What Antibiotics Treat Tick Bites

What To Do After Removing An Attached Tick That Has Bitten You

In general, the CDC does not recomment taking antibiotics prophylactically after tick bites to prevent tickborne diseases. However, in certain circumstances, a single dose of doxycycline after a tick bite may lower your risk of Lyme disease. Consider talking to your healthcare provider if you live in an area where Lyme disease is common to discuss prophylaxic doxycycline and other options.

See A Health Care Provider

See a health care provider immediately if the tick has burrowed into skin or if the head, mouthparts, or other tick remains cannot be removed.

Otherwise, see a health care provider if:

• You think it might be a deer tick, which is especially prevalent in the Northeast U.S. Your doctor may prescribe a single dose of an antibiotic to help prevent Lyme disease.
• You develop flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and muscle aches, or a rash within one month after the bite. Take the tick to the health care provider’s office or the hospital if possible.
• The bite area develops a lesion within 30 days. A sign of Lyme disease infection is a “bullseye” rash in which the center becomes clearer as the redness moves outward in a circular pattern.
• There are signs of infection such as redness, warmth, or inflammation.

Testing For Lyme Disease In Dogs

Lyme disease spread by ticks can be diagnosed with a simple blood tests in your veterinarian’s clinic. The C6 test is very sensitive and specific at diagnosing cases of Lyme disease and depending on clinical signs and concurrent results, treatment may be started immediately. If treatment has been successful, reductions in the QC6 at six months should be lower than the starting point.

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How Long Should You Take Doxycycline For A Tick Bite

The length of time you should take doxycycline depends on the illness caused by tick bites. Doxycycline for tick bite dosages vary for each illness.

• Clinician recommendations for Lyme disease are generally 100 mg twice daily for 10 to 28 days.
• To treat mild to moderate cellulitis from a tick bite, doxycycline can be given 100 mg twice daily for 5 to 14 days.
• To treat Rocky Mountain spotted fever as a result of a tick bite, the treatment is doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 5 to 7 days or for at least 3 days after fever subsides.
• If you were bitten by a tick but have no symptoms, a single dose of Doxycycline can also be used for prevention of Lyme disease if you meet criteria. These include: tick attachment for at least 36 hours, and tick bite in an area known to harbor Lyme disease, among others.

Some experts prefer a 10-day course of treatment for all tick bite illnesses.

When To Treat An Acute Tick Bite: Cdc/idsa Recommendation

Acute Asymptomatic Tick Bites

The CDC/IDSA only recommend antibiotics for an asymptomatic tick bite without a rash when the following conditions are met:

• The black legged deer tick is attached for 36 hours or more and
• The tick bite occurs in a state or county with large amounts of Lyme in ticks. For practical purposes this means CT, DE, DC, MA, MD, ME, MN, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI, WV.
• Treatment is started within 72 hours of the bite.

I strongly disagree with the CDC/IDSA position for the person who has a tick bite without symptoms or a rash. It is true that the longer a tick is attached, the greater the odds of getting Lyme. For instance, studies on transmission rates of infected ticks feeding on mice show no transmission of Lyme at 24 hours, 11% by 48 hours, 44% by 60 hours, and 94% by 96 hours. However, many ILADS physicians, including me, report Lyme disease from ticks attached less than 24 hours. In addition, Lyme spreads from ticks even in areas of the country where Lyme is rare. When it is followed, the CDC/IDSA position results in too many cases of chronic Lyme disease.

Symptomatic Tick Bites

If a person has a black legged deer tick bite and develops flu-like symptoms, neurologic symptoms, a bulls eye rash, or an illness with a fever, CDC/IDSA do agree that a person should receive antibiotics. I agree with this position.

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Testing For Kidney Disease

Tests to diagnose kidney disease include complete blood count, serum biochemistry, and urinalysis. These blood tests will determine if your pet is anemic, determine white blood cell counts, measure blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and electrolytes. A urinalysis is essential for the proper interpretation of the urea and creatinine values in the serum biochemistry profile and may also provide important clues to the possible underlying cause of kidney disease. A urinalysis will also determine the specific gravity, pH, presence of blood in the urine, and the amount of protein in the urine. An evaluation of the urine sediment will determine the presence of red blood cells, white blood cells, bacteria, crystalline material, and cellular casts all of which provide information to determine the underlying cause of kidney disease in your pet. Further diagnostic tests may be recommended based on the results of these initial screening tests.

Penicillin Plus Azole Plus Lipsomal Cinnamon Clove & Oregano Oil

• amoxicillin 500 mg 4 pills 3 times a day
• tinidazole 500 mg 1 pill 2 or 3 times a day for 4 days on and 3 days off in 7-day cycles.
• liposomal cinnamon, clove, and oregano oil capsules 1 pill 2 times a day.

Key Points:

• This is a very high dose of amoxicillin, which is four times stronger than physicians prescribe for other infections like ear infections. I consider this dose to be nearly as effective as IV antibiotics.
• This is a pulse dose regimen of the tinidazole. It may be more effective than continuous regimens.
• The essential oils are added to treat persister Lyme.

