Can we get a tick tested for being a Lyme carrier?

[Looseleaf]

Our dd had Lyme as a toddler and I'm in a state of worry as found another deer tick on her too late (48 hours after exposure).

Does anyone know if a lab will test the tick itself to see if we should give her antibiotics? Or do we need to just ask for antibiotics in case? I've identified the tick as a female deer tick (nasty) and it's in a box

I have no idea, sorry, but following because i found a tick on my daughter a week ago and just pulled it out without thinking and am now paranoid about lyme disease. How did you spot it in your DD?

It's a really bad year for them, just pulled one off my cat! but I think generally its best to note the date down in a diary with location of bite then keep an eye on it. Any worrying symptoms see a gp pronto. HPA don't recommend the use of prophylactic antibiotics routinely.

As your dd has already had Lyme though I would talk to your gp about it.

Oh do be careful but if you got it out cleanly and promptly there is little to worry about. Could it have been in longer than 24 hours?
It's best to have a special tick remover if it happens again and tonight I had to improvise by cutting a V in a credit card. It's important not to squeeze the tick so don't use tweezers for example.
Dds Symptoms didn't show for a month or so and early treatment is important. She got a typical circular rash but not everyone does. And got very feverish . Do read up on it just to be vigilant as it's on the increase in the Uk but very likely she's fine espec if you found it earlier than I did! (When dd got Lyme I never saw the tick as it was on her head)

I don't know if I did or not, I've never even seen a tick before! They are warned at school against going in the long grass (they have a small area of woods at the end of the playground, and there are lots of deer around here), so she could realistically have picked it up at any time, it was in her armpit.
I just didn't even think, I just wanted to get it out (and she was freaking out once I'd spotted it) so pulled it out (it was well attached) and threw it away. It was only afterwards that I even thought of lyme disease. I looked up pics and I THINK it looked like a nymph and possibly like it hadn't fed. The site where it was attached is still sore but no rash yet. I'm monitoring her closely!

It sounds like it wasn't in too long which is good! As far as I know deer ticks are the suspect ones which are no bigger than a sesame seed (dog ticks get much bigger and I've been bitten by loads no problem).
In your shoes I'd just be extra vigilant no temperature or illness in a few weeks as by then it's easy not to make a connection!

Oh sorry I read too quickly and missed could have been anytime. Just be extra careful keeping an eye on her!

Yes it was tiny, definitely a deer tick. She's had a temperature this weekend but also a sore throat so figured that was OK (she's back to normal today). Maybe I'll just take her to the docs to be on the safe side anyway.

Yes if you're at all concerned I would. Also I found Lyme Disease Action (or Awareness?) invaluable

Thanks looseleaf, I will and I've just ordered myself a tick removal tool. Are you going to take yours to the docs as well?

I think i will but was only at the GP today and he's going to think me a right pain! we've spent all evening looking up info, appraising how engorged our tick is (not very) and part of me feels we could leave it and just keep a close eye on dd. but I'd rather see him as dd was ill for months when had it (7 months ) and hopefully he'll understand my caution now