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Ant Bites On Hand & Back, Allergic To Ant Bites, Swollen With Liquid Filled, Spreading All Over Body, Red Spots On Tongue. Scabies?

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Posted on Fri, 15 Jun 2012
Question: My son is almost two he had ants bites on his hand and a few on his back. It started spreading and getting worse about a week later. He does get a reaction to ant bites they swell up and have clear liquid in them. But now it's everywhere. I was told it was scabies but he also has red spots on tongue and scabies don't go in mouth. Plus me and my other son r not showing any signs of scabies. What can it be.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Jasvinder Singh (30 minutes later)
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.

Such types of itchy rash which appears suddenly and spreads on the whole body can be due to an allergic reaction causing hives or viral rashes. It does not look like scabies which basically involves the finger webs, toes or abdomen. The main complaint you would have written is 'constant itch and scratching'. So you might be right that is not scabies.

The standard treatment of hives and itchy viral rashes is oral antihistaminics and topical steroids. They are easily curable and 100%. Oral antihistaminics relieve itching and you can get them over the counter but some of them may cause drowsiness and moreover since your child is just 2 years old, hence it should be taken under a medical guidance. Though over the counters are available, it is good to avoid self medication for a kid.

Topical steroids is available by prescription from a dermatologist.

In addition you can apply calamine lotion which will help in soothing the skin and give him foods XXXXXXX in vitamin C which is a general anti-allergy supplement. It helps stabilize mast cells so they are less likely to release histamine. You can also give a diet XXXXXXX in vitamin C like citrus fruits, oranges, papaya, grapefruit, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, and pineapple.

Hope this answers your query.

If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. Please accept my answer if you do not have follow up.

Wishing your child a good health.



Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Jasvinder Singh (19 hours later)
Now my other son has them too on his feet
doctor
Answered by Dr. Jasvinder Singh (7 hours later)
Hello,

Thanks for writing back.

You should get your son examined by a dermatologist and get viral rashes ruled out. Till then apply calamine lotion and give him antihistaminics after prescription.

To rule out scabies completely, diagnosis is made by scraping the skin and viewing the material under a microscope to see the characteristic mite or eggs. Although a less likely possibility, you can get it ruled out from a dermatologist.

Hope this answers your query.

If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. Please accept my answer if you do not have follow up.

Wishing your child a good health.

Regards,
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Answered by
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Dr. Jasvinder Singh

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 1578 Questions

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Ant Bites On Hand & Back, Allergic To Ant Bites, Swollen With Liquid Filled, Spreading All Over Body, Red Spots On Tongue. Scabies?

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.

Such types of itchy rash which appears suddenly and spreads on the whole body can be due to an allergic reaction causing hives or viral rashes. It does not look like scabies which basically involves the finger webs, toes or abdomen. The main complaint you would have written is 'constant itch and scratching'. So you might be right that is not scabies.

The standard treatment of hives and itchy viral rashes is oral antihistaminics and topical steroids. They are easily curable and 100%. Oral antihistaminics relieve itching and you can get them over the counter but some of them may cause drowsiness and moreover since your child is just 2 years old, hence it should be taken under a medical guidance. Though over the counters are available, it is good to avoid self medication for a kid.

Topical steroids is available by prescription from a dermatologist.

In addition you can apply calamine lotion which will help in soothing the skin and give him foods XXXXXXX in vitamin C which is a general anti-allergy supplement. It helps stabilize mast cells so they are less likely to release histamine. You can also give a diet XXXXXXX in vitamin C like citrus fruits, oranges, papaya, grapefruit, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, and pineapple.

Hope this answers your query.

If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. Please accept my answer if you do not have follow up.

Wishing your child a good health.