Topic: Spider bite vs. tick bite....two bites, one with red rash. Questions UPDATE
Hoosiers51
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SEE BELOW FOR UPDATE
Alright, I have two bites on the back of my calf.
The first one: At first it was just a little scab. Then like 3 or more days later, I noticed it was itchy and I would describe it as either hard under the skin, or slightly raised. It's like it's slightly raised because it's hard. It's not raised like a mosquito bite though.
It is forming a red circle that is spreading. It's starting to get more itchy, and I can almost feel it in a neuropathy type way, even when I'm not touching it.
Then, there is another scab close by, but so far there is no rash around that one. It looks like another bite. But it looks like that scab is starting to get pink around the scab, so maybe it will make a rash like the other.
I read on a spider bite site that if there is more than one bite, it could be a tick bite. (but they spelled it tic). I would have thought the opposite....I would have thought one bite would be more likely it's a tick, two bites, I figure it could have been a spider.
Then my other question is, could an EM form if I'm on soooo many anti-Lyme antibiotics, including Doryx (extended release Doxycycline)? I have heard of EM's going away once the patient got on abx. Has anyone here got an EM while on abx?
I didn't see what bit me. It must have happened at least 4 days ago, when I was in my parents' yard.
I will try to post a picture of it. So check back here! Thanks!
Hoosiers51
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Also, what can I use to stop the itching? I am assuming hydrocortisone cream is a no-no because it is steroids?
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merrygirl
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I have no idea... but you could try benadryl cream
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Hoosiers51
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After looking at the pictures, it looks like a cross between lyme (because of the size of the red rash), and a chigger/flea/bed bug bite because it is looking kind of hard and very slightly raised. By raised I am not saying pimple-like, I mean the whole expanded area (the red circle) is slightly raised.
None of the flea or bedbug bites online looked to have expanded as much as this one has. That is the only reason I am not ruling out Lyme.
But I am still perplexed as to if an EM can appear while on antibiotics?
Also, does an EM ever feel kind of firm to the touch?
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posted
I don't think a topical steroid would be a problem. (I am not a dr!)
Is the site getting any bigger?
I have heard of patients getting EM's to first show up while on abx....but this would be different.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Hoosiers51
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Yes, I think the site is getting bigger. To me it looks like the red area is bigger than it was last night when I went to bed.
Right now the pink circle is bigger than a quarter, but probably smaller than a silver dollar. It is a bite mark in the middle, and then a big pink filled in circle around it.
I don't think I would be worried if it wasn't spreading and burning/itching more.
And now the second bite looks like it will slowly form the same red circle around it.
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posted
for the itching...try Sarna Cream. otc at CVS and other places. Only thing that worked for me when I had nine, VERY ITCHY spider bites on the backs of my legs.
-------------------- Corinne Posts: 529 | From Raleigh, NC | Registered: Jun 2006
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sammy
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You can try holding ice on the red itchy areas. It might itch worse at first but then the ice will numb it and reduce inflammation.
It would also be fine to use some topical hydrocortisone cream 2-3x per day. You won't absorb much at all. You are only going to use it on a small area or two.
Since the bite was at least 4 days ago and the redness is still spreading, you might consider seeing a doctor. You may end up developing cellulitus and need a different kind of antibiotic to treat the acute infection.
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Carol in PA
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Hoos, This might be a bug bite that is getting infected. Do hot compresses, and that should help it to heal faster. You'll be able to tell pretty quickly if it's helping, within a day or two.
For the itching, make a paste of baking soda. Apply to the spot and cover with bandaid or gauze.
You could also use clay...this would draw out toxins.
Carol
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Hoosiers51
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UPDATE:
It is now starting to look like a bullseye in a way.
It has about doubled in size in the last few hours.
The middle that was a darker pink is still about the same size, but now there is like a secondary light purple ring all the way around it, that is filled in with light purple. So it's a pink circle in the middle of a light purple circle. There is no "clearing."
The other bite is starting to show a ring of pink too.
I read online that some spiders can give a bullseye rash and I saw the pictures. I assume these medical sites wouldn't label a tick EM as a spider bite unless they KNEW it was a spider bite (like the person saw the spider bite them), right?
So is it still possible it's a spider bite?
And if it is Lyme, how the heck is this happening on antibiotics? Does that make sense?????
Sorry I haven't posted a pic. I am looking for my camera. I will still try to post the pic.
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Hoosiers51
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Also, I am thinking it will be important to document the rash.
But if it's a spider bite, the fact that it's spreading so much....is it allergic inflammation or what? So if I use Benedryl on it thinking it's a spider bite, will that make the bullseye fade?
I don't want it to fade until I can document it.
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Hoosiers51
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Alright, I am reading about brown recluse bites causing bullseyes. They say to administer Benedryl right away.
I guess I'll take some oral benedryl.
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Hoosiers51
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Found this about multiple bites (below). So do ticks bite multiple times? Anyone had that or heard of it with ticks?
Maybe this is from chiggers instead.
"Multiple Bites
Spiders typically bite only once as a last ditch defensive effort before they are crushed between flesh and some object. Therefore, spiders are not the causes of skin lesions if 1) there are multiple lesions on one person at the same time, especially if the lesions are on widely separated parts of the body, 2) if there are multiple episodes of lesions on the same person over a period of several weeks or months and 3) if there are multiple people in the same house or facility showing skin lesions at the same time. Multiple lesions immediately point toward the more likely situation of a contagious bacterial infection like MRSA or possibly an infestation of an arthropod (fleas, mites, kissing bug, etc.), that is seeking out mammals for blood meals."
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