The next day I noticed an itchy rash about the size of nickel around the area, but this is pretty typical of tick bites.  Two days after I removed the tick, the rash had grown to an inch or so in diameter and was turning red.   That concerned me a little, so I went to some web sites on lyme disease.  But, they mentioned the tick generally had to be attached for 24 hours or more, and the rashes they showed were huge, so I decided to wait and see if things got more serious.  The third day, the rash was about 1-1/2 inches in diameter, and a deeper shade of red, like a sunburn.   But, on the fourth day, it started to heal and recede.   So, I felt it was a little worse bite than usual, but nothing to worry about.  Over the next few days the rash quickly vanished. 

Then, on the fifth day, I started to feel like I might be coming down with a cold–a slightly sore throat, feeling a little off etc.   I didn’t think much of this–if you ignore stuff like this, it frequently goes away.   But on the sixth day, it got a little worse, and I had an unusual “hot flash”, where I ran a fever briefly..  So, I started to check the web sites again, and found an excellent source of information at www.LymePa.org, the Lyme Disease Association of Southwest Pennsylvania, Inc.   After reading a brochure they publish, (Lyme Disease and Associated Diseases, The Basics)  it became clear that I had better see a doctor quickly, so I immediately scheduled an appointment with my doctor.  After a quick visit with him,  I was started on a program of doxycycline, (tetracycline) .  This seems to be curing the effects I had noticed, and this should be a successful cure for this. 

Looking back on this, I realized that I had been lucky.   I knew of the tick bite, noticed the rash around it, was able to find a helpful web site, and then was able to find a doctor who was willing to prescribe antibiotics for this problem.  But, if the tick had been small one that I overlooked, or if there had not been a rash, I probably would not have seen a doctor.  And, when I found a doctor, I found one who was willing to prescribe antibiotics to treat this.   If it hadn’t been for these fortunate circumstances, I could have easily ignored the problems I had, had them go away, and then have the disease come back again years later as mysterious aches and pains or chronic fatigue problems. 

Based my experience, there are some recommendations I would make for anyone who works or hikes in the woods or who lives a rural area in Florida.  These are:

Preventing tick bites.  I had treated my pants with Permanone, but had laundered them three or four times before working on the trail.  From now on, I’ll plan treating them again after two washings.   And, I will be double checking and triple checking for ticks after a day in the woods;  it is much better to catch them before they dig in.  Light colored clothing also helps–it’s much easier to see ticks on.  I will also be taking a look at other techniques for keeping ticks off.

Become acquainted with tick borne diseases.  I would strongly recommend reading carefully the booklet,  Lyme Disease and Associated Diseases, The Basics.   The Lyme Disease Association of Southwest Pennsylvania, Inc has it available on their web site, http://www.lymepa.org/,  It is a helpful source of information on tick borne diseases and their treatment.   

If you notice any symptoms described in the booklet after being in the woods, I would definitely see a doctor immediately.  This is one case where it pays to be a  hypochondriac!  And, if your doctor refuses to prescribe antibiotics, I would find a doctor who is used to Lyme disease who will prescribe antibiotics if the situation warrants it.  While doctors have become much more reluctant to prescribe antibiotics than they used to be, this is one disease that antibiotics are the only effective cure for.    It is a nuisance to go out and find another doctor, but Lyme disease is too serious to let a doctor’s attitude stop you from getting treatment for it.  Incidentally, the Lyme Disease Association, http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/, has a doctor referral service. 

Unfortunately, Lyme disease is now everywhere, not just in the northeastern United States, and it is something that hikers and anyone else who is in the woods has to be careful about.   While learning about ticks and their problems is not enjoyable, the consequences of ignoring Lyme disease can be devastating.   Knowledge of ticks and tick borne diseases is something that every hiker needs.