Deer tick bite
On Monday morning I removed a deer tick. I’ve had Lyme disease three different times, and each time the symptoms have settled into my joints—especially my hands and fingers. It’s a reminder that having Lyme once doesn’t provide reliable immunity, so every tick bite should be taken seriously. Because I caught this one early, my doctor prescribed the recommended single preventive dose of doxycycline. I’m grateful I only had to take one dose, as doxycycline has always been a difficult medication for me. It causes significant stomach upset and makes me extremely sensitive to the sun. Now I’m hoping that one dose is enough to prevent another round of Lyme disease. If you’ve been bitten by a deer tick, don’t ignore it. Remove it promptly, monitor yourself closely for symptoms, and talk with your healthcare provider about whether preventive treatment is appropriate for you. Here’s hoping this was caught in time.