What the fuck is this ?!

[sherlockhomeless]

I got bitten tonight, and it's got streaks on my arm now: it's a bit sore but not too bad. Weird! Do I need a drs appointment in the morning

How are you feeling op?

How are you doing OP?

Had surgery yesterday to wash it out. The infliximab has dampened my immune system so whatever it was that got infected just spread rampantly. I'm hopefully going home today or tomorrow on an absolute ton of medication. Feeling a damn sight better than yesterday!

Please don't ignore those lines!

@sherlockhomeless

Had surgery yesterday to wash it out. The infliximab has dampened my immune system so whatever it was that got infected just spread rampantly. I'm hopefully going home today or tomorrow on an absolute ton of medication. Feeling a damn sight better than yesterday!

Please don't ignore those lines!

I’m glad you are doing alright op but what a worry. I’ll definitely be more aware of bites in the future. Take care and I hope you get home soon.

@JingsMahBucket

I’d never heard of tracking either and I’m glad you started this thread. Now I’m wondering what tracking looks like on dark brown skin versus pink skin.

I’m also very glad you’re been being seen and treated quickly. Rest up, you’ve had a horrible 36 hours.

We see a lot of tracking in the podiatry clinic on diabetic ulcers and it usually means sepsis is starting so it's either admission or urgent antibiotics. It's difficult to see on dark skin so you have to rely on other signals, swelling, heat, feeling unwell, lots of exudate coming from the wound. We had someone in a few years ago a very dark skinned man with a skin condition and it took us ages to work out it was sunburn!

@sherlockhomeless

Had surgery yesterday to wash it out. The infliximab has dampened my immune system so whatever it was that got infected just spread rampantly. I'm hopefully going home today or tomorrow on an absolute ton of medication. Feeling a damn sight better than yesterday!

Please don't ignore those lines!

Wow @sherlockhomeless what a relief. I'm mightily glad you're ok.

glad you are ok op

So glad you are ok, hope you get home and get well soon!!!

Glad you're ok, was worried about you

Phew! Full recovery soon, and keep away from beasties

How to keep beasties away though?
The buggers are everywhere

Great to hear you can go home soon. What an ordeal for you! Wishing you a speedy recovery.

@ssd There are some nice natural lotions and potions?
linky eaxmple

This is insane op, I am so glad you got good advice and had this seen to so quickly. I had a tiny bite that swelled and ended up on IV antibiotics for 3 days. At the time I thought why but now I completely understand how you can become unwell very very quickly. Wish you a speedy recovery and lots of rest

So pleased you're feeling better @sherlockhomeless

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

Increasing pain, redness or swelling around a wound (even a tiny one like an insect bite) is a cause for concern. It doesn't matter what caused the wound, the protective layer of skin has been breached and infection can get in. It can even be infection that was just sitting on the surface of your own skin, not necessarily introduced by the biting thing.

Rapidly spreading redness, with or without 'tracking' means things are getting worse, A&E is needed. Also feeling or looking ill,shivery or feverish with it.

People at particular risk are those who are immunosuppressed (like OP), young babies, over 75's, people with diabetes and anyone who is pregnant or has recently given birth (diabetes and pregnancy both affect the immune system).

If in doubt, call 111. They have a very thorough assessment tool for wound/skin infection.

Glad you're feeling better, hope things continue to improve for you

Glad you're feeling better, hopefully you are home now.

I was going to say it looks like a bit my DH had last year and it quickly spread and he ended up with cellulitis.

Pleased you're feeling better @sherlockhomeless, and thank you for the educational photos that mean we now know what to look out for. I also want to second @BoreOfWhabylon's excellent advice, and remind people that if you think the area of redness might be getting bigger it's a good idea to mark the edges of the area with a pen and make a note of the time that you did so. That way if you do end up phoning 111 or going to A&E you've got a baseline for them to go on.

Holy fuck, that escalated quickly!

Hope you’re okay now!!!

Wow OP i haven't heard of this before. Thank you for raising awareness. Hope you are doing ok after the surgery and home again soon 💐

Are you back home and fully recovered now, @sherlockhomeless? I hope so.