Bug Bites

[bbro]

I got a bite this weekend on my knee. I have no clue what bit me, only that it showed up yesterday morning. I think I am getting worse and worse reactions to bug bites as time goes on. Anyway, this one is on the right side of my left knee near my kneecap. The thing that worries me is that half of my knee is now an angry red, warm (I can feel the heat through my jeans), swollen, and only slightly itchy since I put neosporin on it (don't ask me why, I was on a roll).

Does anyone have any ideas on how to ease this or treatment ideas? I can't really put ice on it because I am at work.

Thanks

[Hoof Hearted]

Aspercreme? That is a creme analgesic. (like an aspirin creme)
HydraCortisone? Steroid creme?
Call your pharmacist and ask them what they recommend?
hh

[wolf]

Go to your doctor, or to the ER.

I know too many people who had to get spider bites deep debrided (which means they cut stuff out of your leg), which ain't fun.

[Trilby]

Right on, wolf. A brown recluse bite can be extremely nasty.

[bbro]

HH - I have benedryl gel, but it really isn't that itchy.

Originally Posted by wolf

Go to your doctor, or to the ER.

I know too many people who had to get spider bites deep debrided (which means they cut stuff out of your leg), which ain't fun.

This is what I am afraid of! Guess it is time for me to find a local doctor!
I am not sure what kind of bit it is? Is there anyway to tell??

[wolf]

The fact that it's hot (i.e., infected) and not itchy is what makes it bad.

If you don't have a doc, go to the ER.

Are there either brown recluse spiders or black widows where you live?

[bbro]

I have been looking online and yes, they are in the area, but my bite doesn't look like any they have described or pictured.

Thanks for the advice. I will definately be seeing someone in the next few hours

[barefoot serpent]

probably should ice it and elevate it too.

[Happy Monkey]

Brown recluse would be painful, not just hot, though, right?

Or does the pain come later?

[bbro]

Originally Posted by barefoot serpent

probably should ice it and elevate it too.

I have been fruitlessly calling dr's but there is no way I can get a same day appt since I am not an established patient. I showed it to a woman who has been here her entire life and seems to think that the above course of action is the best for now and that it doesn't look bad. I an currently sitting with my leg on a CPU tower, pants rolled up, and a grocery bag with ice sitting on my knee. I must say that it is about 10 times better now. I tried to ice it last night, but my spongebob pack was not doing anything.

Re: Happy Monkey

Brown recluse spider bites often go unnoticed initially because they are usually painless bites. Occasionally, some minor burning that feels like a bee is noticed at the time of the bite. Symptoms usually develop 2-8 hours after a bite. Keep in mind that most bites cause little tissue destruction.

Victims may experience these symptoms:


Severe pain at bite site after about 4 hours
Severe itching
Nausea
Vomiting
Fever
Myalgias (muscle pain)

Initially the bite site is mildly red and upon close inspection may reveal fang marks. Within a few hours, the redness gives way to pallor with a red ring surrounding the area, or a "bull's-eye" appearance. The lesion will often appear to flow downhill over the course of many hours. The center area will then often blister, which over 12-48 hours can sink, turning bluish then black as this area of tissue dies. The wound can appear like the following:

Bull's-eye appearance (common) (Note: If you live in an area where Lyme disease is common (Northeastern states), then this type of lesion is more likely caused by tick-borne Lyme disease than a brown recluse spider bite.)

Blistering (common)

Necrosis (death) of skin and subcutaneous fat (less common)

Severe destructive necrotic lesions with deep wide borders (rare)

From here http://www.emedicinehealth.com/spide...e/page3_em.htm

[wolf]

I've known three people locally who had brown recluse bites. None of them had the nausea and vomiting, but did have the swelling, redness, and eventually necrosis.

[xoxoxoBruce]

A year ago, a friend that had just retired, got bitten on the arm by a spider of undetermined type. He was too sick to make it to his mother's funeral a week later.

[bbro]

Originally Posted by wolf

I've known three people locally who had brown recluse bites. None of them had the nausea and vomiting, but did have the swelling, redness, and eventually necrosis.

The swelling went down by the end of Monday (sorry, I should have posted an update - stupid work). It was completely normal by Tuesday morning, just a little itchy. I am still keeping an eye on it, though. Of everything I have read, unless you know exactly what bit you or can bring in the offending spider, they really can't tell what to do. How long did it take for your friends to develop necrosis? Did they have any other symptoms?

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

A year ago, a friend that had just retired, got bitten on the arm by a spider of undetermined type. He was too sick to make it to his mother's funeral a week later.

That's too bad! I'm sorry that happened to him. I have gotten many bites of undetermined type - the bugs like me for some unknown reason - but fortunately have never been that bad!

[wolf]

Given that he went into the first ER, said, I have been bitten by a brown recluse, the doctor said, "We don't have those," he said "Yes we do," doctor said here's some antibiotic cream, have a good day." Two days later, different ER, similar conversation, three days after that, family physician is sending him to a city hospital for debriding the wound and IV antibiotics. So, less than a week.

Incidentally, we've always had brown recluse spiders here (aka Fiddlebacks). The first ER doc was an idiot. The second one was actually confused by the fact that it is wintertime ... but my friend was doing home remodelling and encountered the spiders when he ripped down some drywall.

[bbro]

Thanks for the info, I will keep an eye on it.

I can't believe that he was dismissed by not one, but two doctors!