is definitely a tick bite and it’s been there for more than 24hrs I’d expect the doctor to prescribe a hefty dose of antibiotics to knock it on the head. Note that not all docs are up to speed on the disease so demand the antibiotics if you have to. Yes, I live in a Lyme area.

Froppysue · 26/09/2022 08:19

Not to worry you, but I’d be concerned about tick paralysis, as well as Lyme disease. Does she have any funny feeling in her legs, and is she not walking because it’s numb or because it’s more of a muscle ache?

Luckily you’ve found the tick and removed it, have her symptoms improved at all since you have? Wipe with an antiseptic solution/wipe if you can.
Definitely take her to the GP, it’s worth noting not all areas of the uk have ticks that spread Lyme disease but your doc will know the best course of action, possibly a blood test and antibiotics.
Really hope your daughter feels better soon!

Alwayswaiting · 26/09/2022 08:19

Thank you - goodness it’s such a worry

OP posts:
TheLadyofShalott1 · 26/09/2022 08:54

Yes that is a tick, if it is the cause of your DD's temperature then she definitely needs to see a Dr. But if it isn't the cause, and is just a coincidence, then she still needs to see a Dr because a temperature of 40°C that has not come down after having Calpol, needs investigating anyway! If the Dr finds redness in her ears, and/or throat, and/or swollen glands, then s/he may well say to just keep her fluids up and continue to give her Calpol.

If the Dr can't find an Immediate cause s/he should listen to her chest and heart, and if s/he still can't find any other causes, then imo the Dr would be very stupid to not give her antibiotics, as it seems like the tick could indeed be the culprit. Can you maybe give your DD a tepid bath, and check her thoroughly for any other ticks whilst doing so.

I have very strong feelings against prescribing antibiotics unless they are definitely needed, but in the case of your DD I think that the presence of the tick does warrant the Dr giving your DD antibiotics anyway, even if s/he has found her to "just" have what s/he considers to be a viral infection. As a PP said, if Lyme disease gets hold in someone's body it can be very nasty.

If you come away from the Dr's without a prescription for your DD, please keep a very close eye on her, and if there is no improvement within a few days, or if she gets worse, please take her back to the Dr's, or even to A&E of course if she gets much worse.

By the way OP, does your family have a dog, or any other animals that go outside, or does your DD enjoy rolling around in long grass - or even walking or running through vegetation? If so, that is of course lovely, so please don't stop her, but if you could get into the habit of checking her over when she comes in after such activities, and also checking over any pets, then hopefully the horrible critters won't be given board and lodgings on your DD again, or on any DPets.

Oh by the way, it might be a good idea to go into your nearest vets or pet shop and buy a tick remover - mine looks a bit like a minute green fork, then look up on YouTube how to remove ticks from the skin of any animal, including humans. It is a long time since I had to remove one from my dog, but I think once the 'fork' is in position you give it a good twist - to break the ticks legs I think - so that you can get the whole thing out, not just it's swollen body! Did you notice whether the one you removed appeared intact, head/body and 8 tiny legs?

Just as an aside, my DH and I always let our DDog sleep on our bed, but the time I saw a tick doing a 'quick' shuffle towards me on the sheet beside me, nearly gave me a heart attack - well it at least gave me a revolting shock! DDog still sleeps on our bed though🕷🤭
They are members of the wider arachnid family, but maybe don't tell your DD that!

TheLadyofShalott1 · 26/09/2022 09:01

Sorry OP, I started my post at 07:59 so you have had lots of useful information since I last read your thread. The "barb" that you pulled out was probably one of the legs, but please let the Dr know that you don't know if you got the whole tick out. I hope that your DD starts to feel better very soon.

Alwayswaiting · 26/09/2022 09:08

So the doctor receptionist has spoken to the GP who has advised straight to A&E which seems full on - but I’ll have to follow the advice

OP posts:
sproutsandparsnips · 26/09/2022 09:11

Yes, I'd be more concerned about temperature and limping. Could be irritable hip. Maybe the tick bite is a red herring.

OnTheBrinkOfChange · 26/09/2022 09:13

Take your doctors advice and get to A&E. I'd be very concerned about the temperature and limping.

DistrictCommissioner · 26/09/2022 09:16

the onset of lyme’s disease isn’t immediate, so it’s most likely she’s got another illness & also a tick. My kids have had several ticks in the U.K. without ill effect so fingers crossed it won’t cause any issues (although DC2 did get tick bite fever in South Africa! - that has a 14 day incubation period though, & the bite site goes all black & necrotic first so you know it’s happening! Doesn’t exist in the U.K. though…)

HangerLaneGyratorySystem · 26/09/2022 09:39

Glad they’ve said A&E - hope you get some answers there and the wait isn’t too long.

PinkStickleBrick · 26/09/2022 09:45

My dd had a tick in the same place. I'm pretty sure it had been there fir a while but it was much smaller this yours

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