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Original poster

Mystery Bite - Very Large and Swollen, getting bigger!!

18 replies

tingting · 29/09/2008 16:47

Ive was bitten by some mystery insect which is amazing as i was in my pyjamas! Happened on Saturday night, i woke up Sunday and it was very red, swollen and sore (felt bruised) with an odd zigzag line coming out of the red. It is on the top of my thigh and the line was going toward the inside of my thigh. However since then it has got larger its at least 4x the size and has engulffed the zigzag line, it feels really sore when i walk etc and burns like hell though is not at all itchy.

Ive got an appt with Doctor tomorrow incase i need antibiotics but am i being a bit soft? Ive used cream on it which relieves the heat but its got bigger while using it! Am i being a hypochondriac? Gotta make dinner now put will pop on later to see if anyone could help.

many thanks!

OP posts:

MinkyBorage · 29/09/2008 16:51

I hope you don't think I'm over reacting, but I'd be inclined to give NHS direct a quick ring. I suffer bad allergic reactions to insect bites, as far as I know they are ordinary mosquitoes. The bites swell up, I do not touch them, it nearly kills me, but I don't, they itch like hell, and eventually burst, seeping and itching for days. I was always told that if there is a line going in to the bite then it is important to get it seen to, blood poisoni8ng etc. However, my bf's husband gets exactly what you describe, and has never had anything happen more than the red line.

EffiePerine · 29/09/2008 16:53

Any more red lines? Becasue if so you need antib's and quickly. I had this - went to out of hours GP and got put on several different strong antibiotics for blood infection.

Or you could go and see a pharmacist, they're pretty good at this stuff (they may just ring your GP tho)

nelliec · 29/09/2008 16:56

im a coomunity nurse it sounds like cellulitis that is tracking - caused by bite. (very common) get urgent gp appointment today, they will give you antibiotics.

liath · 29/09/2008 16:58

Take an antihistamine if you haven't already, put some hydrocortisone on it and it needs looked at to see if there is infection there or if it's all just an allergic reaction. HTH

Original poster

tingting · 29/09/2008 19:23

hiya, ive put more bite cream on it and i took an antihistimine this morning and tbh it crippled me with utter exhaustion, i fell asleep twice today which is no good with 2dcs! Im seeing the doctor at 9am tomorrow so will leave it till then as im rather stuck on my own, but i think i will need anti b's, its grown now so that it is actually bigger than the size of my hand! Theres no more red lines just the slight remains of the original one but the red and swelling has kind of grown over it in that direction!

Thankyou for your advices, i'll come back on tomorrow and let you know what they said!

OP posts:

Pushpinia · 29/09/2008 19:27

Gosh I'd be at the Out of hours...you don;t want to risk it if you can possibly get there without too much stress?

Disclaimer: I am a wuss

Original poster

tingting · 29/09/2008 19:33

tbh its just total paranoia theyll think im a dimwit! i feel okay other than totally cream crackered knackered, if i started to feel ill id panic and do something but ive only got to hold out till the morning thank goodness! its not at all itchy which is a blessing really!

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MrsBates · 29/09/2008 19:35

VERY relevant question!! Have just got back from two visits to A@E with DH. He was stung by a wasp on Sat and by Sun pm had hand like a balloon. Infected and spreading so doc this morning gave him double the dose of antibiotics he had been given last night and antihistamine to take for the next week. It is spreading but slowly and the doc said if it begins to spread quickly and seemed to be following a line up his arm to get back asap to be put on IV antibiotics since could indicate blood poisoning. SO if gets worse during the night go in - they were pretty serious about it and you're not making a fuss over nothing. Hope all is well.

avenanap · 29/09/2008 19:36

I've seen this before, it's an infection from the bite, you really do need to get this looked at as soon as you can (tonight that is). It's not paranoia,it is a serious infection and if you don't get it treated you may be in for a hospital stay (seriously). I would go to A&E, you need antibiotics, the sooner the better. I really have seen this before, you really do need to get this looked at tonight before it gets any worse.

Original poster

tingting · 29/09/2008 19:39

hmm i think im going to spend the night examining myself, its on my thigh but i think if for some reason it starts to spread up my body i will do something pronto!

MRSBATES did your dh have any other symptoms? glad he's going to be okay!

OP posts:

avenanap · 29/09/2008 19:42

It doesn't work thatway. It'll be following the vein which will be going under your skin. I don't want to worry you but it will turn into scepticema if it is left untreated. It is very important that you get hold of antibiotics as soon as you can as leaving it until tomorrow may be the difference between you having antibiotics which you can have to take home or having to spend 5 days in hospital having IV antibiotics.

I really would go to A&E.

MrsBates · 29/09/2008 19:43

Yes - the area around the sting has weeping blood blisters (weeping since the fluid in the swelling is so tight now) and he is slightly feverish and woozy.

But agree with aveanap - you shouldn't leave it at all.

A friend also had a similar infection recently - but from her ridiculous platform shoes giving her a blister - and was kept in overnight on a drip. Can you get someone to look after the children and see someone to get it sorted because it will get worse if it's what it sounds like.

Original poster

tingting · 29/09/2008 19:49

i'll come back on in a bit, need to go settle dd

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nelliec · 29/09/2008 20:08

FWIW,i know it sounds a hassle to go to out of hours but if you go tonight you may only need oral antibiotics whereas the longer you leave it the more likely you'll need ivs which is a lot more hassle, not to mention the risk of feeling seriously unwell. its not itching because its an infection and not an allergic reaction.

Pushpinia · 29/09/2008 20:58

Can one of us come and watch her for you while you go?

not sure whereabouts you are.

liath · 29/09/2008 21:16

If it's cellulitis then the chances are you'll be feeling dreadful - high fever etc. Insect bites can often look like cellulitis but aren't (DH has had some corkers). If you draw around the red area with a pen and the redness is rapidly spreadign outside the line then it does need to be seen pronto.

Original poster

tingting · 30/09/2008 15:32

hi all, sorry didnt manage to get back, bit of a pants night, i was okay felt rather poorly, very chilly and headachey as i had all day really, i hung on and went to docs this morning she's given me antihistimines and double dose of antibiotics for a week and said to keep applying the cream. If it doesnt get better or seems to get worse then to get seen straight away. Its not as fierce as it was but is still hot and tender and about the size of 2 hands, so attractive! Thankyou all

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MrsBates · 30/09/2008 19:06

Glad to hear it's OK tingting. My DH is on the mend too - the redness is back inside his biro map drawn on his hand so on the retreat. Now you're all drugged up it will go quickly. Bye!

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