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Can Lyme Disease Be Prevented

Not all cases of Lyme disease can be prevented. But you can help protect your family from tick bites. If you go into an area where ticks live, be sure to:

• Stay in the middle of the trail, instead of going through high grass or the woods.
• Wear closed shoes or boots, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants. Tuck pant legs into shoes or boots to prevent ticks from crawling up legs.
• Use an insect repellent.
• Consider treating clothing and gear with permethrin to repel ticks. When used properly, permethrin is safe for all ages. But don’t use it on clothing or other material a child may suck on or chew.
• Wear light-colored clothing to help you see ticks more easily.
• Shower and wash hair after being outside to remove ticks before they attach.

For Depression And Anxiety

Both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy have proven benefits for improving mood. Psychotherapy has many different types such as supportive, dynamic, cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavior therapy, transference focused psychotherapy each of which offers benefit. Pharmacotherapy also has many different types. For depression the first-line options usually are SSRIs, SNRIs, Tricyclics or other agents with more unique modes of action.

A few noteworthy tips on anti-depressant agents:

• Most anti-depressant agents also help in reducing anxiety. However the opposite isn’t necessarily true. Specific anti-anxiety agents such as clonazepam or diazepam may not necessarily help fight depression.
• Most anti-depressants take three to eight weeks before an effect is seen. Therefore, it is unwise to stop an anti-depressant after only three or four weeks, as staying on it another two to three weeks may lead to a good response.
• Dosage makes a difference. Some anti-depressants work fine at low doses some medications however are effective only at higher doses. Some medications are more effective as the dose is i increased. Other antidepressants may have a therapeutic range one has to achieve at least a certain dosage .

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What Do I Do If I Find A Tick On My Skin

Dont panic. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skins surface as possible. Pull up with steady, even pressure. Be careful not to squeeze or twist the tick body. Sometimes parts of the tick remain in the skin. You can leave them alone or carefully remove them the same way you would a splinter. Do not use heat , petroleum jelly, or other methods to try to make the tick back out on its own. These methods are not effective.

Wash the area where the tick was attached thoroughly with soap and water. Keep an eye on the area for a few weeks and note any changes. Call your doctor if you develop a rash around the area where the tick was attached. Be sure to tell your doctor that you were bitten by a tick and when it happened.

Does Doxycycline Kill Ticks

Doxycycline does not kill ticks but treats illnesses caused by tick bites. Doxycycline is an antibiotic that kills a wide variety of bacteria and parasites but does not kill ticks directly.

Chemicals that kill ticks directly are not safe for human consumption. Pesticides and insecticides can kill ticks instantly but are not safe to put on skin or handle without gloves. Usually, these chemicals are sprinkled along the yard to kill ticks and other insects.

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Management Of Lyme Disease With Antibiotics

• Doctors will usually not prescribe antibiotics in absence of symptoms. To confirm Lyme disease, doctors often recommend the ELISA test for serum antibodies. Culture from biopsy from skin lesions can also indicate Lyme but this proves to be difficult in some cases.
• Early disease responds well to Lyme disease prophylaxis doxycycline. Other antibiotics for tick bites are amoxicillin and cefotaximine if the patient does not respond to doxyycline.

Are Antibiotics Necessary For A Tick Bite

risks of antibiotics for a humanId consider prophylactic antibiotics.duration of feeding is an important considerationWe decided not to use antibiotics on this occasion.you can rebuild gut bacteria much easier than you can rebuild from chronic Lyme diseaseAntibiotics are most effective in the first 72 hours.thisnatural ways to address a tick bite immediately after removing the tick

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Tetracycline Plus Rifamycin Plus Disulfiram

• minocycline 100 mg 1 pill 2 times a day
• rifampin 300 mg 2 pills 1 time a day
• disulfiram 4 to 5 mg/ kg body weight. Work up to this dose slowly over 2 months then remain on the disulfiram at the peak dose for 4 months before tapering off.

Key Points:

• This minocycine and rifampin in this combination are as useful for treating a Bartonella co-infection. Co-infections are other germs passed on during a tick bite. If someone has a co-infection, when possible I choose antibiotic combinations that simultaneously treat Lyme germs and the co-infection germs.
• The disulfiram is added here to treat persister Lyme. Note disulfiram does not appear to treat Bartonella.

Insect Bites And Stings

Insect bites and stings are a common presentation in primary care. The true rate of insect bites and stings is unknown as most instances go unreported. One recent survey of GPs found that all respondents had managed patients with insect bites in the previous year, and that further investigations and referrals to secondary care were rare.3

Most insect bites and stings result in minor local reactions, which usually last from a few hours to several days.4 They usually present as a red lump, with or without an area of surrounding erythema, and are often associated with swelling and itching.1 Bacterial infection can result, but is uncommon.1 Treatment should normally be directed towards first aid and symptomatic relief of the inflammatory reaction.1

Rarely, large local skin reactions, or potentially life-threatening systemic reactions including anaphylaxis, can occur in some people.4

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Should I Take Antibiotics After A Tick Bite

Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to Lyme Disease and other tick borne illnesses. The risk of infection is low if you find and remove a tick within the first 24-36 hours .

