To be stressing over tick bite…

[IHateTicks]

DC aged 4 had a head bump to back of head just over a week ago. Went to A and E.
Three days ago I checked it, and was concerned when I felt a raised lump with what looked like a large skin tag sticking out.

Messaged doctor with photo who said : didn’t look like anything to worry about, and make a routine appointment (got 14th Nov).
Looked again last night and DP noticed legs on the skin tag.
It’s in the same area as original head bump but lower down - it’s actually a large tick half burrowed in.
Removed with special tweezers, kept tick, it’s still alive, probably been there for 5 days.

DC has very thick hair, and now I see tick position is below original head bump area.

I’ll contact GP again, the area where tick was is raised and bump like, no bullseye. No rash. I kept tick so can get it tested. If he takes the precautionary anti biotics they are very strong I’ve heard…
Any thoughts?

You need to speak to your GP and see if they recommend antibios. If there's been a tick in there several days then it's not worth the risk of not taking them if the GP says he needs to take them.

Talk to the GP about preventative measures.

But, there's several different types of ticks in the UK, only one of them carries Lyme disease. And only 25% (i think) of that type actually do carry it.

I don’t see any need for antibiotic prophylaxis from what you’ve said. Is the tick site red, hot to touch or painful? You’ve said there’s no rash, I assume no other signs of illness? No fever? Double check with your GP but I’d say just keep a close eye on your child over the next 30 days. Any signs of infection such as those I’d mention above, get them checked straight away.

@dragonfliesandbees

Thank you. It’s raised, to a point where the tick was. No rash - although difficult to see through hair. DC doesn’t like me touching the area, but I don’t think painful. Think DC is annoyed with me fussing over head (first for head bump, now this).
I think what you are saying is what the GP will say.
I’ve kept the tick so will send the tick off to be tested, but not sure how reliable the tests are.

I had precautionary antibiotics, because I had the bullseye rash, but I tolerated them really well, so if he does need them, he might be fine with them too ❤️❤️