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Original poster

Tick bite on ds in very sensitive area. Panicked

46 replies

Sumshinebound · 11/02/2024 22:07

Hi all, need some help staying calm and balanced about this. Please no scare stories. Just hoping for a bit of mumsnet support.

Ds was crying in pain this morning saying my 'Willy is hurting' he's 4.5. I checked and there was something black stick out of his balls sack. Sorry to be graffic! I thought it might be dried blood I had no idea. I'm sorry to say I tried to brush it off and wipe it but it didn't budge. Then my husband came with tweazers and got it straight out and it was intact and alive. We put it in plastic ziplock. And took him to hospital as had no idea what to do. It looked like a dear tick. It wasn't engorged but has the marking and black legs.

Anyway the nurse said nothing to worry about and just monitor.

My friends as saying they were given preventative antibiotics for their kids when this happened. I don't know how long it was on but likely less than 36 hours - I hope. But can't be sure.

He's been a bit unwell this last week and complains of aches and there is a chance it's bitten him elsewhere and we just don't know it. They don't always get a rash. We frequently go for country walks and it is possible it's been lurking for a bit longer than a day or two. Gawd.

I've got a private GP appointment tomorrow as a back up as the nurse was very quick and dismissive and I want a second opinion.

I do understand that we can't give antibiotics every time we are worried about something but I did aggravate the thing by trying to pull at it and wipe it off which I've read can encourage discharge.

So not sure what to do. I suspect the GP will offer the option of preventing antibiotics to be safe as he's young and I did the wrong thing with the tick.

What would you do?

I don't want to mess up his microbiome but equally much more concerned about Lyme. Thanks for reading x

OP posts:
Hiddenvoice · 11/02/2024 22:10

It’s good you’ve got a gp appointment tomorrow, I would also book one to double check it.

Keep an eye on it for a bullring shaped rash and any cold/ flu symptoms. It might not happen straight away but over the course of a week or so. Hopefully the gp will give you some antibiotics.

Original poster
Sumshinebound · 11/02/2024 22:12

I should add that there is the option to wait and see of course but my issue with that is that I have heard of people taking months to develop symptoms by which time you lose the best window to get the antibiotics working before it spreads.

I don't want to be overly dramatic but my gut is telling me antibiotics. Also because he's been really out of sorts this last week and complaining of unusual symptoms.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sumshinebound · 11/02/2024 22:13

Hiddenvoice · 11/02/2024 22:10

It’s good you’ve got a gp appointment tomorrow, I would also book one to double check it.

Keep an eye on it for a bullring shaped rash and any cold/ flu symptoms. It might not happen straight away but over the course of a week or so. Hopefully the gp will give you some antibiotics.

Thanks so much!! I think it's the right thing to do x

OP posts:
justasking111 · 11/02/2024 22:14

Our GPs gives antibiotics because we live in a heavy tick zone and if people have been in those areas and had a tick bite they're very cautious.

ChrisPPancake · 11/02/2024 22:16

Are you/were you in a known Lyme area?

Preventative meds given as a matter of course in some areas, other areas are more watch and wait.

Apollo365 · 11/02/2024 22:17

I’d take the antibiotics.
He’s only small. Good luck with the appt tomorrow

BruFord · 11/02/2024 22:18

A few years ago we went for a walk in some woods and when I took a bath that evening, I discovered a huge tick in my knee!! DH pulled it out with tweezers and I did the same as you-made a GP’s appointment ASAP. She prescribed a couple of enormous pills (seriously, I’ve never seen such big ones 😂) to prevent Lyme Disease and everything was fine.

Don’t worry, OP, you’ve done exactly the right thing. He’ll be fine. 💐

Original poster
Sumshinebound · 11/02/2024 22:19

ChrisPPancake · 11/02/2024 22:16

Are you/were you in a known Lyme area?

Preventative meds given as a matter of course in some areas, other areas are more watch and wait.

Edited

I'm not sure. We're in Guildford and go for walks around the area and sometimes Sussex. On the map Lyme is here but not a hot spot. It's not a very clear map though!

