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Original poster

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:
Starsinyoureyes13 · 26/09/2022 18:52

Oh dear the head could still be inside, a wee trip to ane esp if she has a temp... My grandad used to use a blown out match put them on the bug to get them off his legs, he was a hill walker. Get the kid seen to as head left inside could cause Lyme disease

ImEasyLikeSundayMorning · 26/09/2022 18:53

Oh poor girl. South Downs? Are you at the Alex?

I hope she gets seen soon!

Loungingstevens · 26/09/2022 18:58

im hoping you get some answers soon.
it sounds like a very long day and the cannula issue sounds horrible.
wishing you luck

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Crikeyalmighty · 26/09/2022 19:02

Thinking of you - x there really needs to be a public information film out out about this and also information given to parents from doctors/schools. It's the third situation I've read about this year involving these buggers and so few people seem to know about it

The same goes for wild swimming and weils disease I've had to mention this a few times to my friend who loves to do this with her 8 year old- given the crap that's being pumped back in these days

You did the right thing OP - I hope it gets treated and sorted and wishing you and DD all the best

Original poster
Alwayswaiting · 26/09/2022 19:12

ImEasyLikeSundayMorning · 26/09/2022 18:53

Oh poor girl. South Downs? Are you at the Alex?

I hope she gets seen soon!

Yes we’re at the Alex - about to see consultant shortly so fingers crossed for some answers soon.

thank you to everyone who has provided advice and support. Honestly - I had no idea how serious it could be, and feel stupid for questioning the GP sending us to A&E now - thank you all and I’ll update when I know more

OP posts:
Lovemusic33 · 26/09/2022 19:16

Hope your dd is ok, I get a lot of ticks (I hike and forage a lot) and have been treated for Lymes once after my gp removed a tic from behind my knee, I had to take antibiotics for 4 weeks, had mild flu symptoms for most of the summer but was fine after that. Your dd will probably be given antibiotics and you will be told to look out for any symptoms of Lymes. I now have a tic removal kit and check myself regularly after walking, I have removed 3 or 4 this year it have got them early.

oakleaffy · 26/09/2022 19:16

@Alwayswaiting
That's very worrying for you.
Ticks are everywhere, dogs are lucky in that they can take the meds to stop them..{Since being on tick meds, our dog hasn't had one, so assume the meds work?}
I went on a picnic in Leigh Woods, Bristol, a few years ago, and we sat on rocks to eat food.
I stopped off in a bookshop on way home, and noticed some glossy black legs under my watch strap... a tick!
It hadn't buried it's beastly head, but my son said ''Leigh Woods is full of them''

As others have said, in a tick zone, it's a good idea to get in the shower and check oneself all over after being out in vegetation.

Men and boys tend to get them on their testicles {Warm, rich blood supply} so these things clearly walk in under clothing.

Hope your Daughter is ok, must be absolutely exhausting for her and you , sat on hard plastic chairs.

Beach11 · 26/09/2022 19:19

Wishing her a speedy recovery

TheClogLady · 26/09/2022 19:20

Good to hear they are bringing in the boss level doctor to take a look - the wait must be pretty awful but it’s always important to get a 5 year old with a temp that high that doesn’t respond to calpol seen.

My daughter had similar ‘go straight to A&E for a blood test’ advice age 6 and we barely came home for a year!

She’s 10 now and doing fine btw, but I sure did learn it’s not worth taking risks with littles and high temps.

MrJi · 26/09/2022 19:22

Your poor little girl, I hope that she is on the mend soon.

oakleaffy · 26/09/2022 19:22

Lovemusic33 · 26/09/2022 19:16

Hope your dd is ok, I get a lot of ticks (I hike and forage a lot) and have been treated for Lymes once after my gp removed a tic from behind my knee, I had to take antibiotics for 4 weeks, had mild flu symptoms for most of the summer but was fine after that. Your dd will probably be given antibiotics and you will be told to look out for any symptoms of Lymes. I now have a tic removal kit and check myself regularly after walking, I have removed 3 or 4 this year it have got them early.

They can be absolutely tiny, almost not much bigger than a grain of sand.
''Feel'' is a good way to detect them, running your hands over body.

With animas like dogs, a short coated dog like a Whippet is easy to check up on , but heavy coated dogs can harbour ticks for days un~noticed.
A French family I stayed with removed a massive bloated tick from their shaggy dog, and Monsieur flicked it into the fire.

It was shuddersome. That one looked the size of a small grape. Bluish white with dark legs and head.

It seems they are getting much more prevalent in UK.

Tonkerbea · 26/09/2022 19:23

So sorry your DD is feeling rotten, but thank goodness you found that tic. Agree with PPs saying more awareness needs to be raised about the complications bites can cause

Wonderfulstuff · 26/09/2022 19:25

I have no advice but just wanted to say I really hope your daughter is OK. I'm in a similar area and, although I'm obviously sorry you posted, I do appreciate it as ticks are now on my radar.

Hope you're all back home and well asap.

DarlingDarwin · 26/09/2022 19:25

Hope she’s getting the treatment she needs!

PepperSprayFirstApologiseLater1 · 26/09/2022 19:27

This is terrifying, hope she's ok

ButterflyBitch · 26/09/2022 19:29

My daughter got a tick from Leigh Woods. I thought it was a speck of dirt to start with but it didn’t wipe away. Luckily she was fine.

GuyFawkesDay · 26/09/2022 19:30

Goodness me, what a worry . Hope she's better soon

Zeeza · 26/09/2022 19:33

It sounds like you've done a good job to me. You weren't sure so you asked advice. Then you followed the advice. I don't see what any of us can do but that.

Because of where you live I would definitely buy a few tick removal tools. I too use the green forked ones. They come in a pack of two, large for the adult ticks, small for the baby nymphs.

Watch a video to know how to get them out next time. It really is simple.

I've had a few ticks, but I was never prescribed antibiotics and was fine. I have a thing about them and now do things like tuck my trousers into my socks and never wear shorts in tick areas.

About 20pc of ticks have Lyme in the uk apparently, and even if they do there's a very good chance they won't pass it on.

Tick checks are good, they like groins and armpits and backs of knees. Getting a tick out of my dogs bum wasn't great. But the less time they have on the less chance they will infect.

And as others say, use a proper tool as instructed and they won't vomit into the wound and that reduces the risk.

Good luck with your little girl. It's been a long day for you both. I hope she gets treated and released ASAP.

But don't beat yourself up. You did the right things.

Darkness22 · 26/09/2022 19:36

I had one from the Lake District and it was teeny. Really worried me though.

Darkness22 · 26/09/2022 19:37

I had one from the Lake District and it was teeny. Really worried me though.

Bordesleyhills · 26/09/2022 20:03

Hope she improves soon

justasking111 · 26/09/2022 20:08

We're in national trust land the sheep get into the playground leaving ticks behind small children are just the right height to get them here. I loathe ticks

Franklydear · 26/09/2022 20:13

The Alex is a great hospital, great care, hope they sort it out soon

ChronicOverthinkr · 26/09/2022 20:20

I recently had Lyme disease and was very unwell with it, unable to bear weight on one leg and awful flu symptoms. The “bullseye” never showed up - it only appears in around 70% of cases.

Glad you’re getting her seen and it’s being taken seriously.

Toffeewhirl · 26/09/2022 20:26

I've spent a fair bit of time at the Alex with my son and was really impressed. Your Dd is in good hands.

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