I'm flipping out - my 11 year-old daughter was bit by a tick.

I looked it up - it was a Lone Star Tick. This type of tick doesn't transmit Lyme Disease but transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or erhlichiosis.

She found the tick on her shoulder this morning. She was in a horse show on Sunday, which is where I'm sure she picked it up because DH found one on himself also on Saturday night, but his didn't break the skin. It kills me because after he found the one on him he told me to check her. I checked her scalp real good and then just glanced over her body -- I missed it.

What do I do now? Just wait and see? Should I call a doctor? There is a chance that nothing could result from this and there is the chance that something could. What type of doctor do I take her to - are there doctors that specialize in this? Has anyone else or do you know anyone else that has been bitten by this tick?

I'm just so upset.

Message edited 4/28/2009 11:29:13 AM.

Re: I'm flipping out - my 11 year-old daughter was bit by a tick.

Did you remove the tick properly?

I'm sure she will be fine but I see nothing wrong with just calling her ped and just saying that she was bit by a tick (tell him what kind you think it is- are you sure it is that specific type?) and ask what symptoms you should watch for or if your ped wants to see her just as a precaution. I'm sure they will tell you to just watch for specific symptoms.

Re: I'm flipping out - my 11 year-old daughter was bit by a tick.

I'm sure that we are right about the type of tick it was because it has a white spot on it's back.

My DH removed it -- I'm hoping he got it right. I cleaned it up afterwards and it looked like it was all out. She's in school now but I'll check it again when she gets home.

Re: I'm flipping out - my 11 year-old daughter was bit by a tick.

Just take her temperature and make sure she doesn't spike a fever. Both diseases you mention come with fevers -- usually fevers are the first sign of both of those (definitely erlichiosis -- a friend's horse actually had that once).

I have horses and in this area, ticks are a part of life. Normally, though, there isn't any harm. I am sure she'll be fine - just take her temp to be sure for a couple of days. Call her doctor (pediatrician) just to be sure and to make yourself feel better. Don't worry! I'm sure she will be okay! she continues on with horses, she'll unfortunately be no stranger to ticks. She should get into the habit of checking herself after she goes to the barn or a horse show, though - especially spring through fall. (You can usually find them long before they bite that way.)

Don't feel bad about not finding it -- it could have not even been on her at the time -- could have been on her clothes or something else that she later touched and picked it up. She also could have gotten the tick anywhere - not just from the horse show.

As for Rocky Mountain Spotted fever -- It's not terribly common in this area, moreso in the south. Erlichiosis usually presents with a high fever first and then flu-like symptoms. Both are treatable. Symptoms usually appear within 2 weeks of the bite. So if you're really worried, I'd take her temperature every day or every other day for a couple of weeks.

PS - Was she at Winner's Circle on Sunday? My trainer and a bunch of his other clients were there! I missed out on that show... not starting my show season for another couple of weeks.

ETA - Oops, never mind, Winner's Circle was Sunday...

Message edited 4/28/2009 10:45:07 AM.

Re: I'm flipping out - my 11 year-old daughter was bit by a tick.

I would say call the pediatrician either way. Just to be safe.

Re: I'm flipping out - my 11 year-old daughter was bit by a tick.

Posted by Kara

Just take her temperature and make sure she doesn't spike a fever. Both diseases you mention come with fevers -- usually fevers are the first sign of both of those (definitely erlichiosis -- a friend's horse actually had that once).

I have horses and in this area, ticks are a part of life. Normally, though, there isn't any harm. I am sure she'll be fine - just take her temp to be sure for a couple of days. Call her doctor (pediatrician) just to be sure and to make yourself feel better. Don't worry! I'm sure she will be okay! she continues on with horses, she'll unfortunately be no stranger to ticks. She should get into the habit of checking herself after she goes to the barn or a horse show, though - especially spring through fall. (You can usually find them long before they bite that way.)

Don't feel bad about not finding it -- it could have not even been on her at the time -- could have been on her clothes or something else that she later touched and picked it up. She also could have gotten the tick anywhere - not just from the horse show.

As for Rocky Mountain Spotted fever -- It's not terribly common in this area, moreso in the south. Erlichiosis usually presents with a high fever first and then flu-like symptoms. Both are treatable. Symptoms usually appear within 2 weeks of the bite. So if you're really worried, I'd take her temperature every day or every other day for a couple of weeks.

PS - Was she at Winner's Circle on Sunday? My trainer and a bunch of his other clients were there! I missed out on that show... not starting my show season for another couple of weeks.

ETA - Oops, never mind, Winner's Circle was Sunday...

Message edited 4/28/2009 11:28:56 AM.

Re: I'm flipping out - my 11 year-old daughter was bit by a tick.

Re: I'm flipping out - my 11 year-old daughter was bit by a tick.

Was the tick engorged? I actually had a lone star tick on me last summer, I freaked out, but the tick was not engorged and my doctor said that since it was not attached for a long period of time the chance of transmitting something was slim, and to watch for symptoms. I am sure your daughter will be fine. Just call your Dr. to ease your mind!!

Re: I'm flipping out - my 11 year-old daughter was bit by a tick.

Re: I'm flipping out - my 11 year-old daughter was bit by a tick.

Re: I'm flipping out - my 11 year-old daughter was bit by a tick.

I hope your daughter is ok

Wouldn't it be nice if they made some kind of tick medicine for people - like frontline for dogs and cats??? A pill you take once a month that would kill ticks if they bit you?

My dog once had TONS of ticks on her - my DH took her to lloyd's neck where he was painting a boathouse, on the water - and she was COVERED. She had frontline in her and they were all DEAD when DH picked them off with tweezers. Wouldn't it be GREAT if there was something that could do this for humans???

Re: I'm flipping out - my 11 year-old daughter was bit by a tick.

Posted by JBooth

I hope your daughter is ok

Wouldn't it be nice if they made some kind of tick medicine for people - like frontline for dogs and cats??? A pill you take once a month that would kill ticks if they bit you?

My dog once had TONS of ticks on her - my DH took her to lloyd's neck where he was painting a boathouse, on the water - and she was COVERED. She had frontline in her and they were all DEAD when DH picked them off with tweezers. Wouldn't it be GREAT if there was something that could do this for humans???

Re: I'm flipping out - my 11 year-old daughter was bit by a tick.

Re: I'm flipping out - my 11 year-old daughter was bit by a tick.

The doctor wasn't too concerned because it was a lone star tick - not a deer tick. Now I'm trying not to worry...

Message edited 4/29/2009 7:46:19 PM.

Re: I'm flipping out - my 11 year-old daughter was bit by a tick.

Posted by 4ForMe

The doctor wasn't too concerned because it was a lone star tick - not a deer tick. Now I'm trying not to worry...