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Tick Bites |
Many of us that live on the north Coast have had hundreds of tick bites without anything more than an irritated bite for a few days but they are not known for cleaning their teeth so tetanus is a theoretical possibility make sure your are fully vaccinated against tetanus.
There are many species of tick in Australia. The most common tick in New South Wales is the paralysis tick Ixodes Holocyclus, which is found along the State's eastern coastal strip and inland for about 30 kilometres.
Ticks inject a toxin that may cause local irritation or a mild allergic reaction, however most tick bites cause little or no symptoms. In some cases ticks can pose a serious threat to human health. Tick borne diseases, tick paralysis and severe allergic reactions, while uncommon, can pose a serious health threat.
Early symptoms of tick paralysis can include rashes, headache, fever, flu like symptoms, tenderness of lymph nodes, unsteady gait, intolerance to bright light, increased weakness of the limbs and partial facial paralysis.
If you have concerns about the possibility of tick paralysis see your doctor or emergency department.
Mild allergic reactions and itching can be treated with antihistamines and lotions. In some susceptible people tick bite may cause a severe allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock, which can be life threatening. If swelling of the face and throat causes breathing difficulties, seek urgent medical attention.
Remove a tick as soon as possible after locating it. Use fine pointed tweezers and grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Gently pull the tick straight out with steady pressure. If you have difficulty seek medical attention. Do not try to kill the tick with methylated spirits or any other chemicals. This may cause the tick to inject more toxins. If you have a severe infestation by larval stage ticks (often referred to as grass ticks) some recommend a bath for 30 minutes with 1 cup of bicarbonate of soda.
Two potential infections from of tick bites are Scrub Typhus (Tick Typhus or Spotted Fever) and Lyme Disease
Scrub Typhus.
Scrub Typhus presents with a very high fever, severe headache, generalized muscle pains and fatigue. The incubation period from the bite is 5-20 days. The bite develops a black centre called an eschar (resembling a cigarette burn) with tender lymph nodes in the area. Toward the end of the first week, approximately 35% of patients develop a flat rash on the trunk, which may become raised. By this time, the liver and spleen are enlarged and lymph nodes are enlarged all over the body.
Doxycycline is effective in the treatment of scrub typhus. Tetracycline products are generally not recommended for use in children younger than 8 years because of dental discoloration. Rulide in one small trial has been shown to be as effective as doxycycline.
If you have concerns about the possibility of Scrub typhus see your doctor
Lyme disease.
The existence of Lyme disease in Australia is still controversial. The incubation period from infection to the onset of symptoms is usually 1-2 weeks, but can be much shorter (a couple of days), or much longer (months to years). You will usually see a large expanding red rash at the site of the tick bite.
The rash is classically 5 to 6.8 cm in diameter appearing as an flat red, (the centre clears in (9%), or is black in 2%). Multiple similar rashes that are painless occur
Other symptoms may include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint aches. The antibiotics of choice are doxycycline, amoxicillin and ceftriaxone, rulide may also be used.
If you have concerns about the possibility of Lyme disease see your doctor
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