My mother got diagnosed with Lyme Disease and given antibiotics for treatment but the doctor was unable to find the tick. We have found what we believe to be the tick, and it seems to be buried into her shoulder. What should we do? Try to dig it out? Put something on it? Or something else?
2006-07-04 02:39:29 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
I don't think ticks usually bury themselves under the skin like that, but I think you should probably go to the hospital to have it checked out ASAP.
2006-07-04 02:43:19 · answer #1 · answered by heterophobicgirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How to Remove a Tick
What should I do if I find a tick on my skin?
It is important to remove the tick as soon as possible. Use the following steps:
If possible, clean the area with an antiseptic solution or soap and water. Take care not to scrub the tick too hard. Just clean the skin around it.
Use blunt tweezers or gloved fingers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
Gently pull the tick straight away from the skin.
If the tick's head breaks off in the skin, use tweezers to remove it like you would a splinter.
If you live where tick diseases are common, save the tick in a small bottle of rubbing alcohol. Your doctor can check it to see what kind of tick it is and what kind of infection it might carry. Otherwise, flush it in the toilet. Wash your hands.
Wash the area around the bite with antibacterial soap.
Call your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
Take care not to do the following:
Do not use sharp tweezers.
Do not crush, puncture, or squeeze the tick's body.
Do not use a twisting or jerking motion to remove the tick.
Do not handle the tick with bare hands.
Do not try to make the tick let go by holding a hot match or cigarette close to it.
Do not try to smother the tick by covering it with petroleum jelly or nail polish.
Do I need to take an antibiotic?
Most people do not need an antibiotic. In most cases, ticks have to be attached to the body for 24 to 48 hours to transmit disease. However, you should see your doctor if you develop redness, swelling, pain, fever, or other symptoms after you are bitten by a tick.
How can I prevent tick bites?
If you spend a lot of time outdoors during tick season (mid-spring to mid-summer), check your body and scalp often for ticks.
Wear light-colored clothes that cover most of your skin when you go into the woods or an area overgrown with grass and bushes. This makes it easier to see ticks on your clothes. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants instead of shorts. Tuck the legs of your pants into your socks for added protection. Remember that ticks are usually found close to the ground, especially in moist, shaded areas.
Insect repellent containing the chemical DEET repels ticks. Be careful to follow the directions on the label, and do not apply more than recommended, especially on children.
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This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. Copyright © 2002 by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Permission is granted to print and photocopy this material for nonprofit educational uses. Written permission is required for all other uses, including electronic uses.
Visit familydoctor.org for information on this and many other health-related topics.
2006-07-04 02:48:19 · answer #2 · answered by lizreganl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get her to the doctor with the tick in place. Although, lyme disease tkaes a while to generate itself in the body, and this probably isn't the tick that infected your mother.
2006-07-04 02:45:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to the doctor and let them remove the tick. U don't want lyme disease do u?
2006-07-04 02:45:14 · answer #4 · answered by jen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you know it's there, have the doctor remove it. If it's still above the skin, a tweezers at the base ( NOT THE BODY ) and pull. Sometimes a lit match makes it back off.
2006-07-04 02:44:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
See a Dr ASAP he's the only cure cause there isn't no cure for Lyme Diease
2006-07-05 16:52:24 · answer #6 · answered by sugarbdp1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go the the doctor or emergency room. lyme's disease is not something i would take lightly.
2006-07-04 02:43:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get her to see a Doctor, to find any other aliments
2006-07-04 02:50:51 · answer #8 · answered by brownrabbit596 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ask the doctor what to do
2006-07-04 02:43:16 · answer #9 · answered by cooper243 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