Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For A Tick Bite In A Child
Question: My 10 year old daughter was visiting a friend in the country for a week. She got bit by a tick sometime between May 24-28th. When she got home on the 29th I checked her for ticks, found one on her upper thigh, and got rid of it. She developed a rash covering her entire back the next day, but I chalked that up to playing outdoors. I noticed on Friday XXXXXXX 2nd that it had spread to her stomach, so I took her to urgent care. The Dr there said it didn't look like anything but prescribed doxycycline 100mg 2x a day for ten days, which she started that night. Today I noticed a couple things, but am unsure if they're related to the tick bite, the antibiotic or something else entirely. Her face is looking very flushed, for one. And she just showed me a new rash on her leg that looks more like broken blood vessels than a rash. Any ideas?
Brief Answer:
persisting allergic reaction.To rule out drug rash.Upload Image
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for contacting HCM
I have gone through your history and description.
Usually a tick bite will show a localized rash at the site of the bite, as well as a generalized rash may spread as an allergic reaction of the body to the tick. It may be more so if the child has a history of allergies or eczema.
Before coming to a further diagnosis, I hope you have checked all over, esp. on the scalp for any hidden ticks, and also made sure there are no signs of any fragments left behind. They can also trigger a reaction.
I would also like to know if the doctor prescribed any other medication for the allergy/rash alone i.e, antihistamines like benadryl, and any creams or application.
Did you notice any new rashes prior to today? Anything over the face, palms, soles? Any redness or watering of the eyes? swelling on the face, lips, tongue or peeling of skin/blistering? Fever?
Any history of prior drug allergies? We would need to rule out possibility of doxycycline allergy as well.
If you're comfortable with it, you may upload an image of the rashes and prescription.
For the time being apply a soothing calamine lotion.
Blood tests may be required. I will guide you as soon as you revert with the above clarifications
Take care. Hope this helps you.
persisting allergic reaction.To rule out drug rash.Upload Image
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for contacting HCM
I have gone through your history and description.
Usually a tick bite will show a localized rash at the site of the bite, as well as a generalized rash may spread as an allergic reaction of the body to the tick. It may be more so if the child has a history of allergies or eczema.
Before coming to a further diagnosis, I hope you have checked all over, esp. on the scalp for any hidden ticks, and also made sure there are no signs of any fragments left behind. They can also trigger a reaction.
I would also like to know if the doctor prescribed any other medication for the allergy/rash alone i.e, antihistamines like benadryl, and any creams or application.
Did you notice any new rashes prior to today? Anything over the face, palms, soles? Any redness or watering of the eyes? swelling on the face, lips, tongue or peeling of skin/blistering? Fever?
Any history of prior drug allergies? We would need to rule out possibility of doxycycline allergy as well.
If you're comfortable with it, you may upload an image of the rashes and prescription.
For the time being apply a soothing calamine lotion.
Blood tests may be required. I will guide you as soon as you revert with the above clarifications
Take care. Hope this helps you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Thank you for getting back to me.
I have double and triple checked for more ticks and any mouths that may be under her skin and haven't found anything.
She has never had a skin allergy or eczema.
The urgent care Dr didn't prescribe anything other than the doxycycline, but I've been putting a hydrocortisone lotion on her back and stomach.
The rash started last Tuesday and spread to her stomach Thursday or Friday. Then today, I noticed her face being red. When I held her cheek to get a better look, it turned her skin bright red like she'd been slapped. Before she went to bed she showed me the broken blood vessels on her legs.
She does have a severe penicillin allergy. She hasn't had it since she was 3, but at the time she looked like she had head to toe measles for upwards of three weeks. She's never had any adverse reactions to tetracyclines though.
I'll attach pictures of all three rashes. Her original bite is up in her business, so I won't include that, but it hasn't changed in size or shape since I removed the tick, and there is no "ring" around it.
I have double and triple checked for more ticks and any mouths that may be under her skin and haven't found anything.
She has never had a skin allergy or eczema.
The urgent care Dr didn't prescribe anything other than the doxycycline, but I've been putting a hydrocortisone lotion on her back and stomach.
The rash started last Tuesday and spread to her stomach Thursday or Friday. Then today, I noticed her face being red. When I held her cheek to get a better look, it turned her skin bright red like she'd been slapped. Before she went to bed she showed me the broken blood vessels on her legs.
She does have a severe penicillin allergy. She hasn't had it since she was 3, but at the time she looked like she had head to toe measles for upwards of three weeks. She's never had any adverse reactions to tetracyclines though.
I'll attach pictures of all three rashes. Her original bite is up in her business, so I won't include that, but it hasn't changed in size or shape since I removed the tick, and there is no "ring" around it.
Brief Answer:
consequent rash due to tick borne illness.cont treatment.test to confirm
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
unfortunately I haven't received any image upload.
Thank you for getting back to me with the details.
It seems like the tick bite caused an allergic response with rashes over the body. These will subside in a few more days. I suggest you add an allergy medication like benadryl and continue the application for a week or so along with calamine lotion.
The newer symptoms suggest a possible infection (?viral) transmitted by the tick. But Doxycycline has already been given, so there is no need for immediate treatment. Post infectious flushing and skin spots/rashes seem to have developed.
Observe for any fever, weakness, abdominal complaints or worsening of symptoms, in which case, review with the dermatologist/pediatrician.
To confirm, blood test for tick borne disease is advisable, along with a general infection panel. Currently treatment remains the same.
Also it is better to avoid any allergy prone foods and red meat as it is known to cause a reaction to tick bite saliva, even after a considerable duration.
Do review with the doctor if no improvement in a day or two and confirm diagnosis.
Thank you
consequent rash due to tick borne illness.cont treatment.test to confirm
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
unfortunately I haven't received any image upload.
Thank you for getting back to me with the details.
It seems like the tick bite caused an allergic response with rashes over the body. These will subside in a few more days. I suggest you add an allergy medication like benadryl and continue the application for a week or so along with calamine lotion.
The newer symptoms suggest a possible infection (?viral) transmitted by the tick. But Doxycycline has already been given, so there is no need for immediate treatment. Post infectious flushing and skin spots/rashes seem to have developed.
Observe for any fever, weakness, abdominal complaints or worsening of symptoms, in which case, review with the dermatologist/pediatrician.
To confirm, blood test for tick borne disease is advisable, along with a general infection panel. Currently treatment remains the same.
Also it is better to avoid any allergy prone foods and red meat as it is known to cause a reaction to tick bite saliva, even after a considerable duration.
Do review with the doctor if no improvement in a day or two and confirm diagnosis.
Thank you
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
