Lyme disease children - no rash, and months later

[Lucyluwhereareyou]

We went on holiday to a very Lyme disease-y area in the summer and DS got bitten by a tick. The hotel staff helped me take it out and I asked if I needed to see the doctor and they said not if there’s no rash.

No rash occurred but the area sort of scarred. There’s a tiny lump there now (6/8 months later) and a tiny black dot. I don’t know what that’s all about. (But there was never a rash at any point.)

DS has been complaining (looking back) about being tired more than usual, and lately he keeps saying he feels a bit faint.

Obviously it could be completely unrelated, but I caught sight of the bite mark today while wondering why DS wasn’t quite himself and immediately thought: holy crap, what if it’s Lyme disease?

I read that it’s hard to diagnose and that antibiotics won’t work six months later.

Can anyone advise how I can get him tested? I’ve seen at home tests, but surely the GP will send off for a blood test? How reliable are they? Anyone / or anyone’s child have Lyme disease diagnosed 6-8 months after the bite?

A bit terrified right now!

I wonder if the small black dot is still the head left in tact under the skin.
NHS test is very unreliable, i’ve had it and it was negative (I also had no rash) I went to a private clinic that specialises in Lyme disease and tests were sent off to specialist clinics Amercia and Germany and it was positive. Most NHS doctors are not “lyme literate” so definitely go for second opinion if symptoms continue. P.s the rash is only present in some cases, certainly not all.

Thank you for your reply! How long after the bite did you get diagnosed? I am tempted to go straight to a specialist clinic. Do you mind telling me which one you used?

I might be being paranoid, but it’s strange that there’s a black dot (yes I wonder if it’s the head still there?! Oh crikey!) where he had the bite, and that he’s just been a bit “off” for a while.

How is it going for you? Is there a cure at a later stage? All I read is that it’s harder.

I was diagnosed & treated 3 months post bite at the private clinic after the NHS kept telling me my symptoms were just “anxiety”

I also had a black dot that I pulled out weeks after the initial bite - when the penny dropped it was still part of the head left inside.

I spoke to a lot of people with Lymes at the clinic, many of which were treating it for the first time 10-20 years after being bitten, after such a long time it is then difficult to get rid of. I believe 6-8 months post bite, would still considered be considered catching it fairly early and there is a great chance of full recovery.

I am nearly 1 year post bite, after several antibiotic treatments I am completely fine now.

I was treated at Breakspear Medical in Hemel Hempstead by Dr Mohammad. He is a Lyme disease specialist in the UK.

All the best to your son, hope he makes a full recovery soon ❤️

I’m so glad to hear you’re completely fine now! I have just emailed them to book an appointment to get him tested. Thank you so much for this recommendation!

Hi, I was diagnosed 5 months after the bite. I had no rash, but definite flu like symptoms, which made me feel just horrendous for months. The doctor diagnosed me via a blood test, and I was prescribed 3 weeks of antibiotics. I feel absolutely fine now. I think as pp said, 6 months is still classed as early.

Hope you get somewhere, and that he's better soon.

How did you take it out? We've had tics on us and pets and if you take it out correctly (use a tic remover) the thing is still completely intact and alive - I watch them crawling around *shudders
Black dot is suspicious so def worth a follow up.

DH and the hotel receptionist took it out so I’m not sure - although I think tweezers. But it swelled up after (although no rash) and I’m pretty sure now that it wasn’t removed properly!

He doesn’t feel awful, but has been complaining of things that aren’t like him: tiredness, light-headedness, aching legs, for a few months. He’s also quicker to cry than usual. I’m not sure if I’m looking for things but something is a little off with him, and the tick bite surely shouldn’t still be a scar all these months later? For my own peace of mind, I really want to get it checked!

@Lucyluwhereareyou Hi I wonder if you had the tests back? My DD was bitten recently and has a cold. My hunch is that is just a cold but am a little worried!

@ponderingthisthing - did you manage to fully remove the tick? Preferably with a tick remover? We live in a high tick area and bites are a daily occurrence throughout the spring and summer. DD had Lymes a couple of years ago. It happened when we found a tick that wasn't discovered for 48hrs or so. She had a definite raised rash that the GP refused to believe was Lymes. It then spread significantly and she had a huge bulls eye. Three weeks of amoxicillin later and she's been fine ever since. Treatment didn't start until three months post bite as the GP didn't believe it could be Lymes.