Worried about getting Lyme disease

[Oblivion656]

I have a strange bite. It occurred to me sometimes I walk through the grass. And when I researched Lyme Disease, everything is the same. Occurs often in my state (abundant), occurs more often at this time of year, they like to bite were the bite is located.  According to the aldf (american Lyme disease foundation). Everything seems set up perfectly so I can worry about it.

And I'm worrying about it, I didn't see any ticks on the bite, I just felt it today after I took a sleep 1am to 6 am) noticed it at 6 am I think. I don't know if this could have occurred 2 days ago because I didn't take a shower in a while. Would I have noticed the bite by then, I often have my socks off when I'm in the house. Reason why I ask, because it says if the tick successfully stays in 36 hours I can get the disease.

I did walk across the grass at 9:00 pm. Got home at 10:00 pm, stayed up until 12:00 pm, then took a nap.

Perhaps something bitten me while I'm sleeping. What am I asking is A. Would I have noticed an obvious rash the days before and let the tick just sit there. I can't be sure, and I may just sit here and worry about it. I have attached a picture. What kind of bite does this look like to you guys?

Another thing that is setup perfectly so I can when in doubt worry about it some more is that 10% of infections don't have to show the expanding rash that they show or symptoms, so I could get the disease later on and not even know it. Just perfect right? I don't know, you tell me if I should worry. I'll attach a picture.

[Oblivion656]

I don't think that would do me any good, because according to this girl posting replies to me and giving her stories not even doctors can be correct:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Lyme-Disease/Is-this-tick-bite-or-lyme-disease-bite-and-when-did-it-occur/show/2202387

She says this :


You say:  "Again my chances are 10% if no bulls eye rash occurs."  Balderdash.

"And then my chance is even lower if that tick wasn't attached to that spot for more than 36 hours."  More balderdash.

"Despite you saying there is no scientific evidence. But that is what they say at the CDC."  And the CDC is wrong.   "


Again, they can't just pull this information out of their butt. She seems to be a lyme disease expert. They have to have some evidence to back up information they said. She is simply saying they are wrong with no evidence to back up her claim.

If CDC is wrong and doctors are wrong. Then who can I trust? I have to further inquire her and ask her why would they say if no bulls eye rash occurs and why if the tick is attached for more than 36 hours why is it more riskier. She is simply saying doctors and scientist could make this information so people don't panic. And that she is comparing that to doctors lying about aids.

She is really saying I should get treatment right away and take no chances.

My dad says it's not a tick bite, and that he wouldn't worry about every little strange markings on my body. And that you really have to be in the woods to get it. But my dad's obviously not a doctor or anything. Is all of this just an over reaction? I mean even if I go to the doctor, what's he going to say, he can't prove 100% scientifically without a doubt that I didn't get lyme disease.

She said this also:

"I remember clearly one of the head docs at the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) going on live TV in his long white doctor coat to stand in front of the news cameras to intone solemnly that if you were not gay, you could not get AIDS.  He just flat said it, in an effort to quell the growing panic in the nation and elsewhere that AIDS could be transmitted as easily as the common cold.  And at that point in the arrival of AIDS as a new disease, there was great confusion among the docs ... similar to the confusion now about Lyme.

In contrast with AIDS, the good news about Lyme is that it isn't as deadly as AIDS, tho it can make you quite ill.  Been there, done that. "


Honestly, Lyme is not deadly, I'm not going to even bother with it. I don't even know what to think at this point. She is saying doctors simply don't know enough about Lyme so it's pointless, I guess.

I don't even know what to think at this point.

[michigan07]

A doctor and only a doctor can tell you if you truly have Lyme disease. It's not about it being "bad", it's about getting the right information. No one in the forum will be able to tell you with 100 % certainty whether you do have Lyme disease but you will get support for your anxiety, which is what in my opinion is the true issue. If you are extremely bothered go to the doc and get a quick blood test if he feels it's needed.

[Oblivion656]

@ThePinkFloyd
A little piece of hair was in a way so
I got another picture:

http://www.medhelp.org/photos/show/10551276?type=posts

I'm honestly too tired to go see a doctor. Besides even if I make an appointment the thing would probably heal up before he even sees it. I would have to print out the picture to show him anyways.

Is it that bad you think I should see a doctor?

Anyways, I did post my problem in the Lyme disease forum. I wouldn't research this for 6 months. But I do like some insight. I will wait for further comments.

[ThePinkFloyd]

He said that this is just a reaction of my body to the shampoo.I can't tell you what this rash of yours is...but I can tell you that when anxiety takes over you can dramatize anything.Go see a doctor and he will know if this is a common rash or something else.Do not search the internet.Believe me I ruined 6 months of my life because I searched the internet.I wish I have never searched it.Trust your doctor and you will be fine.

[Oblivion656]

@ThePinkFloyd

Yes, I did take a hot shower at 7:00 pm. So you are saying this might not even be from a insect to begin with? What did the dermatologist call this type of bite?

And also where the bite occur would mean the tick would have to through my socks. Is that even possible that he can bite through my socks? Maybe I'm over thinking this.

[Oblivion656]

@michigan07, ironically, I have a hard time making appointments. I get extremely nervous when I go to the doctor. I mean they will definitely ask what the appointment is about. Especially I get nervous making the appointment over the phone.

I just want some insight in general. And getting a therapist is an extreme method, and requires a lot of money. It would be extremely embarrassing for me to get one. I would have to do everything in secret. I'm a cheapskate by nature anyways.

[ThePinkFloyd]

Man I develop this kind of rash allmost everytime I take a bath.I have it in multiple places allover my body.Dermatology sais its natural after a hot bath.

[michigan07]

I would not worry as that will put you in a bad cycle and that it's very unlikely you have it. If you are concerned about the bite you received you can see your doctor and they can rule it out ( and do yourself a favor if you see the doc and they say it's not Lyme disease, unless they're a quack take their word for it). More at issue here is your anxious thought process and if you feel you can't control that I would advise talking to a therapist.