posted
I just noticed the bite on Thursday. It's been progressively getting bigger and more painful. THis morning I woke up and it hurt just to walk on my leg (the bite is behind my knee). It is very painful to touch. Just wondering if others experienced this.
Posts: 20 | From PA | Registered: Jun 2010
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
Leanne, Do hot compresses to the spot. This will increase blood circulation to it and help it to heal.
Wring out a thick washcloth in hot water, fold, and apply to inflamed spot. When it cools, refresh with hot water.
Do this for 15 minutes per hour, or as often as you can manage. This is tedious and boring, but it helps. Set it up so that you can read or watch tv.
I'll check back later to see how you're doing.
Carol
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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Either way, if it hurts just to walk, I would have a doctor or nurse at a walk-in-clinic check it out if you can afford it.
Did you try looking at pictures of bites online? What is it looking like to you? Because I was reading spider bites need a cold compress.
Carol, where did you get the info about the hot pack, and are you sure it's up to date? Because everything I have read online recently is saying cold compress for bites.
posted
I am pretty sure it is Lyme. I was at the ER last night. I am on doxy now.
Posts: 20 | From PA | Registered: Jun 2010
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
quote:Originally posted by sunnydays: Carol, where did you get the info about the hot pack, and are you sure it's up to date? Because everything I have read online recently is saying cold compress for bites.
I found that immediately applying an ice pack to a bee or wasp sting helped alot. Whenever I did this, I had far fewer problems with pain and swelling.
In this case, Leanne is having a reaction to a bite that's several days old. It's swollen and inflamed. This is a signal that it may be infected.
Increased blood circulation to this will provide the nutrients the cells need to heal. If she had access to an LED light therapy unit, that would help. Barring that, hot compresses should help.
If the inflamed area had been on a hand or foot, I would have recommended warm soaks. When I first found out about this method of treatment, I was amazed at how well it helped the body's natural healing. When I was employed, I did this for numerous people with localized infections, with very good results.
This is why I told her I would check back. She has already been to the ER, and is on an antibiotic. If she makes the effort to do hot compresses, this should improve.
It is reeeeally boring to sit there with a hot compress on your leg. Most people won't do it, they'd rather ignore it and hope for the best. I found that it was helpful to have something to read, or to watch tv.
This principle is the same for contusions and sprains....ice for the first day, then heat after that, using compresses or soaks. In the case of bee stings, the ice helps to reduce the pain and swelling of the allergic reaction. For a sprained ankle, ice reduces the swelling of the stretched and injured tissues.
After the first day or so, you apply heat to relax the blood vessels so that more nutrients get to the injured area.
Leanne -- I'll check back to find out how the hot compresses are working for you.
Carol
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Did the doctors diagnose it as an EM rash or cellulitis?
Watch the bite area closely. If it becomes more red, swollen, warm to touch, or has red streaks branching out, you will need to go back to the doctor. They may need to culture the bite wound and prescribe a different antibiotic.
Take care.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
Make sure you get photos of the bite. Place something near it, like a coin or ruler, before photographing to give it size definition.
Posts: 4681 | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
The doctor didn't say anything about what kind of rash it was. I didn't really know there was a difference.
I have pictures, but I didn't put anything up to it. Now it's changed so much. Still painful.
I've tried warm and cold compresses on different days. Both seem to help it actually, can't decide which was better.
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