serenebabetrying not to stress out about the fact that my #RheumatoidArthritis symptoms are kinda just like what #LymeDisease symptoms would be and for the next ~20 days or so I won't know if what I'm feeling is Lyme or not. I guess after that I'll assume it's the RA.
wondering if there are any experts out here maybe #entomology #pathogens #LymeDisease #insects #identification #ticks available to ID this tick from this photo. to me, an amateur, it looks like it's a #DeerTick bc it doesn't have any white or other color on its face/head...? this is next to tweezers. it was on my back for 3-5 days.
Ray Lovegrove@serenebabe It's a tick alright. I live in the Swedish forest and in the summer pick off three or four a week. Unless you get a rash that looks like a target made up of red rings, then you probably haven't got Lyme Disease, but they do carry other things so if it itches for more than a couple of days, you might want to get it checked out.
Mermaid@serenebabe I would def recommend the book Chronic! #ChronicLyme is a thing and there are many infections that fall under #LymePlus and don’t get caught in most tests. Many autoimmune diseases seem to be caused by chronic infections and need to be treated the opposite of how they are treated (ie immune suppressants are the common meds given when that’s the worst thing to do when living with an chronic infection during several pandemics)
Bad News: the medical system is horribly gaslighting when it comes to Chronic Infections and vector caused diseases in general. It’s also really hard to access info, care and meds.
Good news: there are many wonderful people that have made info and research about these problems and solutions open sourced. There are solutions for these infections, especially early on. While I wish I had more access to more meds, I have found things like Olive Leaf extract, tumeric, Ginger and more to be better then the meds I have been able to get (with less side effects too!).
I hope you get the support you need!
Dr. Holly Tuten, Ph.D.@serenebabe hi!
I lead the Illinois Statewide Tick Surveillance program & routinely ID ticks from pictures.
This is an Ixodes sp. tick. I’m confident it’s an adult female but cannot confirm w/out seeing underside of body (pls share pic if you have one).
The species will vary depending on encounter location. It’s most likely:
West of Rockies: Ixodes pacificus
East of Rockies: Ixodes scapularis
Based on degree of engorgement you are correct - it was likely attached for ca. 4 d
I lead the Illinois Statewide Tick Surveillance program & routinely ID ticks from pictures.
This is an Ixodes sp. tick. I’m confident it’s an adult female but cannot confirm w/out seeing underside of body (pls share pic if you have one).
The species will vary depending on encounter location. It’s most likely:
West of Rockies: Ixodes pacificus
East of Rockies: Ixodes scapularis
Based on degree of engorgement you are correct - it was likely attached for ca. 4 d
@VectorCollector hi! thank you for the reply! I sent it to be tested, there was no sign of Lyme!