Deer Tick Bite

Deer Tick - Ixodes scapularis

tick dateline: Sunday, February 25, 2007 at 4:15 pm

Yesterday, I was walking in the woods on some deer trails and I got bit by a deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). It gave me a quarter of an inch red welt at the bite location. The deer tick was only about an eighth of an inch long. I noticed the red welt after I pulled the pesty deer tick off of my skin, probably a few hours after the bite. Hopefully, I won't get Lyme's disease. The red welt I have is an allergic reaction to the tick bite and is not the Erythema migrans skin rash associated with Lyme disease. Hopefully, this reaction rash to the deer tick bite will not grow, and disappear within a couple of days. If not, then I'm in trouble and may have Lyme's disease.

The Lyme disease associated Erythema migrans skin rash occurs in a circular rash and continues to grow. The rash may appear anywhere from a day to a month after the deer tick's bite; usually appears in about a week. Of course, the center of the rash may clear as the rash grows, giving the appearance of a bullseye. The rash may be warm, but it is usually not painful. I sure hope I don't get Lyme's disease ... have you seen the list of 83 Lyme disease symptoms? Lyme disease doesn't sound like too much fun.