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Posted 8/19/2006 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hello All,

I have a question.....how do I know if I have been infected by a tick? a few days ago I was sitting at my computer and was scratching my neck because it felt itchy,

 

then I felt something on my neck and I though it was a mole( I don't know why I picked at it as I NEVER pick at a mole) anyways the thing fell into my lap and I noticed it had legs and was moving.

 

so I grabbed it and stuck it in a plastic bag. I know it was a tic because I looked it up on the internet. this thing when on me was clinging to me so when I pulled it off of me it actually pulled my skin with it. should I be worried that it may have bitten me? is there anything I should do?

anyhelp would be great.

 

Annie

 

Fibromyaligia, dx Oct 2004 but was just told recently 12 yrs.
Chronic fatigue Syndrome dx 1995
Anxiety/Panic attacks dx 1990
M.S. dx June 29th 2005
Anemia dx Jan 2005
Depression..lets just say for a while now.

Meds: Amitriptyline
Lorazepam
Celexa
Ferrous Glouconate
Ibuprofen 600mg

Zoloft
and soon to start on
Rebif or Avenox

I try to take one day at a time -- but sometimes several days attack me at once.

Posted 8/19/2006 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Annie

YES u should believe it bit u! If it was pulling u'r skin when u pulled it off, it sounds like it bit u. U should go ahead and see u'r doc soon...just primary should be fine...and ask about med. Check out Lyme disease online and watch to see if u notice any of the symptoms they list. It may be difficult for u to recognize since u already have the type symptoms associated with it and MS, but watching is still a good idea. U'r doc may want to give u antibiotics just to be on the safe side. I hope it didn't transmit lyme to u, but better safe than sorry in this case!

rhonda
Posted 8/19/2006 7:06 AM (GMT 0)
Annie,
The only thing I have ever heard about ticks is that when they are attached and you pull them off and they have skin on them that is a good sign,it means you got it all.As far as how to know if the tick bit you,I have no clue.Like Rhonda said call your pcp and let them know and they can then further help you and lead you in the right direction. Good luck
Posted 8/19/2006 11:21 AM (GMT 0)
Usually the type of tick that you can see like that ISN'T the one that transmits Lyme disease. The tick responsible for Lyme is about the size of the period at the end of this sentence.

I know the Lyme advocates will be here soon to offer all sorts of scary advice. Usually all you need to do -- once you've removed the tick -- is treat the wound like any other: wash thoroughly, dab with a bit of antiseptic if it looks red or swollen, and of course see your doctor if it gets inflammed. Usually nothing more will happen.
Posted 8/23/2006 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I'm a lymie and I'm here to put in my two cents' worth. Actually, ALL ticks can transmit lyme disease, and, unfortunately, the treatment you would likely get from your GP would not cure it. Believe me, I went through exactly that -- was undertreated by my GP and ended up really sick for the next 4 years. Still sick now, probably with some permanent damage. Anyway... While all ticks can transmit lyme, many are not infected. Watch the area and watch your symptoms; if you develop a circular rash around the bite, that is a definite sign of lyme (it's called erythema migrans, which is a definitive sign of lyme disease). Also, if you develop flu-like symptoms (fever, stiff neck, headache, achy joints -- any or all of the above), you should probably start researching lyme. The lyme forum here on HW has a lot of good resources and knowledgable people.

For the future, you might want to do some research about proper tick removal (there is a way to remove them to prevent them from injecting the disease into you as you remove them, if they haven't injected it yet). Also, you can save the actual ticks (dead or alive, I believe) and send them off to IgeneX lab in CA to be tested.

Good luck! Hopefully you got a "clean" tick.
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