Freaking out here. Tick bite? Photo attached

[Realitea]

Fell asleep in the garden hammock today for an hour so this must be where I got it. Despite wearing a jumper and trousers, I noticed this thing attached to my chest just now. I got it off in a panic, then realised it must be a tick and I should have used tweezers
I’ve now got a pink bump. What do I need to do now? Can they cause an allergic reaction? Do I need antibiotics?

I'm really pleased to hear that your GP has taken it seriously and has advised that you take precautions.

3 weeks of antibiotics is not going to destroy your immune system. It's a good idea to take a strong multi-strain probiotic to replenish gut bacteria though. Make sure you take it a few hours away from the antibiotics.

Ok. Thank you, I’ll get some. I feel quite relieved. Also I read that it can help rosacea which is a bonus

I hated them when the dogs got them. They had big bulbous bodies gorged with blood, no head as was buried inside the flesh and the legs would move. Looked like something alien. Yuck .
We gave the dogs pills that were not only for fleas but also for ticks, but don't think for human consumption[grin
Luckily DH and I never got them. They seem to prefer hairy dogs.

Good luck.

Take care with the doxycycline, OP. In case you, like me, are somewhat remiss at reading medicine inserts, here are two bits of advice:
a) take care in the sun as doxycycline can cause extreme photosensitivity. I caught the sun briefly at the start of my course and ended up with awful burning, stinging sensations in my fingers and face for a couple of months afterwards. Not an uncommon side effect, so cover up.
b) don't take on an empty stomach OR lying down. I honestly thought I'd burnt out my oesophagus after taking a dose just before lying down for a nap. It was terrifying, so painful!
Good luck, OP!

Thanks for the advice. I’ve remembered not to lie down too soon! I’ve had about four doses of it now and I’m really starting to feel a bit grim. Hives, headache, tired, nausea.. I was wondering whether to speak to the doctor again or just carry on taking them.

Also it said in the leaflet that a single dose of 100mg is needed for tick bites but I’ve been put on three weeks of 200mg a day

I regularly pull 3 or 4 a night off my mountain-biking husband. We live in the highlands. As long as you get them all off intact you should be fine. If he had to get antibiotics every time he got one, he’d be on antibiotics every week from April to October!

If you live in a tick prone area pop into any pet shop or vet and pick up a tick removal tool.
Don't put alcohol or anything on the tick before removal.

I think I do live in a prone area unfortunately. Lots of deer in the garden which is where I got it so the doctor said it’s highly possible the tick could be carrying Lyme disease. I do wonder whether I need a whole three week course of antibiotics though.

Definitely complete your course of antibiotics now you've started it -antibiotic resistance is a pet worry if mine
I hope you feel better soon!

I will... even though they make me feel really yuck. Just started another thread about it!

Funnily enough we picked an enormous one off the cat today! Poor cat was not amused. Hope you feel better soon OP.

If my kids or husband took antibiotics any time one of them got a tick bite, one or other of them would be antibiotics constantly.

I would say ask your GP as my dd got bitten , didn’t know it and we had a mad dash to a a and e when she came up in a huge painful bullseye rash and developed a fever.

I think I might ask tomorrow on the phone. The bite didn’t develop a rash but other bites that weren’t tick bites have. I feel rotten. I was fine before I started these antibiotics. I want to go back to feeling well again!

before you pull with tweezers, douse the area really well with perfume or aftershave and leave for a minute or two. It makes the tick loosen its grip and you can pull it out much more easily.

DO NOT DO THIS!

If you distress the tick by applying alcohol / burning etc it will regurgitate everything in it, into you, making it far more likely to pass on infection.

🤢
I was lucky really, without knowing what it was, I sort of scraped it out in one piece. (Shudder)

If the ABs are making you feel sick, take them with or just after food.

It’s more the tiredness and by 4pm I just want to go to bed. I’ve read the info that comes in the pack that for tick bites, a single dose is all that’s required. On Lyme disease U.K. it says no antibiotics needed unless a rash or illness starts.
I’m really not sure if I should be taking them!