Tick bite

whether it is a tick bite or not, anything that looks like that needs antibiotics, as it is obviously infected.
never delay seeking medical attention for anything that looks like that.
i have become aware of this since seeing gallloping soft tissue infection close up.
effects can be v serious indeed.

advanced nurse practitioner

I do wish there was more publicity given to the danger of tick bites especially as they’re getting more prevalent and the areas where ticks carry Lyme disease is spreading. My daughters just bought me some Lifesystems expedition tick repellent. Her son uses it when he’s doing his scouting stuff; last time he was out he said his friend who was wearing shorts was covered in ticks whereas he always wears long trousers. As a family we’ve been paranoid ever since I found an engorged tick attached to my leg a couple of years ago. I wasn’t given antibiotics because they said they have nasty side effects and the chance of Lyme disease was remote but I worried for afterwards about it. In retrospect I should have saved the tick as they could have tested it for Lyme disease. In all the years I’ve been walking in the countryside I’ve never had a tick on me before.

What is an ANP?

I managed to get bitten by a tick in Madeira on the last day of holiday. Got home, went to A&E at 1 am but got chucked out as there was an emergency. Went home removed tick with dog tick remover. Went to GP and to play safe she prescribed a 3 week course of special antibiotics. I was told not to drink alcohol and to keep out of sunlight.

Glad to hear they’ve given him ABs as a precaution.

Excellent result. Good to be on the safe side.

Dgs just home from surgery - ANP not 100% convinced it's a tick bite but has given him a 3 week course of antibiotics as a precaution.

Thanks for your input/suggestions

I would insist on antibiotics. If it is a tick bite it could be Lyme Disease. My son was bitten by a tick and was very poorly indeed! He was sure he had Lyme Disease and insisted on antibiotics, ( wasn't given them! ) but was given a blood test . The blood test was sent to a tropical disease centre and sure enough he had Lyme Disease! When the test results came back his GP gave him antibiotics - 3 months supply!!?.He was very lucky indeed not to have life changing conditions, was so ill, if antibiotics had been given sooner my son would not have been so ill!
A tick bite does not always have the bulls eye marking. Don't wish to scare you and of course this may not be a tick bite, but forewarned is forearmed!!!

Make sure he the bite is checked thoroughly to rule out Lyme Disease.

Think he’s got an appointment today so all should be well

Do let know what happens then we can all learn from it. So often we never know the result.

I know that a bulls eye appearance can be indicative of a tick bite, but probably not always.

I carry a tick remover tool on my keyring, but fortunately I have never needed it.

I hope you find the answer and solution soon.

Is this in the UK?
Has he been playing in long grass?
If it IS a tick bite he should have it checked by a nurse as there's a (very very slight) chance he could develop 'tick borne fever', its extremely rare so don't panic.

Redhead56

If it is it's needs the tiny spike from the bit taken out it's like a splinter usually done with tweezers.

You should only remove ticks with the special tools to get the whole body out, available from pharmacies, vets etc.
I think this is right, or there’s a risk of leaving part of it in.

It's best to err on the side of caution especially if he has been running through long grass. He should get antibiotics.

If it is it's needs the tiny spike from the bit taken out it's like a splinter usually done with tweezers.

Could be cellulitis? Always a good idea to highlight the red area to check any increase/decrease.

I'm glad. It certainly looks infected

Thanks grandmabatty - dd has managed to get an appointment with APN later today.

Yes. I think it does. He really should seek medical attention