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Suggest Treatment For Itching And Redness On The Body After An Insect Bite

Posted on Fri, 22 Jul 2016

Question: I was bitten about two weeks ago by what i thought was a spider. It was itchy and red. It had a crust on the bite and I treated it with neosporin. It went away. On friday, I experienced flu like symptoms nd was wondering if it was a deer tick bite.

i was in the grass and we have deer in our area. I thought it was a spider bite since i have one lsat year and it went away after the neosporin. It had a large red circle but had crusty center and was like the pictire of a spider bite that I saw on web md. Did not see a tick.

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possible tick bite

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns.

You were out in the grass and had a bite by some insect that caused a red area and then flu like symptoms. This could be a tick bite but it could be any type of insect bite including spider or mosquito. Since you developed a red area and fever I would assume it maybe a tick bite. I would recommend that you go to your medical provider and have testing for possible Tick borne diseases like Lyme or Rocky Mountain Spotted fever. It is better to error on the side of caution then waiting and have long term problems especially with untreated Lyme disease.

I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (2 hours later)

I just returned from the doctor and she perscribed an antibiotic. I was wondering if the initial bite( two weeks ago) and now cleared up could cause the flu like symptoms now and the new red rash on my side. Could it be form the same bite or did I contact another bug an few days go and then experience the symptoms? i am wondering if the spider bite was unrelated to my symptoms. I did not see a tick.

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Spider bites

Detailed Answer:
Usual spider bites are only local affecting unless is was a black widow or a brown recluse spider. These bites will be very different that what you are currently experiencing. A Black widow spider bite is a neurotoxin and can cause seizures and other neurological symptoms. The brown recluse spider bites are hematological in nature and will cause low platelet counts which deal with blood clotting. Most any other spider bite may just cause local skin reaction and nothing systemically. With your history you would not have been in any areas that you would find black widow or Brown recluse spiders. These spiders are very isolated and hide in dark areas and not found in grass or fields.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (19 hours later)

I now have a large red rash on my side which is tender to the touch. I was wondering if it could be shilgles. My fiend said that she had shingles even though she had the sshot. I has the shot about 7 years ago. I have started on doxycycline. I am not sure that it is a reaction to a deer tick(Lyme disease). Could it be a mild case of shingles. It is in myfamily. I am still not feeling well.

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
shingles

Detailed Answer:
If the rash develops blisters then you may have shingles. If they do then see your medical provider again is there is medication to take for shingles to help reduce the risk for severe pain after the shingles and to help with the shingles pain. If you submit an image of the rash I maybe able to help better classify you rash

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (28 minutes later)

The rash does not have blisters. I see a red rash 4 by 4. Rash has deminsihed. Symptoms somewhat improved. There seems to be a little spot inside the rash which may be the bite.I am thinking that it must have been a lyme tick though i was covered up outside and can't imagine how a tick culd crawl up my body to bit on my side. I guess they can do this without me noticing?

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
ticks

Detailed Answer:
Yes ticks are very sneaky and can get anywhere on your body without you knowing. I agree more than likely a Tick bite.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (3 minutes later)

thanks, I have my 5 year old grandaughter coing over to go to the yard. Should I cover her with deet bug spray?

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
DEET spray

Detailed Answer:
Yes I would recommend using DEET spray to help prevent mosquito and tick bites

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (1 minute later)

Thanks!

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Your welcome

Detailed Answer:
Your welcome and best wishes

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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar