Was it a tick?

Question

I took my cousin who has down-syndrome for a walk today and when we got back, she had this little black bump under her skin. I got suspicious about it being a tick. Her mother took her to the hospital and doctors examined her and said: “it might be an insect, but it not a tick, TAKE HER HOME AND have her take a shower and try to take the insect out yourself!!!!!!!!!” never mind the carelessness of those doctors (with whom I will have a talk tomorrow), we finally were about to take out the insect. It was a light brown, shrimp shaped, insect. The problem is that we missed a little bit of its body and regardless of our effort we couldn’t take it out. Any advice on what it could have been and what we should do? If it the pest had lime disease, would a blood test show it this soon?

Answer 1

Ticks are not shrimp-shaped. They are small, flat (until they are filled with blood) insects that cling to the top of the skin with their little pincer mouths and suck your blood. Take her to the doctor -- they need to get the rest of the body out and make sure she doesn't have any infections from it.

Answer 2

In my search box i typed in "show pictures of ticks" and this popped up http://www.lyme.org and it shows pictures of what ticks looks like.

You have to get everybit of the tick out cause if you leave any in under the skin that will cause lyme disease.

Yes it would show it up in a test. When you are outside or around dogs/animals always check your head for ticks also the back of your ears and even inside your ears.

I am in the south so we are use to seeing ticks and pulling them off of us.

Here is how you remove one if you all get another on you:

Tick Removal Procedure:

1) Use fine-point tweezers to grasp the tick at the place of attachment, as close to the skin as possible.
2) Gently pull the tick straight out.
3) Place the tick in a small vial labeled with the victim's name, address and the date.
4) Wash your hands, disinfect the tweezers and bite site.
5) Mark your calendar with the victim's name, place of tick attachment on the body, and general health at the time.
6) Call your doctor to determine if treatment is warranted.
7) Watch the tick-bite site and your general health for signs or symptoms of a tick-borne illness. Make sure you mark any changes in your health status on your calendar.
8) If possible, have the tick identified/tested by a lab, your local health department, or veterinarian.


If the mouthparts break off in the skin - should I dig them out?

We have heard two competing opinions about this.

One viewpoint states that the mouthparts can cause a secondary infection, and should be removed as if it was a splinter.

Another viewpoint was shared with us by a pediatrician in a hyperendemic area. He states that parents can do more harm by trying to hold down a child and dig out the mouthparts with a needle. He instructs his families to leave the mouthparts, and that they will come out on their own as the skin sloughs off.

CAUTIONS:

Children should be taught to seek adult help for tick removal.
If you must remove the tick with your fingers, use a tissue or leaf to avoid contact with infected tick fluids.
Do not prick, crush or burn the tick as it may release infected fluids or tissue.
Do not try to smother the tick (e.g. petroleum jelly, nail polish) as the tick has enough oxygen to complete the feeding.


Good luck and i hope she does not get sick

Answer 3

Do you have tweezers there? Try to use that to take a bit of the tick off. It could be a deer tick or a lyme tick. Make an appointment and see if anything is wrong.

I hope this answers helps you a bit,you have my prayers there.

Answer 4

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Fact Sheet List





Facts About Lyme Disease

Published Date: 05/24/2006
Author: Division of Public Health Services,

Communicable Disease Control & Surveillance

Lyme Disease Facts

The Lyme Disease Fact Sheet (2 pages) provides information about Lyme Disease and ticks including disease symptoms, vaccination and treatment and tick bites, tick removal and disinfection. Other information including how to prevent infection and exposure.



2006 Lyme Disease Bulletin

The Lyme Disease Bulletin for 2006 (2 pages) discusses the incidence of Lyme disease in New Hampshire, risk factors, symptoms of the disease, and prevention. Methods to avoid being bitten by ticks that carry Lyme disease.




Lyme Disease & Tick Bites

Ticks can transmit Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Symptoms vary by disease, including fever, chills, and fatigue.



Avoiding Tick Bites

Stay on trails outdoors; avoid areas of overgrown brush and tall grasses.
Wear light-colored clothes so ticks can be easily seen.
Wear a hat, long-sleeved shirt and long pants tucked into boots or
socks.
Check yourself often for ticks.
Use insect repellent containing DEET or permethrin (follow directions).



Is It A Tick Bite?

Spider Bite – Several fluid-filled bumps appear at the site of the bite. 
Tick Bite – The bite is hard, itchy, and forms into lumps. A red, rash-like halo surrounds the bite and then slowly spreads outwards.


Removing An Attached Tick

Remove the tick promptly. The sooner you remove it, the less chance of infection.
Use tweezers to grasp the tick's mouthparts at the surface of the skin.
With a steady motion, gently pull the tick straight out.
Wipe the bite area with an antiseptic, or wash with soap and water.
Be alert for symptoms of illness over the next 7-10 days.


DO NOT squeeze the tick.
DO NOT rub petroleum jelly on the tick.
DO NOT use a hot match or cigarette.
DO NOT pour kerosene or nail polish on



Additional Resources

Centers for Disease Control - Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease - Tick Fact Card













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Answer 5

I would be so pissed off right now, like you said you are. you need to take her back to her doc tomorrow