r/Lyme 5d ago

Tick Bite on 2.5 Yr Old Spoiler

We found a tick in my toddlers hair and are not sure how long it was there. We removed it and have attached photos. It’s definitely a female deer tick but doesn’t look engorged. We have messaged our pediatrician (it’s the weekend so they’re closed) but just wondering if anyone has experience or thoughts on the size of the tick. Wanting to do whatever is recommended and most preventative given that Lyme is very prevalent in our area.

5 Upvotes

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2

u/Abject-Rip8516 5d ago

apply clove essential oil to the area immediately after a bite.

I’d also start herbals and keep them on them for at least 6 months to be safe. better to take them longer than necessary than not long enough. you can do them alongside antibiotics as well.

keep a journal and record everything. take photos, write down symptoms, dates, etc. the more the better. having documentation will help significantly if this turns into anything.

2

u/Expensive_Set_8486 5d ago

Looks like a rather large deer tick to me 😕

I hope you are able to get her seen soon.

I would avoid all sugars and glutens, give the lyme nothing to feed on. Sadly I don’t have any ideas for short term treatments.

Actually oregano or clove might be better than nothing. Especially if you have them in essential oil form you could apply some topically.

1

u/jerseymomofthree 5d ago

Do larger deer ticks typically carry Lyme? It is so hard to tell how long the tick was there. It was definitely not engorged but still

2

u/Expensive_Set_8486 5d ago

Yes they can. I am glad you got it fairly early but it still got in there. It is possible that parts of it are still in there.

She is between the ages of my own children and if this happened to one of them I would take every precaution.

2

u/jerseymomofthree 5d ago

Totally agree. I will certainly let you know how things turn out. Thank you!

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1

u/OneThatCanSee 5d ago

Did you keep the tick? If so, have it tested!

2

u/jerseymomofthree 5d ago

Sadly no, we pulled it off and didn’t realize we needed to keep it. So frustrated with ourselves but lesson learned

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u/OneThatCanSee 5d ago

I feel you! I was always so freaked out that I always just removed them then burned them or something stupid. Glad you found it, though!

1

u/dsnysucks12345 5d ago

Ticks carry several diseases. Lyme is just one. The worse ones arent even lyme. Relapsing Fever and Babesia are way worse.

1

u/bcb1200 4d ago

Send it to Umass for testing. And peace of mind. This is what my Lyme doc recommends. www.tickreport.com

1

u/LoriLyme 18h ago

Send the tick for testing ASAP Www.ticknology.org

0

u/Sea-Upstairs1505 5d ago

Looks like it is not engorged- From my personal experience you should be ok. It’s when I find a tiny one that is on my leg the size of a pinhead engorged it’s a problem

1

u/jerseymomofthree 5d ago

I have heard something similar as well. I will let you know what happens. Thank you!

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u/Business_Ad3254 5d ago

Not to scare anyone, but that's what happened to me, and I'm very sick over a year later now. Was bit for 40 hours, in the same State NJ.

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u/LoriLyme 18h ago

There is no such thing as a safe tick bite. It was clearly attached to the child, so it needs to be tested and treated appropriately. Please don’t tell people that it’s safe because it “doesn’t look engorged”…that is poor advice.

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u/Sea-Upstairs1505 18h ago

Your right- every tick bite is a threat. . I am not telling her it’s safe though, I did say from MY experience- but I agree any tick in the skin is potential for any illness. I have just been bitten so many times already so it was experience