A question about ticks...

[megan4777]

I found a tick on DD's (she's 3) hairline this morning, behind her ear. I'm thinking she got it while on the preschool playground yesterday.
I tried to pull it out and part of it wouldn't budge so we headed to the pediatrician.

The dr was wonderful and tried to get the rest of the tick out, but couldn't, and he said it'll come out on it's own within the next week or so.
I need to watch for the bullseye and wash where the tick is with soap and water.

My dh thought that they would've given her some sort of antibiotic or something "just in case."

Is this all there is to it? We just wash it, wait for it to fall out and watch for a bullseye?

I always thought that this was more serious and I've been a wreck all morning...

sorry to babble on and on but does anyone have any experience with tick bites?
Thanks

 

[Hedy]

Pretty much. The larger ticks tend not to carry Lyme Disease, so just watch it. Also, watch for weird things in addition to the bullseye-I'm allergic to tick bites, so I once had something resembling a large mosquito bite where the tick was.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Tick Bites

How can I avoid tick bites?
If you are planning an outdoor activity, especially those in a heavily wooded area, it is important to follow a few simple precautions to protect yourself from tick bites.



Wear long sleeved, light-colored clothing, with tightly woven fabric. This gives ticks less area to target and allows you to see ticks on your clothing.

When traveling through the woods or grassy fields, stay near the center of the trails. At home, make sure that you keep your lawn mowed and bushes and trees trimmed as short as possible.

If you choose to apply tick repellents, such as those containing DEET, try to avoid spraying them directly to your bare skin. (high concentrations of DEET may have harmful effects on the nervous system.) Apply the spray to your clothing, socks, shoes, tents and backpacks.

When returning from the outdoors, check for ticks. Be especially observant of hair, body folds, ears, underarms and the back. Check your clothes and gear for ticks and wash these items immediately.

What if I have been bitten by a tick?
If you discover a tick, remove it immediately. The longer the tick feeds, the greater chance that it can transmit its bacteria to you. The easiest removal method is to use a pair of tweezers, grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible, and gently pull the tick off. Then, thoroughly wash your hands and the bite area with rubbing alcohol to prevent transmission to other areas of your body.

When should I call the doctor?
It is best to wait and see whether you develop any signs or symptoms. If a large red mark forms around the tick bite or if you develop fever, flu-like symptoms, rash, or more severe illness, contact your doctor right away. Your doctor can determine whether these symptoms might be caused by a tick-borne disease, and whether antibiotics will be needed.

Is there a vaccine for preventing tick-borne disease in humans?
Currently there are vaccines being tested, but there are no guarantees that they will be effective. The best option is to take precautions so that tick bites do not occur in the first place.

 

[juligrl]

I found a tick on DD's (she's 3) hairline this morning, behind her ear. I'm thinking she got it while on the preschool playground yesterday.
I tried to pull it out and part of it wouldn't budge so we headed to the pediatrician.

The dr was wonderful and tried to get the rest of the tick out, but couldn't, and he said it'll come out on it's own within the next week or so.
I need to watch for the bullseye and wash where the tick is with soap and water.

My dh thought that they would've given her some sort of antibiotic or something "just in case."

Is this all there is to it? We just wash it, wait for it to fall out and watch for a bullseye?

I always thought that this was more serious and I've been a wreck all morning...

sorry to babble on and on but does anyone have any experience with tick bites?
Thanks

The only experience I've had with a tick was on my dog. The little sucker had a pretty good grip, but my vet said they hate soap so just soap it up real good and keep at it til the bug let go (minutes not days). It worked. I guess it's different for humans and ticks though ?

 

[chris1gill]

For next time (if there is a next time), put a gob of vaseline over the tick.... the tick will not be able to breath and will back ITSELF out of the skin, when he's backed up a bit on his own, use a pair of tweezers to grab him & then promptly destroy him (ok, that was my part), but that should do you for next time & always be on the lookout for the bullseye or anything suspicious.... I despise ticks like you have NO IDEA...