While touching my scalp one day wondering why it was so sore I discovered it – a tick. Little did I know that I was about to do all of the wrong things in the situation. If you find a tick on yourself or someone in your house, please do not make my same mistakes.
Mistake #1: I panicked
When I found that I had a bug hidden on my scalp, I completely panicked. Rather than waiting for someone to help me since I could not see it, I was terrified and could only think of one thing – getting rid of it! I did not even know what it was at that time, but had a feeling it might be a tick. What I should have done was taken a deep breath and either waited for assistance or attempted to view the area of my head using a hand mirror.
Mistake #2: I removed the tick incorrectly
If I had researched it before removing the tick I would have found that there is a right way and a wrong way to remove a tick. However, in my panic I simply yanked the tick from my scalp with my fingers. What I should have done was to use tweezers to grab a hold of the tick carefully and pull it out slowly. That would have eliminated the risk of the head and mouth of the tick breaking off and remaining inside of the skin which can cause complications.
Mistake #3: I underestimated the bite
I thought that the tick bite would simply heal and the soreness on my head would just go away. What I should have done was to research (again) more information on the types of problems that can arise from a tick bite. Illnesses such as Lyme disease, Tularemia, and Ehrlichiosis can occur as well as infection. These can become serious if not treated promptly.
Mistake #4: I did not see a doctor immediately
The day after I discovered the tick and removed it, my head was still sore, I felt ill and I had a fever. Within one more day, I still had these symptoms and also developed a large lump several inches down my scalp from the bite site. I still neglected to see a doctor and thought that the bite would simply heal and the other symptoms would pass. What I should have done was to visit a doctor immediately to be sure there was no disease or infection and to receive treatment for the bite and the symptoms.
Once I finally sought help from a doctor three days after the tick was discovered, I found out that I was very lucky. The doctor did not find signs of disease. However, I was definitely having a bad reaction to the bite, which explained my symptoms.
I was prescribed an antibiotic called Doxycycline Hyclate which is normally used to treat bacterial infections. The doctor assured me that this medication would treat the symptoms I was experiencing as a result of the bite. As of today, five days later, the symptoms are beginning to diminish.
Again, please do not make the same mistakes that I did if you find a tick on yourself or someone in your house. Take your time and research the proper steps to take. Additionally, prevention is recommended during tick season so that the risk of a tick bite can be reduced.
More on health from Sandy
My Personal Experience: Neck Surgery and Recovery
My Personal Experience: Physical Therapy After Neck Surgery
