I'm sorry I haven't been here for the past few days. I got sucked on by a tick, which I found on me on Thursday, but it may have been there longer.

It developed a red area around the wound and then by Monday, my ankle and foot swelled up, the whole area was and still is painful, red and hot, and I still have a fever of 101 F. It really hurts a lot!

It is a bad infection. I had to get a tetnus shot, a shot of an antibiotic, and a prescription for antibiotics. I slept from 11:30 Tues AM until 2:30 Wed. AM. 15 hours! The days previous I slept a great deal too.

The nurses said they never saw tick bite look like that.

Here is the wound:

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

But you can't see the swelling of my ankle and foot.

I don't know what bacteria that tick put in me, but some of those diseases can cause death if not treated!

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

All I did was walk through my back yard to put out the trash and look at my plants.

I don't feel so well still to answer questions, but I still care about everyone and their cats!

Margaret:

Wow, I have never seen a tick reaction like yours. I’m sorry that you are feeling bad and I hope you get better soon.

Over the past several years, I have done several Tick-ictomies – removing ticks embedded in the teenagers while at camp or while working on search missions.

Not to make you squeamish, but, when the tick was removed, did they get the “head” out? If not, that could be causing the infection, much like a splinter can cause an infection if it is not removed. If the head is still in the bit, your body will break it down and get rid of it, eventually.

Mark

Dear Margaret,

I'm glad to hear from you! But I'm so sorry to read about your tick bite. That is awful!

I agree with Mark, Margaret. You have to question them about the head. When did you last see the doctor? You need close observation with this infection. As a matter of fact, if it isn't looking better than when you last saw the doctor, you should follow up on it now. I don't want to frighten you, but that thing is really nasty.

Please get it checked again as it is still infected - and you may need more potent medication.

ETA - Margaret, please know that I will pray for you every day until this thing gets completely healed.

Maria

Oh Margaret - I am so sorry about that nasty bite you have there! Boy oh boy..... that's a good one! Do you think you might be allergic to tick bites too besides being infected? I am also curious to know if you got the "head" out because that IS important.

I hope you will be feeling better soon. I hope this infection heals and you'll be back to yourself in no time. Get the rest you need, we'll hold down the fort. I'll say some prayers for you too.

Yikes! That looks bad. I'm so sorry to hear that, but glad you got treated right away! Take care of yourself. Will keep you in my prayers.

Thanks for the good wishes, everyone. I am rather sure we got the head out. It is a bit better now. It no longer hurts. It had hurt non-stop for two or three days. I can also walk normally now.

I go back to the doctor today.

From what I have been researching about tick borne diseases, this doesn't seem to be one of them. I guess it is just "general" bacteria that got injected in me from that demon tick. But that is bad enough.

I'm glad you checked in - we were getting worried! Now I see we had good reason.

That tick bite looks terrible, but I'm glad you're getting treatment and able to walk now.

Good luck at the doctor today and I hope it keeps improving.

Margaret,

I'm glad you're going to the doctor today - please keep us updated as we're all concerned! We love you!!!!!!!!



Maria

Margaret:

I'm very glad that the tick's head was removed and that you are responding to the medications.

One of the things that I (now) remember about removing ticks is that one must be very careful not to squeeze the tick's body. If the body is squeezed, the contents can be regurgitated and cause an infection. That may be what happened with you.

If you ever have to remove a tick again (assuming you removed it), use a tweezers and grab the tick on the neck just behind the head (or where the neck is coming out of the skin). Pull straight back. This procedure will remove the tick without spilling the contents in you.

Also, while on a military base, I was always required to keep the tick and give it to the base contact. He or she then had the tick examined to determine species it was, etc. We used plastic bags for that.

Mark