OT.....Infected insect bite?

[melimcn]

Has anyone ever had anything like this?

I'm not sure what bit me....I have a bite of some sort on my chest just below my collar bone. I noticed it last Friday, and it's gotten bigger and more swollen, with a definite pin head sized hole in the middle. It's about the size of a quarter now.

The thing that concerns me, is right about the time that this started to get really red and swollen, I started to have pain in my armpit - like a bruise - but I can't feel a bump of any sort. I'm concerned that it's infected.

Has anyone had anything similar to this, and what did you do?

I can't even get my doctor on the phone, much less get in to see her.
So I'm a little nervous and I don't know what to do....

Thanks all!

 

[debbydarestobefit]

Do you have a Redi-center or something similar near by? Were you outside? Do you have a rash too? Lyme's is what came to mind when I read your post. At any rate, if you think it's infected, you may need anti-biotics and the sooner you start the treatment, the better. Better to be safe than sorry. HTH, Deb

 

[jonahnah]

2 questions: Does the quarter sized spot itch or does it hurt? (Really intensely or a little?) If it's pretty painful and itches intensely, it could be a staph infection. I had a small one on my face a few months ago and it hurt like hell and made me want to claw my skin off to stop the itching. I had to take oral antibiotics and apply a topical cream.

I know there are many very knowledgeable people with medical backgrounds here in the forum so they may have better insight or know more about other symptoms for staph (or whatever else it might be). FWIW, just telling you my experience. Good luck and I hope you can get in to see your doctor very soon--

Jonahnah
Chocolate IS the answer, regardless of the question.

 

[nsuari]

It sounds like the same kind of a bite I had a few weeks ago. A pin hole in the exact center, and redness and swelling all around. When I went to the doctor he treated it with antibiotics as if it were a tick bite. I think you should go to the doctor ASAP. The bite got worse quite fast, and ticks carry all kinds of nasty infections. Once I started taking the antibiotics it improved right away.

Good luck!!Nuria

 

[melimcn]

OK thanks everyone, sounds like the ER is in my future.

It itches a little, not a lot.
I've been putting antibiotic ointment on it all day, and I haven't noticed much.
Think I'm going to try the doc tomorrow.