Help! Just pulled two TICKS off my leg and panicking about Lyme disease.

[IHeartKingThistle]

Went for a long walk last night which involved long grass and woodland. There are cows and I think deer in the area.

Just noticed and removed 2 small ticks from my leg so I guess they've been on me 15 hours. I'm panicking because I know of someone in the area who did get Lyme disease recently, so it is about near here.

What do I do???

[T0R1]

You should go to the doctors as soon as possible. The sooner Lyme's disease is caught the better. I have dogs and I'm frequently using the tick remover on them and have increased their flea and tick stuff to more powerful stuff. When I walk them through overgrown stuff I have everything covered as there are so many deer around here.

I would recommend you drop everything and go to a walk in clinic or whatever you've got around. Have you still got the ticks? I believe it's something like 1 in 5 ticks carry Lyme's disease. However don't panic too much because that sounds a lot higher than needs worrying about. But go to a doctor.

[Looseleaf]

You can test the ticks for Lyme borellia if that helps, costs about £60 each . I've done this a couple of times after removing them safely and they were ok and it took about 2 weeks for results

[museumum]

On summer amp in the U.S. we always marked the site of a tick removal with a permanent pen. Generally by the time it washed off, if there's no rash it is ok. We also kept the ticks - sellotaped to a card with the date on it.

[museumum]

The nhs website is very informative www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Lyme-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Looks like your GP won't do anything in the absence of any symptoms at all, but you should look out for any symptom.

[IHeartKingThistle]

Thanks!

I've called 111 who told me to watch out for symptoms in the next 4 weeks!!! Lots of info on website so will keep an eye.

Fingers crossed - I really could do with not getting ill!

[Looseleaf]

Yes do be vigilant if you feel ill or get a fever or anything- I've heard only a third or so of people get a rash (dd had it and did get a strong bulls eye rash which helped)

[hellomynameis]

You can test the ticks for Lyme borellia if that helps, costs about £60 each

Well you've been ripped off by £120.

[Highlandbird]

I would just keep an eye out for symptoms and go to the doctor if you get any. I think if you get the tick off within 24 hours you should be fine anyway but I might have that wrong. Did you remove it properly, head and all?
We would be at the doctors every week if we were tested for every tick bite there are loads here and it is something in the back of my mind. I did get a bullseye rash once and was prescribed antibiotics without any testing.

[anotherdayanothersquabble]

Good information on here. Ticks need to be attached for at least 36 hours before they release the bacteria causing Lyme's.

[IHeartKingThistle]

Really? That's hopeful!

[Theonlyoneiknow]

Some useful info here

www.highland.gov.uk/news/article/8780/tooled_up_for_tick_time

[IHeartKingThistle]

Coming back on this thread to ask for advice again.

DH was ill with an upset stomach on Friday. I had a mild upset stomach on Sunday. DD was sick 3 times yesterday.

Today, DH is fine, DD feels fine (though is quarantined!)and I feel awful. But my stomach is OK now. I feel fluey, achy and so so weak and tired. DH did not get aches when he was ill.

How do I know if this is DH's bug or if I need to go and get checked for Lyme disease? My throat aches and my neck is sore. That's not a stomach bug is it? Argh.

[thatduck]

Ticks need to be on you for 36? Hours before they pass anything to you. I get several a week and haven't caught anything

[IHeartKingThistle]

That's reassuring - I'm just panicking because I feel so fluey right now.

[BlueKarou]

Not necessarily, duck, NHS site says;
Generally, you're more likely to become infected if the tick remains attached to your skin for more than 24 hours.

IHeart you're probably absolutely fine, just under the weather and hyper aware of your symptoms because you've been on the look out for them. HOWEVER - it might be wise to book a GP appointment just in case. Much better to be sure you're just flu-y. Looks like blood tests can show false-positives for the first couple of weeks post-bite, so they might need to wait a few days before being certain you haven't got it.

Take care of yourself for the next few days; plenty of fluids and rest. Get a GP appointment booked - you can always cancel if your symptoms clear up.

[IHeartKingThistle]

Thanks Blue. Have GP booked for the morning if I need it. Camping trip booked for Thursday

[BlueKarou]

Good call. You'll be fine. Hope you feel better soon, and enjoy your camping; I'm off Friday night for a couple of nights under canvas. Fingers crossed the weather is kind!

[somersetsoul]

Ive had Lyme disease for 3 years now. I had 2 bull ring rashes and developed Bells Palsy a month after. Lyme wasnt well known then so I didnt think anything of the rashes.

Get a blood test and watch for the rash. If you get the bull ring rash you need anti biotics for at least 4 weeks. Dont let them give you 2 weeks worth. You should have 400mg as well.

Its a horrible thing to have but if you get it treated asap you should get rid of it x

[IHeartKingThistle]

3 years???? Poor you.

[somersetsoul]

I keep testing negative now or false positive. I've given up now :(

[Santanna15]

I have had Lyme Disease for over nine years. Once it gets into your system it is very difficult to eradicate from your body. This is despite having extensive antibiotic treatment. It took me over a month between getting the bite and seeking treatment, so I would definitely ask your GP for Doxycycline 400 mg for at least a month.

Feeling flu-y after a tick bite is a strong indicator to start antibiotics asap. I think you will be fine providing you get prompt treatment. Hope all goes well x

[YeOldeTrout]

Meh, DH & middle-DS pulled ticks off selves about 6 weeks ago (within minutes of attachment, Fecking bites hurt they say). We will seek treatment if any relevant symptoms appear (haven't).

[IHeartKingThistle]

Oh god Santanna that's awful. I woke up feeling a fair bit better so cancelled my appointment - wish I hadn't now! I'm guessing I had DH's bug but if I start feeling ropey again I'll definitely go. Still feel tired but not as fluey as yesterday.

Do you know how long your tick was on for? I'm kind of pinning my hopes on the fact that mine was on for less than 24 hours.

[Santanna15]

Unfortunately my tick was embedded in my arm for a couple of weeks, I was totally unaware of ticks and Lyme. I thought it was a midge bite from camping. So I think I must have had a high bacterial load.

I am much better though and I work full time etc, but I get more tired. I had a really bad few years at the beginning, not a nice illness!

If I was you I would be inclined to go to the doctor, but I am super cautious now. Many a time I have wished I could turn back the clock x

[YeOldeTrout]

Was it just a little bumpy bit under the skin, Santanna? How did you realise what it really was?