tick bites on a 15 month-old - Lyme Disease Message Board

maggie113 · 09-11-2001, 08:40 AM

We went camping over the weekend and this morning when I was changing my son's diaper this morning I found 2 small ticks on his groin area. I did save them, and he does have a dr appt this afternoon I am just really scared of the whole lyme disease aspect. The ticks were about this big after feeding on my son, *. Is that the kind of tick that carries lyme? I am also pretty worried about my 2yr-old and my husband and myself(I am 2 1/2 mos pregnant w/ our 3rd). Any info would be greatly appreciated on what to look for and what not. Also, I remember reading somewhere that you could send the ticks somewhere to be tested. Anyone know where? Thanks in advance.

09-11-2001, 02:52 PM

Maggie it is great that you saved the ticks. Yes they can be tested at:

IgeneX
Palo Alto, California [url="http://www.igenex.com/"]http://www.igenex.com/[/url]
415-424-1191
800-832-3200

How did you remove the ticks? Check yourself and your family thoroughly behind ears, on scalp, behind knees, in armpits, belly button, groin/upper leg area, everywhere. Please know the only safe way to remove ticks is with tweezers only. Bring tweezers as close as possible to where the tick is attached to the skin, and grasp its mouthparts. Pull the tick straight back. Do not burn it with a match, do not put Vaseline or alcohol on it, and do not remove it with your fingers. Any of these methods will increase your risk of infection. There are eight different ticks that carry dangerous pathogens. Lyme tests are not completely reliable especially early on.

I have a good list of resources on Lyme, including a great doctor in MO, that I can email to you. You may email me at ko_@bellsouth.net (the _ after the ko is an underline). Please mention your screen name as a reminder for me.