Red mark, been there for 10 weeks?

Question

The week of the 4th of July, I found a tiny little tick on the side of my stomach, after coming in from the woods.

I pulled it off and killed it, but later on, I noticed a red mark where it had been. It didn't bother me, cause I had only pulled it off about an hour before, but it is still there now.

It is a red, raised bump. It doesn't itch or hurt, and I don't have anything else wrong with me, like a fever, or anything.

Has anyone had this happen to them before? Does anyone know what this is? I don't want to go to the doctor just to have him tell me it's nothing, because money is tight.

If it matters at all, I spent the 4th in Tennessee.

Answer 1

Lyme Disease Symptoms

The Lyme disease bacterium can infect several parts of the body, producing different symptoms at different times. Not all patients with Lyme disease will have all symptoms, and many of the symptoms can occur with other diseases as well. If you believe you may have Lyme disease, it is important that you consult your health care provider for proper diagnosis.

The first sign of infection is usually a circular rash called erythema migrans or EM. This rash occurs in approximately 70-80% of infected persons and begins at the site of a tick bite after a delay of 3-30 days. A distinctive feature of the rash is that it gradually expands over a period of several days, reaching up to 12 inches (30 cm) across. The center of the rash may clear as it enlarges, resulting in a bull’s-eye appearance. It may be warm but is not usually painful. Some patients develop additional EM lesions in other areas of the body after several days. Patients also experience symptoms of fatigue, chills, fever, headache, and muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. In some cases, these may be the only symptoms of infection.

Untreated, the infection may spread to other parts of the body within a few days to weeks, producing an array of discrete symptoms. These include loss of muscle tone on one or both sides of the face (called facial or “Bell’s palsy), severe headaches and neck stiffness due to meningitis, shooting pains that may interfere with sleep, heart palpitations and dizziness due to changes in heartbeat, and pain that moves from joint to joint. Many of these symptoms will resolve, even without treatment.

After several months, approximately 60% of patients with untreated infection will begin to have intermittent bouts of arthritis, with severe joint pain and swelling. Large joints are most often effected, particularly the knees. In addition, up to 5% of untreated patients may develop chronic neurological complaints months to years after infection. These include shooting pains, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, and problems with concentration and short term memory.

Most cases of Lyme disease can be cured with antibiotics, especially if treatment is begun early in the course of illness. However, a small percentage of patients with Lyme disease have symptoms that last months to years after treatment with antibiotics. These symptoms can include muscle and joint pains, arthritis, cognitive defects, sleep disturbance, or fatigue. The cause of these symptoms is not known. There is some evidence that they result from an autoimmune response, in which a person’s immune system continues to respond even after the infection has been cleared. Pedtriac nurse for 14 years

Answer 2

It is probably just a raised red mark. Ticks burrow into your skin and when you pull them out sometimes they leave a little piece of themselves in you. It may still be in there that is why its not gone away. Only a doctor can determine this.

Also you may want to get checked for Lyme disease it comes from ticks.

Answer 3

Better to pay to find out it is nothing than to save the money and become critically ill. Don't take the chance, see a doctor.

Answer 4

Get it checked out.. it could be Lymes disease and the sooner its treated the less permanent severity and the better outcome you will have

Answer 5

The head of the tick could still be in there...

Answer 6

o.k. just a suggestion, but it may be that the tick's head is still in you.... if it is not bothersome.... than wait and see.... eventually, the head will dissolve.... if this is too much, go see a doc.... better safe than sorry...good luck.

Answer 7

you could still have lyme disease, with or without the mark. i'd see a doc asap, the sooner it's treated the better!!!!

Answer 8

I would visit the doctor.

Answer 9

http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/127/12/1106

http://www.nps.gov/public_health/intra/info/factsheets/fs_fleas.htm