OP posts:
Original poster
Sumshinebound · 11/02/2024 22:20

Apollo365 · 11/02/2024 22:17

I’d take the antibiotics.
He’s only small. Good luck with the appt tomorrow

Thank you. Yes that's my feeling although my dh is more keen to watch and wait

OP posts:
Original poster
Sumshinebound · 11/02/2024 22:21

BruFord · 11/02/2024 22:18

A few years ago we went for a walk in some woods and when I took a bath that evening, I discovered a huge tick in my knee!! DH pulled it out with tweezers and I did the same as you-made a GP’s appointment ASAP. She prescribed a couple of enormous pills (seriously, I’ve never seen such big ones 😂) to prevent Lyme Disease and everything was fine.

Don’t worry, OP, you’ve done exactly the right thing. He’ll be fine. 💐

Thank you!! Glad all ok for you xx

OP posts:
NewYearNewCalendar · 11/02/2024 22:22

If they offer antibiotics I’d take them, but it does depend on your area.

Beamur · 11/02/2024 22:23

Few years ago now but I took a tick off DD - it was a high risk area but local GP said watch and wait.
All was fine. But I can understand your anxiety.

Bakedbeansandtoast · 11/02/2024 22:24

We live in a very high tick area with known lymes disease. I couldn't count the number of ticks we each get each year. DD has had Lyme's once. The antibiotics for it are vicious - three weeks of Amoxicillin. It was grim. Obviously I'm glad it cured the Lyme's but a tick with no bullseye rash that you had managed to remove whole really wouldn't put me up nor down. There are times when we're pulling out three or four a day! In the future though, use a proper tick remover (the ones you get from the vets are the best) to ensure it doesn't snap part way out.

Original poster
Sumshinebound · 11/02/2024 22:27

Bakedbeansandtoast · 11/02/2024 22:24

We live in a very high tick area with known lymes disease. I couldn't count the number of ticks we each get each year. DD has had Lyme's once. The antibiotics for it are vicious - three weeks of Amoxicillin. It was grim. Obviously I'm glad it cured the Lyme's but a tick with no bullseye rash that you had managed to remove whole really wouldn't put me up nor down. There are times when we're pulling out three or four a day! In the future though, use a proper tick remover (the ones you get from the vets are the best) to ensure it doesn't snap part way out.

Thank you this is so helpful. Need to weigh it all up and see what doctor says tomrrow. It's so hard when they can't advocate for themselves our kids so we have to make these decisions. I'm probably being overly anxious. If I hadn't have provoked it so much and if he didn't have all these weird symptoms over the week. I'd be less worried. Tough one x

OP posts:
Bakedbeansandtoast · 11/02/2024 22:29

What size was it? If it was still small it only burrowed recently. They can't burrow more than once on the same person and it would take a couple of weeks for symptoms to start. See what the doc says tomorrow but as a seasoned tickker, I wouldn't be overly anxious (and I say that as someone with health anxiety in lots of areas!). Hope you get a good sleep and don't worry tonight!

Original poster
Sumshinebound · 11/02/2024 22:32

Bakedbeansandtoast · 11/02/2024 22:29

What size was it? If it was still small it only burrowed recently. They can't burrow more than once on the same person and it would take a couple of weeks for symptoms to start. See what the doc says tomorrow but as a seasoned tickker, I wouldn't be overly anxious (and I say that as someone with health anxiety in lots of areas!). Hope you get a good sleep and don't worry tonight!

Hi that's so helpful!! Thank you. It wasn't engorged - I don't think. It was an adult it seems as it wasn't tiny tiny but didn't look engorged like the pics so that is a bit reassuring. Just worried I may have encouraged it to vomit in him which can release the toxin. But who knows I'll have to ask the GP.

Need to stay calm :) much better than I was earlier today. X

OP posts:
rainrainSummerornot · 11/02/2024 22:40

My son had two ticks removed we saw the GP- no bulls eye rash but GP gave the guidance treatment of 3 weeks antibiotics as was a known Lyme area.

Lymes can cause problems much later in life, so would push for the course now if you can.

AKAsomeoneelse · 11/02/2024 22:40

I’d definitely ask for antibiotics if it was my child just err on the side of caution.

