Doxycycline

[LucyInColor]

Is doxycycline still the drug of choice for early tick bites? I'm planning a section hike & my doctor is pretty nice about giving me antibiotics to carry in case I'm bitten. Has anything changed in the world of tick bite drugs?

[gpburdelljr]

Why not ask your doctor?

[Uncle Joe]

Why not ask your doctor?

Ask your doctor if Doxycycline is right for you!

[rickb]

Ask 10 doctors about the wisdom regarding a prophylactic course of Antibiotics after a tick bite (no symptoms) and you will likely get 10 answers.

Sort of like asking a financial advisor what the “best” investments are for your future.

Good idea to have a plan of action in place BEFORE you reach a decision point. In the not too distant past, one important factor on whether to take antibiotics (and if you decided to, just a couple or a full course) was how long the tick was embedded. Thinking on that may have changed. Another factor is what geographical location you got bit in. Easier to study up now and have a mental decision tree on what to do, than to try and figure e erythimg out in the woods.

You got a tick removal tool or good tweezers?

[OCDave]

Ask 10 doctors about the wisdom regarding a prophylactic course of Antibiotics after a tick bite (no symptoms) and you will likely get 10 answers....

Yes, so much better to pose your medical questions here.

[Sarcasm the elf]

Yes, so much better to pose your medical questions here.

Agreed, however Rick is right insofar as Lyme recearch and recommendations have changed much over the years and not all medical professionals are up to date, particularly if they are not in an area where Lyme is endemic.

There is some merit to inquiring with a group like this to find what advice others have been given by their doctors. With the caveat that nothing should be relied upon until it has been separately verified and discussed with a medical professional.

[rickb]

Agreed, however Rick is right insofar as Lyme recearch and recommendations have changed much over the years and not all medical professionals are up to date, particularly if they are not in an area where Lyme is endemic.

There is some merit to inquiring with a group like this to find what advice others have been given by their doctors. With the caveat that nothing should be relied upon until it has been separately verified and discussed with a medical professional.

The tricky thing about antibiotics is what is best for society as a group, might not be best for any one individual.

Doctors come down differently on how to find a balance.

Do you want a Doctor who errs on the side of your health, or on the community’s health?

Or one that just follows the CDC’s latest recommendation?

Those who see their go-to Doctor as an all-knowing oracle of truth and wisdom, are likely folks who have never experienced serious health issues.

[TexasBob]

........Those who see their go-to Doctor as an all-knowing oracle of truth and wisdom, are likely folks who have never experienced serious health issues.

I hear you. A good doctor knows the limitations of their knowledge and experience and seeks more knowledgeable sources when they reach the edge of their experience and knowledge. To do otherwise is a disservice to their patient and themselves.

[OCDave]

...
Those who see their go-to Doctor as an all-knowing oracle of truth and wisdom, are likely folks who have never experienced serious health issues.

Those who come here, or any internet site, seeking medical advice from anonymous poster are folks who really have no clue.

Not happy with your doctor's advice, find another doctor. Asking the local grocer, mechanic, fish monger or tailor about health care rather than a healthcare proffessional is simply unwise.

[becfoot]

Doxy is the drug of choice. I know too many NY'ers who have been recently bitten and that's what they're all getting and what you'd get if you went to urgent care here. One of my friends who got bitten is the wife of an ER doctor. She got the Doxy.

[foodbag]

I got Lyme in 2005 on the Trail in NJ - doxy for 30 days cleared it right up.

[chef4]

If you take it you need to be careful about sun exposure, it can lead to a severe sunburn or rash.

[TexasBob]

An once of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Consider treating your clothes with Sawyers or sending them off to Insect Shield because not getting ticks in the first place is the best way to deal with tick borne diseases.

https://sawyer.com/products/permethr...ent-treatment/

https://www.insectshield.com/ISYOC.aspx

[Sarcasm the elf]

An once of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Consider treating your clothes with Sawyers or sending them off to Insect Shield because not getting ticks in the first place is the best way to deal with tick borne diseases.

https://sawyer.com/products/permethr...ent-treatment/

https://www.insectshield.com/ISYOC.aspx

I highly recommend insectshield for tick prevention.

[Sarcasm the elf]

Since we’re discussing tick bite prophylaxis, I ran across these two articles recently that you may find relevant.

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.105...00107123450201

https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/tickborned...ophylaxis.html

[SWODaddy]

We're all going to die from pimples in 30yrs from over prescription of antibiotics.

[Five Tango]

I make it a point not to take antibiotics unless it's absolutely necessary.So far I have had two tick bites that required treatment.I now treat my clothes with permethrin and also take some supplements which I believe repel mosquitoes at least.

[wordstew]

Some of the studies suggest that 3-4 days of doxy within 24 hours of the bite is just as effective as 30 days

[chef4]

Here are a couple of things that everyone should know:
1. Most Lyme disease comes from the tiny tick nymphs, about the size of a poppy seed, who transmit the disease in spring and until midsummer, they're easily missed on self exam. The larger ticks can transmit it, but they are easier to find, and they are more active later. They typically have to be on you for more than a day before the disease can be transmitted.
2. If you decide to take doxycycline try to limit sun exposure, as it can sensitize you to sunburn (similar to essential oils, see related posting)

[Sailing_Faith]

Just because it has not come up yet, do not take old Doxycycline! While many Rx meds are ok to take past their expiration date, doxy becomes liver toxic...... so that Rx you had filled years ago that you may be carrying ‘just in case’ needs to be replaced.