Possible Lyme disease - 4 year old DS

[frozenorangejuice]

About 4-5 days ago I noticed a large red bug bite on the top of my DS foot. This morning it looks like a bullseye. We live near a deer park and have spent time there recently. I’m thinking tick bite (but never saw the tick, and my DS said he didn’t see it either). It’s not itchy and he has no fever. We’re sitting waiting to be seen at a walk-in centre. Am I overreacting? Everything I read online says it’s Lyme when a bullseye rash appears and 21 days of doxycycline is needed (which I’m fine with, if nexessary). Anyone have any experience of this?

Just attaching another pic as it wouldn’t upload on my earlier post.

It’s a few years ago but I had a bullseye rash, again no sign of a tic. They didn’t test or anything, the rash itself is enough for them to prescribe, I can’t remember how long the course of antibiotics was and they did make me feel a little bleurgh but of course so much better than developing Lyme disease.

my rash looked a little different, the affected area was much larger, but hopefully whoever you are will know if it’s a bullseye or not. You are doing the right thing for your little lad.

Sorry, mean whoever you are seeing will know if it’s a bullseye rash or not!

Thanks @Mediumred - got a bit of a shock seeing it this morning when I was getting him ready to go out. At least it’s today and not next Monday when he starts school! Hopefully we will be seen soon and we can get the antibiotics.

This happened to me a few months ago. Interestingly to have Lyme disease you don't necessarily need to have the bullseye and not every does get it. I had seen the tick and removed it with a tick stick thing. Anyway I panicked and posted on here and got some lovely advice. My GP gave me a course of antibiotics which made me feel really tired and washed out and really sick at times.

Hope your wee one is ok op 💐

Could also be a horsefly bite. Either way, it needs checking so you’re in the right place. Hope he’s okay!

I took doxy as an adult just be aware it causes light sensitivity. I was sunburned in minutes on a chilly autumn day.

That does look more like a horsefly bite to me but I’d get it checked at the pharmacy.

Thankyou @Willowthewispy - and sorry to hear you were poorly on the ABs. Can I ask how long your course was?

@womaninatightspot Thankyou - that’s reminded me that I got a horsefly bite a few years ago. I only realised I was being bitten as my DH pointed it out to me on my arm and that I was also bleeding. Gross!

I think it was 3/4 weeks. The positive was I slept really well at night where normally my sleep is terrible. As above you need to watch the sun and completely cover up as you are at increased risk of sunburn. I still sat out in the garden reading my book with a big floppy hat on and a cardigan and was fine.

Thanks @Willowthewispy - fingers crossed we can get the medication soon and be on our way home.

Could be Lyme, might not be. When I’ve seen it (DH has had it, and a random person last time I was in the walk in) it’s been much larger and almost like an angry red ring with a paler centre around the spot. They might treat anyway just in case, but you’d be quite likely to notice a tick there I think.

that said, a friend’s child did have Lyme and they didn’t know about any tick bite, he eventually had facial paralysis (and a positive blood test for Lyme)

Bloody hell - that’s awful. I would definitely like him to have the ABs if that’s what it could lead to! Are they ok now do you know?

Definitely looks like Lyme's to me. We live in a high tick/Lyme's area and DD had it last year and various family members this year. They usually give children Amoxicillin rather than Doxy so it's easier on the stomach but three weeks of meds. If you do get antibiotics (they might decide to blood test first) get a strong probiotic, it hugely helped DD's tummy. Highly recommend Bioglan chocoballs.

Thanks so much for this advice @BergamotandLime - he’s been prescribed amoxicillin for 21 days. Heading to get it and some probiotics now!

Yes he made a full and swift recovery.

Good you got him checked out. I was successfully treated for Lyme disease a few years back, after presenting with the bulls eye rash (I knocked the tick off my skin by accident, so it was pretty definitive)
The AB made me feel a bit icky, but they worked and I’ve been fine since. I know someone who wasn’t treated and suffers some long term effects. Always better to seek treatment ❤️

Thanks everyone. Feeling relieved tonight. Took all day to get him seen and get the antibiotics but well worth the wait!

My DD was around 6 when she had a huge bullseye rash and she was given antibiotics for 21 days.
We had to collect a new round of bottles every few days to keep in the fridge. She was absolutely fine physically but it was hard going getting the sheer amount of liquid in 3 times a day for 3 weeks!
Hope your DS manages and gets well soon

Thankyou @AhhSlippedOnMahBeansRitaaa - I’m popping back to Boots on Saturday to get another two bottles and then a fourth and final one the week after. Luckily my DS really likes the taste of amoxicillin and we call it ‘banana juice’ at home so I’m thankful for that. Glad your DD is ok! Always doing something to worry us aren’t they?!

This does not look like the standard Lyme disease bull eye rash. It's just swollen and red.

Bulleye rash is when it is normal cour near the bite and then there is a red halo further away.

It could just be a mosquito bite.

Thanks, but it’s been seen in person by a clinician and they believe it to be a tick bite, and I’ve compared it to images online and it very clearly is a bullseye mark. He’s having antibiotic treatment.