To think this is a tick? (Urgent!!)

[britneyisfree]

Please help, I'm not from the country so I know nothing about stuff like this.

My DD went for a walk with nursery and has come home with this on her leg. She says it hurts.

Oh I hope you manage to get the hideous thing out!

Omg the conflicting advice on here!!

They had an increased incidence of abcesses and infections compared with now.

GP surgery immediately for removal and antibiotics as could develope into lyme disease.

The misinformation is coming from two techniques pitted against each other.

If you use a specific tick removal tool, twisting is the right thing to do. I was always told anticlockwise because they burrow clockwise. That's because the tool can get really low around the tick and remove it in one go.

If you use tweezers, it's hard to maintain the grip and twist at the same time. The risk is that you either decapitate the tick, leaving the head behind, or you squeeze the guts into the host. That's why you should only pull directly upwards if you have tweezers only.

Too late for the OP but if you are reading this and like walks in the countryside (or just overgrown places!) buy one of these and keep it in your medicine cupboard: victoriahealth.com/tick-remover-card/

I hate the idea of ticks and so bought this a couple of years ago. Fortunately I've not needed it. I did get a big black blob on my leg last year that looked like the OP's picture but it wasn't a tick it was just a blob that formed after an insect bite. Might be worth keeping anti-histamines in too.

Antibiotics are only prescribed, without symptoms, in certain high Lyme risk areas.

Possibly. My dog had one and my baby had one (on his eyelid!).
With the dog we used a tick removal gadget (green) but with the baby I just got my fingernail and sractched/flicked it all out. My sister has also removed one using the edge of a credit card, she said that worked a treat. I'd def use the credit card next time.

I feel sorry for the little mite because its litrally just living its life and doing what it does but when I was little and the dogs got them we would burn them off with lighters which worked.

Or get Lyme's Disease which isn't very well understood in the UK.

Ticks are really nasty little blighters. Far worse than headlice and we make a lot more fuss about them.

My DC had one on his leg and after his Dad trying to remove it with the OTOM the head was left behind. I rung 111 who sent us to A&E.
They had to dig it out with a scalpel after using cold spray to numb the area a bit. They had to go quite deep to make sure everything was out.
The Consultant did it straight after we were seen in triage and said it definitely couldn’t have waited until the next day (Dad’s brilliant idea as it was quite late at night).

Hope you are sorted now Op!

My DD had one recently, I didn’t know what it was at first she was just screaming her leg was crazy itchy and hurting, I didn’t have my glasses on and just pulled something off her leg and the pain & itch disappeared straight away. I put what ever it was in tissue before reaching for my glasses to discover it was a tick. I’ve been keeping an eye on her, it was a couple of weeks ago but symptoms of Lymes disease can take months to show up. We live in an area where is very high. I have a friend who was bitten pretty much in the same field as my DD who suffered badly. I’m not worried but definitely keeping a close eye on her showing any symptoms.

Someone told me if you buy a tick remover you’ll never see a tick again. It’s working so far for me!

Hope you managed to remove it OP.

If you have got a proper tick tool why on earth wouldn't you use it on your baby!? It's by far the most effective method of tick removal, why risk leaving the head in and causing a nasty after effect for your child but not your dog?

FFS, I despair I really do.

Please be careful. Don't panic. DD had two recently but we checked the NHS advice.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/

You are doing well having noticed it. Tick removal advice on the site.

We’ve had tick removal cards and gadgets in our first aid kit for 16 years - how do people not know this most basic of information? Am horrified at some of the ‘advice’ on here - you don’t just ‘guess’ or go by some old-wives tale you’ve heard! Ticks are becoming more common in urban areas now - always check after visiting Richmond Park or any space/common land where there are sheep, deer etc… it’s not just out in the wilds. Look out for a bullseye rash a few weeks down the line and flu-like symptoms - that’s if you’ve actually noticed you’ve had a tick on you. I had one for 2 days before I noticed as I’m quite freckley and they can be so tiny.

I have had to deal with many ticks. That one is really embedded. Take her to the Doctors immediately. Do not try and get that out yourself, you will leave behind mouthparts. This can be so dangerous. If it was on me, I would dig it out, but only because I live in a country with no healthcare I can afford, and because I am an adult and reckless. Please dont try and get that out yourself .

I agree. Awareness needs to be raised again. I know at least two adults who got Lyme disease and were really poorly. Depending on which part of the country you are from you need to be aware. Specially of long grass tuck trousers into boots etc. See NHS site but also the lyme disease charity.

lymediseaseuk.com/

Please please DO NOT smother the tick in anything! Doing this can make them 'vomit' which will then go into your child. If you don't have a tick remover then try and use your nails to get hold of it as close to the skin as you can. Twist anti-clockwise and gently remove. You will easily see if the legs are head are still attached to the tick which is what you're aiming for. Personally I wrap them in tissue and 'pop' them and put them in the bin. Sounds gross I know but if you put them down the sink or plughole they will survive this and be in the water system. Here endeth the essay!

Just echoing other posts that
a) Lyme disease can be really serious and
b) everyone needs to educate themselves on how to safely remove ticks. With the correct tool, not with vaseline, lighters, credit card etc etc etc.

nhs site "Grasp the tick (with tweezers) as close to the skin as possible. Slowly pull upwards, taking care not to squeeze or crush the tick. Dispose of it when you have removed it. Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water."

what to expect has this - specifically for small children
"First, use a warm, wet cotton ball.

Soak a cotton ball in warm, soapy water and let it sit on your child's skin for 30 seconds. When you remove the ball, the tick will usually come with it.
If that doesn't work, remove the entire tick with tweezers.

Grasp the tick firmly at its head or mouth (near your child’s skin), and pull firmly and steadily until it lets go. Do not jerk or twist the tweezers while removing a tick, or you may come away with just the tick’s body. If that does happen, don't worry as the rest will fall out in time. Just be sure to get your child tested for Lyme disease."

this is what the cdc website says this
"How to remove a tick
Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible.
Pull upward with steady, even pressure. ...
After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
Never crush a tick with your fingers."

"Avoid folklore remedies such as “painting” the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly, or using heat to make the tick detach from the skin. Your goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible–not waiting for it to detach."

You have the NHS! Use it, rather than risk making the tick vomit or breaking off parts and leaving them in!

Late to the party but this as they will have a tick remover

Someone told me if you buy a tick remover you’ll never see a tick again. It’s working so far for me!

That's what I'm hoping!