Tick Bite

dashofreality

So I know I'm not a regular here, but I'm possibly venturing into crazy parentland and figured everyone here would tell me if I am or not.

My 22 month old got a tick bite. At first I thought it was a scab, ignored it, and then after 36 hours realized it was a deer tick. After a lot of research and studying that nasty thing with a magnifying glass, I'm pretty confident that it is a nymphal 8 legged deer tick (ie research tells me a possible carrier of Lyme's). DS meets all of recommended criteria for taking preventative antibiotics except that he is too young to take doxycycline. I called our nurse line and they say to just wait and watch for rash/fever.

I'm not normally a freak out parent, but my gut is telling me that he should have antibiotics (they need to be taken within 72 hours). Do I ignore the nurse line and make an appointment anyway? Leave it alone and watch for symptoms? Anyone a tick expert?

dashofreality

@bunkinmama yes we got the head as it is still alive and we saved it.

My only real concern is that I know for a fact that it was on for longer than 36 hours and I'm beating myself up for not investigating when I saw it after only a few hours.

RondackHiker

If he's too young for doxycycline, what do you want them to do?

dashofreality

RondackHiker said:

If he's too young for doxycycline, what do you want them to do?

 

I don't know why it won't let me quote...

 

Irrational mother would like them to fix him, do whatever so he doesn't wind up with a tickbourne disease. If doxycycline is the only antibiotic option for Lyme, then I guess I have my answer, and seeking preventative antibiotics won't help.

spotco2

It's just a tick bite unless it gets worse.

No need to panic until there is a reason to panic. A simple tick bite does not require emergency medical attention. Just watch for swelling, fever, rash, etc. If these symptoms appear, seek medical attention.