15-10-2016, 11:25 AM
1
An 'orrible lump
I noticed a red mark that looked like a small inflamed blood-blister on my waist. It kept on getting rubbed by my trousers waistband, so I stuck a plaster over it. The lump didn't go away and appeared to be growing if anything, so I made an appointment with the doctor. By the time the appointment day arrived, it had got quite big and sore. Then, on the morning of that day, I noticed some blood on the plaster ..but not enough to have come from the lump. I pulled the plaster off and the lump had gone. We eventually found it on the bathroom floor.I'd suspected it was a tic as time went on but I'd never had one before, so wasn't sure. This indeed is what it turned out to be. Even though the Tic had detached itself, I decided to still keep the doctor's appointment. I put the still alive tick into a small bottle and showed to the doctor.
She was quite concerned because tics can carry Lyme Disease. I was put on a ten day course of antibiotics and told to look out for symptoms over the next thirty days (about 15 days into that now). I haven't noticed any problems but it just shows how bad gardening can be for a person!
I'd picked up the tic when cutting down some Laurel bushes that had taken over the bottom of the garden. Insect repellent for me from now on.
15-10-2016, 11:34 AM
2
Re: An 'orrible lump
Originally Posted by mart
->
I noticed a red mark that looked like a small inflamed blood-blister on my waist. It kept on getting rubbed by my trousers waistband, so I stuck a plaster over it. The lump didn't go away and appeared to be growing if anything, so I made an appointment with the doctor. By the time the appointment day arrived, it had got quite big and sore. Then, on the morning of that day, I noticed some blood on the plaster ..but not enough to have come from the lump. I pulled the plaster off and the lump had gone. We eventually found it on the bathroom floor.I'd suspected it was a tic as time went on but I'd never had one before, so wasn't sure. This indeed is what it turned out to be. Even though the Tic had detached itself, I decided to still keep the doctor's appointment. I put the still alive tick into a small bottle and showed to the doctor.
She was quite concerned because tics can carry Lyme Disease. I was put on a ten day course of antibiotics and told to look out for symptoms over the next thirty days (about 15 days into that now). I haven't noticed any problems but it just shows how bad gardening can be for a person!
I'd picked up the tic when cutting down some Laurel bushes that had taken over the bottom of the garden. Insect repellent for me from now on.
Hope it's healing now.
15-10-2016, 11:36 AM
3
Re: An 'orrible lump
How awful Mart! The only time I have ever seen a tic is 2 occasions when my cats had them and I rushed off to the vet to get them removed.It sounds like you may have avoided anything nasty, but the thought of another creature attaching itself to your body and feeding, when you were not aware, makes me cringe!
15-10-2016, 11:38 AM
4
Re: An 'orrible lump
It sounds like you had a possibly narrow escape Mart, and I am very pleased for you.In fact, after reading this I am very very very pleased for you!
http://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/about-lyme/faq/
15-10-2016, 12:01 PM
5
Re: An 'orrible lump
Having a parasite like that latching on is a pretty horrible thought. I don't think it's too uncommon for people to get bitten but certainly unlucky if they do. I'm so pleased I kept the doctor's appointment, even though the thing had let go by itself. She said if anything untoward does show up, I'm to make an immediate appointment.I feel fine though, so hope I've got away with it. Not all Tics carry the disease but Surrey is included in the area where they can do. I believe the New Forest area is the worst place.
I've just been cutting back some more bushes in the garden but with some insect repellent on. I hope this is enough to give those creatures a good Tic-ing off.
15-10-2016, 02:00 PM
6
Re: An 'orrible lump
As already's been said, I too, am glad you kept the docs appointment, and had the presence of mind to take the horrid little blighter with you to show her. Thank goodness you got some antibiotics.After getting about 16 bites from something in the garden myself recently, I now tuck my trouser bottoms into my sicks when I am gardening!
Hope all stays well Mart, you may have had a lucky escape.
15-10-2016, 02:44 PM
9
Re: An 'orrible lump
One thing I did forget to ask about. If one of these little blighters latches on, is it best to pull it off, so risking leaving bits of it behind ..or, since it has bitten anyway and the damage is done, is it best to let it do its thing so that it lets go when ready? Then no bits will be left in the skin.15-10-2016, 02:55 PM
10
Re: An 'orrible lump
Originally Posted by mart
->
One thing I did forget to ask about. If one of these little blighters latches on, is it best to pull it off, so risking leaving bits of it behind ..or, since it has bitten anyway and the damage is done, is it best to let it do its thing so that it lets go when ready? Then no bits will be left in the skin.
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