I was bitten by a tick on the back of my neck about two weeks ago after a hike. The tick had only latched on for a second or two and I got it off. It was a larger tick (not the type with Lyme disease) and I never got the tell tale haze around the redened bite area either so I am in the clear for any tick bourne illness. However, I got a swollen lymph node right next to the bite which is still swollen after two weeks and just today I noticed another smaller softer lump (seems like another lymph node) just below the other.
I am a bit of a hypochondric, so am very worried.
I had my friend (a psychiatrist - obviously with medical training) look at the one lump and he said that it feels very superficial. Also, my chiropractor saw it and didn't seem too concerned. I have read that one can get an infection after a bite like I received and that it can take the swollen lymph nodes a long time to go down afterwards. I am still worried though, especially since I got the second swollen lump just today.
Both lumps are softish, particulary the second. They are pea sized or smaller.
I have read that if I go to a doctor, I will probably be put on antibiotics, which I am not eager to take as I don't like to take drugs and besides, if it is indeed an infection, isn't that why the lymph noes are swelling? To fight off the infection caused by the bite? Shouldn't they be allowed to do their work? I guess I just want reassurance that it is a simple infection and that the lymph nodes will go down in time. Perhaps only a doctor can do that.
Otherwise I am very healthy. I don't have a fever or any other side effects.
I am female and forty years old.
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I was bitten by a tick on the back of my neck about two weeks ago after a hike. The tick had only latched on for a second or two and I got it off. It was a larger tick (not the type with Lyme disease) and I never got the tell tale haze around the redened bite area either so I am in the clear for any tick bourne illness. However, I got a swollen lymph node right next to the bite which is still swollen after two weeks and just today I noticed another smaller softer lump (seems like another lymph node) just below the other.
February 4, 2011 - 1:00pmI am a bit of a hypochondric, so am very worried.
I had my friend (a psychiatrist - obviously with medical training) look at the one lump and he said that it feels very superficial. Also, my chiropractor saw it and didn't seem too concerned. I have read that one can get an infection after a bite like I received and that it can take the swollen lymph nodes a long time to go down afterwards. I am still worried though, especially since I got the second swollen lump just today.
Both lumps are softish, particulary the second. They are pea sized or smaller.
I have read that if I go to a doctor, I will probably be put on antibiotics, which I am not eager to take as I don't like to take drugs and besides, if it is indeed an infection, isn't that why the lymph noes are swelling? To fight off the infection caused by the bite? Shouldn't they be allowed to do their work? I guess I just want reassurance that it is a simple infection and that the lymph nodes will go down in time. Perhaps only a doctor can do that.
Otherwise I am very healthy. I don't have a fever or any other side effects.
I am female and forty years old.
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