Even in Berlin…darned TICKS!
Though I often like to fantasize that Berlin MD is a very special place and that we are somehow immune – seems that we are plagued by the same problems as others living elsewhere (maybe not Antarctica). TICKS!
Perhaps by retelling my own story it is to be hoped that someone else may avoid the often-devastating, resulting infection – Lyme disease. (For basic information visit this link – http://bit.ly/wWUEd )
One evening a couple of weeks ago while scratching, I noticed a lump and found a tick attached to a very delicate area on my upper body. I carefully removed the little critter and checked to make certain that the head was no longer embedded. I then applied alcohol as a disinfectant. However, by that time a large bright, red area about the size of a half dollar had already surrounded the bite site. By best, good fortune, I was scheduled to see my General Practitioner the very next day for an annual, routine exam. I took myself off to the visit armed with that darned tick (now dead) in a baggie! Upon viewing the red-ringed bite site…she exclaimed, “You’re on antibiotics for the next 21 days (63 pills)!” UGH! Extra high doses of antibiotics don’t bode well for the average person, sometimes causing annoying side effects! Ever the doubter, trying to avoid this unwelcome treatment; I asked while holding up the baggie, “Don’t you want to test first?” Her reply, “I don’t need to do that – Sue, whether or not you accept treatment is your decision!” Hmm!
So, at this point, I’m in the mid-way through my term of treatment and suffering few if any, side effects (eating lots of yogurt) and most of the redness has subsided. I’m hopeful for a good result.
While we’ve all heard horror stories of the physical devastation caused by infected ticks apparently there is a 36-hour window within which to begin treatment after being bitten by an infected tick.
Keep your eyes open; check often and if you must go into an overgrown area (or even stand beneath a tree) do a ‘tick check’ afterward and again, OFTEN. I’ve had a number of tick bites over the years – but this one was special!
Beware, even in Berlin, we have those ‘darned ticks’!
