[LostInHisEyez]

I woke up and I walked straight into the bathroom so I could take my shower, while undressing I saw a bug-yes a bug- stuck in my thigh! I was absolutely scared, it didn't hurt but I couldn't pull it out. When I finally did it left like a little sore. Which kind of hurts. I'm not sure what kind of bug it was, it wasn't a tic, too big. But I can't think of anything else.. idk what caused it. I have a cat, but he takes tic stuff and has a flea collar and he doesn't even go outside. I'm kind of freaked because I don't want this to happen again but this time I find out somewhere in public, what was it, and how do I prevent it?:(

[Toluca_86]

Can you describe what it looked like?

There are different kinds of tics you know, that come in different sizes...

[templelane]

Can you give a rough idea where you are because you can get different bugs in different areas. It only has to be rough like "the south of France" don't post up anything too exact!

[LostInHisEyez]

I woke up and i walked straight into the bathroom so i could take my shower, while undressing i saw a bug-yes a bug- stuck in my thigh!! i was absolutely scared, it didnt hurt but i couldnt pull it out. when i finally did it left like a little sore. which kinda hurts. im not sure what kinda bug it was, it wasn't a tic, too big. but i can't think of anything else..idk what caused it. I have a cat, but he takes tic stuff and has a flea collar and he doesnt even go outside. im kinda freaked because i dont want this to happen again but this time i find out somewhere in public, what was it, and how do i prevent it?:(

It was flat, and brown and the head was red, I'm assuming because it was suckin blood... *shivers*. I live in Reading, Pennsylvania. Kind of woodsy where I live, but I'm never out because I work and sleep. It was completely weird. -.-

[J_9]

Sounds like it was a tick to me.

[Toluca_86]

This is one type of tick here, the brown dog tick:

http://www.1800pixtick.com/images/BrownDogGroup.jpg

As you can see, it's body changes size as it fills up with blood. Perhaps what you are used to seeing are "deer ticks"? Those ones are smaller, and mostly black.

[letmetellu]

Sounds like a tick to me also, they can carry the Lime disease and also the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, so if you start to see symptoms of either one see a Dr. You can read the symptoms on line.

[Toluca_86]

Only deer ticks carry Lime disease, I think.

[Alty]

If you ripped it out and it's a tic then it's possible that the legs are still in your skin and will grow back. Go to a doctor, you could be at risk for Lyhme disease if it was a tic. Better safe than sorry, go to the doc.

Good Luck.

[J_9]

Alty, I think you mean it's important to make sure the head is out.

[Toluca_86]

"If you ripped it out and it's a tic then it's possible that the legs are still in your skin and will grow back"

I don't know where you heard that but I can guarantee you it's not true. It can't grow back. There are a lot of funny myths surrounding things like ticks, I know.

And again, she didn't have a deer tick she most probably had a dog tick, so Lime disease is not a worry...

And just in case you're wondering where I get my info, well, I grew up in a region with lots of ticks, I've had a bunch in my lifetime, and I've also talked to a wildlife biologist about their biology.

[Alty]

Ah, yes, sorry J, you are right, that's what I meant. Eek, I really can't drink coffee and type at the same time. Sorry.

It is important to get it checked out though, tics aren't easy to remove and it does have to be done correctly, a doctors appointment is still a good idea.

Good Luck, and let us know how it goes.

[Alty]

Okay, here is a site that I found that will tell you more about ticks.

Tick identification and removal « Offthegridgirls's Weblog