Insect bite from the farm - very swollen and sore

[SingleMumAndProud]

Hi. I went to a mini farm with the kids on tuesday. Didn't think much of a little insect bite on my foot that didn't hurt at the time. It is getting more and more sore and is now swollen and the whole of the top of my foot is a now a different colour to the other foot (a reddish colour). I can't flex my foot properly and it is very sore to touch (and hurts even without touching).

Is it OK? Do I need to get it seen to? If its just me being a wimp/over dramatic then I am happy to just let it pass. But just checking that it couldn't be something more?

Does anybody know?

Yes, do see a doc. Could have developed into cellulitis (sp?) which needs antibiotics. (Is it at all watery under the skin rather than firm?) Or something else that needs anti-bs.

No its not watery. Its fairly firm (although I can't tell too much as its too painful to prod around!)

Do you think it can wait till tomorrow at least?

my SIL was bitten by a horse fly a few weeks ago, it swelled up horribly and became red and infected, her GP gave her antibiotics and antihistamines and it got better. sounds like this is what you need too. If its infected its likely to get worse, b ut if you want to wait until tomorrow you can, I'd get it seen to sooner rather than later though.

Doctor NOW. You have cellulitis in that bite and need antibiotics. You are, I'm afraid, in for a few days of pain and not being able to wear anything elegant on your feet. If you have any antihistamine handy take one NOW. But don't ignore this, or you will really suffer.

I have havefever and allergy tablets? Would that help? I will ring the doctor and see if I can get seen today. Its such a pain. On my own with 2 under 3s.

Honestly SMP I have had this twice. The first time I thought, oh well it will go away. It didn't, my leg swelled, my foot swelled, I ended up hobbling around on a walking stick for a few days and according to my GP was lucky not to have to spend 48 hours on an antibiotic drip.
The second time I recognised it within a few hours (it started on a Sunday) and was off down the walk in clinic first thing Monday morning, still ended up limping fora week.
Best of luck.

Doctor. I ended up on a drip with cellulitis from a horsefly bite.
Hope you feel better soon.

Just rang the doctor and they have said they can't see me today and to ring back tomorrow. They have said I could go to minor injuries, but I will probably have to wait for a couple of hours. I don't know what to do. Waiting in a hospital for 2 hours with a 1 year old and a 2 year old is going to be awful. But a bit worried.

I wish it wasn't so hard to just get checked out!

Singlemum - I would seriously go to the minor injuries unit. If it is cellulitis, you need to treat it asap. It will only get worse if you leave it. And you will be unable to walk properly which will make it much harder to look after your kids. (I know waiting is not fun but neither is cellulitis.)

I was unfortunate enough to turn up in A&E with cellulitis during August when you get the wet behind the ears junior docs - the one who saw me was befuddled and tried to insist it was a sprain. Saved by a very sensible and experienced nurse who was VERY kind to him about his mistake!

(Appropriate use of A&E btw, I was on a narrowboat holiday so was nowhere near my own GP and had no idea where any minor injuries units might be. And at least that junior doc learnt how to spot cellulitis which might come in handy.)

bump - really don't know what to do

Sorry cross posted.

Go and get it attended to. Bit of a pain now, but a hugely bigger pain if you prevaricate.

I think I am off to stay with my parents, and go to their local hospital that have minor injuries till 8pm and I will have people to look after the kids.

I have now been sick and feel faint - could it be related?

I am off to the local minor injuries now.

My ex is unbelieable. He won't take the kids for the night incase they don't sleep. So I am off to the hospital with both the kids with a 2 hour estimated wait (phoned and checked). Twat.

My 12 year old had this last week.

Bitten on Friday and feet swelled up badly. They were hot and red and I was giving antihistamine. Went to a pharmacist on Saturday who was useless. We were not at home and on Sunday the bites were turning purple so I took him to a walk in GP centre.

He's on antibiotics now and the GP told me there is no alternative once cellulitis has set in.
Worried about future bites now, especially as we go abroad next week.

inthesticks, it shouldn't keep happening - a cellulitis is just an unlucky thing (infection getting into the wound). You can get it repeatedly if you have an underlying condition like diabetes. But I've had it twice in my life and the rest of the time had normal bites so I'm sure your DS will be fine.

Back from hospital - they didn't do anything. Said to rest it and take the hayfever tablets daily.

SIngleMum: I don't like the sound of the fainting and puking. OK I am a) not a doctor and b) can't see your foot but here's another piece of advice. Get a biro and draw a line on your leg either side of the inflamed, red area, about an inch or so away from the edge of the inflammation. If the redness crosses this line call your out of hours GP service and tell them - they may send a GP with some penicillin or they may send you to A&E. If you have cellulitis and it starts spreading, then you need antibiotics quickly.

SHe did say at the hospital "it may spread up your leg"

Do you know if the doctor you saw was experience or a newly fledged junior just out of med school, by any chance? (Am not sure if they've changed the dates of rotations.) 'It may spread up your leg' sounds like worrying advice. If it gets worse, I would definitely seek other help - NHS Direct or GP surgery. Not the same thing but I once had an A&E doc puzzled, had to go to my GP as it didn't clear up - GP took one look and knew exactly what was wrong straight away.

I have no idea. She seemed quite confident though and when I questioned it she said I could always come back if it got worse.

Have done the line thing. I think it has spread slightly as it is now round my ancle and I certainly didn't notice it there.

there was a thing about this in the DM today - there's a lot of it about apparently (it mentioned horseflies & also Blandford flies (aka blackflies I think) & something else)

article here

antibiotics asap seems to be the thing

Keep an eye on those lines. If it is spreading, contact a doctor.

(I know I didn't entirely take my own advice last time but was already on the heavy antibiotics when the inflammation appeared to be spreading).