Tick bite treatments

[Ticklebelly]

A first aid question really - ways to treat tick bites? During a recent walk, ticks by the thousand, one of the buggars (paralysis tick) got me. Came out head and all and the site was washed with Betadine, left to dry. Over a month later, the site is still itchy and weeps a little. My normal reaction to midges and leech bites is to get itchy for a few days then a red mark that takes about a week to go. This is different and is not really getting better. Only had one tick bite in the past, 20 years ago, and virtually had no reaction to that instance. I know people can develop a sensitivity to bites and maybe that is my problem. Site search has not helped; anyone got any suggestions?

Ticklebelly

[bailz66]

Visit the doc?

[rogo]

I'm interested in this as well. I guess I am allergic to the little blighters and still get an itchy bump very now and then years after the tick bite. We don't have paralysis ticks here thank goodness but I get the itchy open pussy wound like tickleberry. This is the one thing I hate about the bush.

[peregrinator]

Based on my recent experience with a bite, I think a visit to a doctor would be a good idea. First, to make sure everything has been completely removed. Second, for the inevitable but probably very necessary antibiotics.

[oyster_07]

As a qualified medic, I suggest a trip to the doctor. A prolonged reaction has a cause.

[Ticklebelly]

A prolonged reaction has a cause.

Yeah, I'm thinking that too. I hate wasting the Dr's time though hence the post. I'm due to donate blood in two weeks so might just be best to toddle off for a visit.

Ticklebelly

[johnw]

Actually I still have a small, occasionally slightly itchy, lump on my neck from one I picked up a couple of weeks ago. I got my wife to remove it. All of it came out and the symptoms seem to be receding, albeit slowly.

[angusmullet]

Ticks, arrrghhh. I'd like to know how Mr Doran in one of his solo trips to feder removed 3 from his scalp. His Federation book is a good read if anyone liked climbing Federation Peak.

[oyster_07]

Ticks, leaches, and mosquitoes,.... Truly the most retched pests!

[bailz66]

March flys and Vampire bats????

Blood suckers are never fun

[Strider]

I get the itchy open pussy wound like tickleberry. This is the one thing I hate about the bush.

That could so easily be interpreted the wrong way!

[walkinTas]

I get the itchy open pussy wound like tickleberry. This is the one thing I hate about the bush.

Adjectives should be separated by commas. "...open, pussy wound..."

Slightly OT, but it does raise an important point about going on extended trips into the bush. Always take antiseptics or disinfectants of some type. Even the smallest cut can become an infected mess very quickly.

[Ticklebelly]

I get the itchy open pussy wound ...........

I am leaving that one alone. And a clarification - no pus, just a lympth like discharge, mostly clear and it drys crystaline.

Update to treatment - Topical Corticosterioid cream seems to be doing the business after two applications. I'll update again in a couple of days. I think I will try the stuff next time I get midge or leech bites.

Ticklebelly

[rogo]

caught out by bad spelling and punctuation.

And the pus came after the walking. I would say a result of scratching and secondary infections. And topical creams don't help apart from drying the sight but it remains as itchy.

[Mark F]

Oh rogo,

let those that cast stones be blameless - "sight" - wrong spelling or wrong word - your choice.

[Ticklebelly]

Four applications of the steriod cream now and my tick bite problem is pretty well gone. Even a fingernail over the site does not bring on the itch. I will continue to make all efforts to avoid tick bites in the future but I fugure the steriod cream will get used pretty early in the process. The success has been spectacular given the chronic nature of itch and discharge from the site. I'm going to try the stuff on the next midge and leech bites in the hope that it will minimise my reactions to those little buggars too.

Ticklebelly