Unfortunately, sometimes youll miss a tick allowing him to feed, passing on bacteria and other tickborne diseases. Thats when you might need to see a doctor.

If a person is bitten by a tick a healthcare provider will usually take one of the following approaches.

• Tell you to observe the bite and keep an eye out for signs/symptoms of infection. Watch for redness, irritation, swelling, and fever.
• Treat with a preventitive antibiotic immediately if you live in areas with a high risk of Lyme Disease.

Theres no way to tell if youve caught anything within the first few days after getting bitten. Even a blood test for Lyme Disease will come back negative unless you wait a few weeks. You would have to wait at least 2 and sometimes up to 6 weeks to see a positive blood test result.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

• I found a tick embedded in my skin, but I cant get it out. What should I do?
• Ive been bitten by a tick. Do I need to be seen?
• Do I need a blood test to confirm Lyme disease?
• Which antibiotic is best for me?
• How long will I have to take the antibiotic?
• What tick or insect repellent should I use for me or my child?
• How long will the symptoms last?
• What should I do if I still dont feel well a long time after I was bitten?

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What Happens At Your Appointment

The GP will ask about your symptoms and consider any rash or recent tick bites you know about.

Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose. It has similar symptoms to other conditions and there’s not always an obvious rash.

2 types of blood test are available to help confirm or rule out Lyme disease. But these tests are not always accurate in the early stages of the disease.

You may need to be retested if you still have Lyme disease symptoms after a negative result.

What Causes Lyme Disease

People get Lyme disease when they are bitten by an infected tick. Ticks live in areas with a lot of plant life, such as wooded areas or fields. They sit near the top of grassy plants and low bushes. They wait there for people or animals to brush up against them. Ticks can crawl on your clothes or body for up to several hours or more before attaching to the skin.

Ticks can attach to any part of your body. They are usually found in hard-to-see areas, including the armpits, groin, or scalp. An infected tick needs to be attached to your skin for 36 to 48 hours before it passes the bacteria on to you.

People who spend time in outdoor areas where ticks are common are at higher risk of getting tick-borne diseases.

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What Is The Best Time Of Day To Take Doxycycline

The best time of day to take doxycycline is 1 to 2 hours before meals. Some doxycycline prescriptions are prescribed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. It is best to take these 1 to 2 hours before meals. For example, if you eat breakfast at 9:00 am, then it is best to take the dose between 7 and 8 am. If you usually eat dinner at 7:00 pm, then you should take the dose between 5 and 6 pm.

Taking doxycycline with a meal can decrease its effectiveness and decrease serum levels in the body. This means that if taken with a high-fat meal or milk, it may not work as intended and fight bacteria unsuccessfully. In addition, if you take oral contraceptives for birth control, doxycycline may cause your birth control to be less effective, so a back-up method is recommended while taking doxycycline.

Administration with iron or calcium may also decrease absorption of doxycycline. Food with high iron and calcium include:

• Red meat

• Tightness in chest or throat
• Swelling of face, lips, or tongue

Human And Animal Bites

Bite wounds can take a variety of forms, including lacerations, puncture wounds, and crush or degloving injuries. Different animals typically inflict different patterns of wounds.

Human bites are usually wounds inflicted by actual biting, or clenched-fist injuries sustained when a clenched fist hits a persons teeth, often during a fight. The latter typically cause small wounds over the knuckle area of the hand.9

Dog bites usually involve puncture wounds from the canine teeth, while the other teeth bite and tear tissues, and cause structural damage.9

Cats have fine, sharp teeth and can inflict deep puncture wounds contaminated with saliva. Although cat bite puncture wounds may appear small, they can be deep and are capable of penetrating bone, joints, and tendons.9 Cat bites are approximately twice as likely to become infected as dog bites, with 3050% of cat bites becoming infected compared with 525% of dog bites.10

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When Should I See A Doctor After A Tick Bite

Before seeking medical attention make sure you safely remove the tick. There are a bunch of specialized tools for removing ticks, but you probably already have a pair of tweezers in your bathroom cabinet. Continue reading below for video/written instructions explaining how to remove ticks.

I bought a little tool called a Tick Key, because my dogs wouldnt allow me to use tweezers on them. After pulling a few out of my dogs fur I realized it was much easier to use than the tweezers.

Once the tick has been removed its time to assess the situation. Your physician should be able to review the description of the tick with any of your physical symptoms. He will most likely tell you to observe the bite area and only come in if you spot signs of infection.

The CDC only recommends immediate treatment with antibiotics if it was a Deer Tick, attached for more than 36 hours, in an area known for Lyme Disease, and you can get a single dose of Doxycycline within 72 hours of tick removal. They recommend waiting for symptoms to show if you dont meet all of those criteria.

How Can I Tell How Long The Tick Was Attached?

Figuring out how long a tick was attached can be tricky. Only ticks that are attached and have finished feeding or are near the end of their meal can transmit lyme disease.

A tick that isnt attached, is easy to remove or is just walking on your skin, couldnt have transferred lyme disease. If hes flat and tiny without much in its body you have nothing to worry about.