BruFord · 11/02/2024 22:43

I don know why I was just given two massive pills instead of three weeks of antibiotics, but I completely agree with the other posters that it’s better to err on the side of caution and take the antibiotics.

ilovebreadsauce · 11/02/2024 22:46

Sumshinebound · 11/02/2024 22:27

Thank you this is so helpful. Need to weigh it all up and see what doctor says tomrrow. It's so hard when they can't advocate for themselves our kids so we have to make these decisions. I'm probably being overly anxious. If I hadn't have provoked it so much and if he didn't have all these weird symptoms over the week. I'd be less worried. Tough one x

Show quote history

The GP will make the decision not you.

bouncydramatics · 11/02/2024 23:58

We're not 15 mins down the road from Guildford and weren't given antibiotics when my DC had a tick. She's fine.

I know that doesn't mean anything but just thought I'd share

AelinAshriver · 12/02/2024 01:00

How is DS today, OP? Please do update us on the GP :)

Boomboomshakeshaketheroom · 12/02/2024 01:05

Bakedbeansandtoast · 11/02/2024 22:24

We live in a very high tick area with known lymes disease. I couldn't count the number of ticks we each get each year. DD has had Lyme's once. The antibiotics for it are vicious - three weeks of Amoxicillin. It was grim. Obviously I'm glad it cured the Lyme's but a tick with no bullseye rash that you had managed to remove whole really wouldn't put me up nor down. There are times when we're pulling out three or four a day! In the future though, use a proper tick remover (the ones you get from the vets are the best) to ensure it doesn't snap part way out.

I was going to say similar - my DS had no ill effect from a couple of ticks, but ended in in hospital with complications caused by the antibiotics.

TempleOfBloom · 12/02/2024 01:12

Bakedbeansandtoast · 11/02/2024 22:24

We live in a very high tick area with known lymes disease. I couldn't count the number of ticks we each get each year. DD has had Lyme's once. The antibiotics for it are vicious - three weeks of Amoxicillin. It was grim. Obviously I'm glad it cured the Lyme's but a tick with no bullseye rash that you had managed to remove whole really wouldn't put me up nor down. There are times when we're pulling out three or four a day! In the future though, use a proper tick remover (the ones you get from the vets are the best) to ensure it doesn't snap part way out.

Would you mind saying roughly where you live? I am neurotically tick avoidant…

sarsaparillatree · 12/02/2024 01:20

Bakedbeansandtoast · 11/02/2024 22:24

We live in a very high tick area with known lymes disease. I couldn't count the number of ticks we each get each year. DD has had Lyme's once. The antibiotics for it are vicious - three weeks of Amoxicillin. It was grim. Obviously I'm glad it cured the Lyme's but a tick with no bullseye rash that you had managed to remove whole really wouldn't put me up nor down. There are times when we're pulling out three or four a day! In the future though, use a proper tick remover (the ones you get from the vets are the best) to ensure it doesn't snap part way out.

Ditto with us, though luckily none of us has caught Lyme's yet (though next door neighbour had it).
I traipse through long grass at least one a week spring to autumn (nature survey volunteer). Insect repellant didn't seem to do much good. However last year I tried one of the chemicals that you spray on clothes without much hope of success and didn't get a single tick bite after. Amazing - I still don't quite believe it 🤔This is the stuff - follow the instructions carefully - I hung my clothes outside on the washing line to treat them. https://sawyereurope.com/insect-repellent/sawyer-sp649-permethrin-insect-repellent-treatment-spray-for-clothing-gear-and-tents-370ml-12oz

Sawyer Europe - Sawyer SP649 - PERMETHRIN INSECT REPELLENT TREATMENT SPRAY FOR CLOTHING GEAR AND TENTS 370ml / 12oz

Sawyer Europe are the sole distributor of Sawyer Water Filters, Insect Repellents and Sunscreen Products in the UK and Europe

https://sawyereurope.com/insect-repellent/sawyer-sp649-permethrin-insect-repellent-treatment-spray-for-clothing-gear-and-tents-370ml-12oz