Tick Season!

[kepPNW]

Karl! You got bit? Oh noes. The tick bites I got last year left lasting sores that took forever to heal.

Yeah, didn't look too bad this morning. Infection-red about 1/2" across, surrounding the insult. Hopefully, it'll just fade away.

[retired jerry]

Isn't that maybe a sign of Lyme disease?

Maybe go see doctor, like tomorrow. If they treat with anti-biotics it's a non-event. If you let it go, it can become uncurable.

[kepPNW]

Isn't that maybe a sign of Lyme disease?

Maybe go see doctor, like tomorrow. If they treat with anti-biotics it's a non-event. If you let it go, it can become uncurable.

Thanks, Jerry. Seems to be healing up pretty well. Spot's about 1/4 as big now. I think they'll get a bulls-eye ring pattern going with Lyme. Definitely have a watchful eye, though.

[payslee]

stop fooling around and go to the doctor now. Only about 60% of lyme ticks result in a classic bullseye but if you "keep a watchful eye" your next symptom, in a year or two, may be degenerative arthritis.

Lyme is much less common here than in New England (where I got deer tick bites every other summer, just about), but there are plenty of *other* nasty things they can give you too.

-payslee

[kepPNW]

Hmmmmmm.... <grumble>

[-Q-]

Isn't that maybe a sign of Lyme disease?

Maybe go see doctor, like tomorrow. If they treat with anti-biotics it's a non-event. If you let it go, it can become uncurable.

Thanks, Jerry. Seems to be healing up pretty well. Spot's about 1/4 as big now. I think they'll get a bulls-eye ring pattern going with Lyme. Definitely have a watchful eye, though.

Just to be safe, whenever I have had an embedded tick in the past, I saved it (for future Lymes testing if needed).
Did you happen to save your little hitchhiker??

I still have my hitchhiker from last year (Surveyors Ridge Trail) in a scotch tape coffin (just like Splintercat)

[kepPNW]

Did you happen to save your little hitchhiker??

No, didn't think for even a moment about it. Just tossed him. Grew up doing that. Haven't adjusted to "the new reality," or apparently even accepted there is one yet.

Maybe go see doctor, like tomorrow.

stop fooling around and go to the doctor now.

Concern noted, and appreciated! So I went ahead and emailed my doc this morning, and just got the following response...

In general, it takes about 72 hours of tick adherence to cause Lyme Disease. However, to play it safe, I have entered orders for you to have a blood test to check for Lyme Disease antibodies. Come to the lab (no appointment need) in Suite 180 to get the blood drawn, any time on or after 3/24/14. If you develop chills, an area of skin redness that expands to several inches then disappears, or unusual joint pains before that, then arrange to quickly be seen here.

Watchfully waiting...

[payslee]

We only pester you because we care. And because we are stuck in PH stage 8.



-payslee

[kepPNW]

We only pester you because we care. And because we are stuck in PH stage 8.

Lucky me!

[Roy]

We only pester you because we care. And because we are stuck in PH stage 8.

Lucky me!

Its been a couple years since I dug one one out and only went to the doc once when I got one where nobody wants one or ever should have to go thru getting one there They put me on antibiotics.

Disgusting creatures