Bizarre reaction to mosquito bite
June 12, 2011 8:45 PM Subscribe
Nine days ago I got a big mosquito bite on my left temple. Ever since then the area around it has gradually been swelling. Today the swelling fills the area from the side of my eye to my hairline, and from the peak of my eyebrow to the top of my cheekbone. What the hell kind of mosquito bite is this? And what should I do?
I'm really pretty sure it was a mosquito as there was one hanging around the brim of my hat and I remember swatting it away, then a few minutes later feeling an irritation and discovering a trickle of blood on my temple. I was out with a bunch of sheep but I never noticed any flies, so I'm fairly positive it wasn't a fly bite.
The swelling is really hard to photograph, but it's about the size of two half-dollars, maybe a little smaller. It's a puffy, watery kind of swelling. The bite only itches a little. I've tried taking Benadryl and putting a corticosteroid ointment on it, to very little effect. I think it would be ridiculous to spend money on a doctor for a mosquito bite, but I have to admit I'm starting to get a little concerned. Also, starting three days after the bite, I've been having dramatic muscle and and joint achiness, but I sometimes get that anyway due to an autoimmune condition. Although this has been really bad.
Any idea what's going on here? Is this within the normal range of reactions to a mosquito bite?
I'm really pretty sure it was a mosquito as there was one hanging around the brim of my hat and I remember swatting it away, then a few minutes later feeling an irritation and discovering a trickle of blood on my temple. I was out with a bunch of sheep but I never noticed any flies, so I'm fairly positive it wasn't a fly bite.
The swelling is really hard to photograph, but it's about the size of two half-dollars, maybe a little smaller. It's a puffy, watery kind of swelling. The bite only itches a little. I've tried taking Benadryl and putting a corticosteroid ointment on it, to very little effect. I think it would be ridiculous to spend money on a doctor for a mosquito bite, but I have to admit I'm starting to get a little concerned. Also, starting three days after the bite, I've been having dramatic muscle and and joint achiness, but I sometimes get that anyway due to an autoimmune condition. Although this has been really bad.
Any idea what's going on here? Is this within the normal range of reactions to a mosquito bite?
Go to an urgent care facility or an emergency room right away. Sounds like a staph boil.
posted by brownrd at 8:50 PM on June 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by brownrd at 8:50 PM on June 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
It is possible you have shingles. Go to the doctor right now.
posted by mai at 8:51 PM on June 12, 2011
posted by mai at 8:51 PM on June 12, 2011
Mosquito bites on my face have swelled up like that. I'm really sensitive. But the joint aches might make this another story?
posted by salvia at 8:52 PM on June 12, 2011
posted by salvia at 8:52 PM on June 12, 2011
Um, see a doctor!
posted by Packed Lunch at 8:52 PM on June 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Packed Lunch at 8:52 PM on June 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
Go see a doctor. ASAP. You may either be having an extreme allergic reaction to the bite, or a bacterial infection transmitted by the bite.
posted by strixus at 8:58 PM on June 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by strixus at 8:58 PM on June 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
When I get mosquito bites on my face, my eyes swell shut, but I'm a delicate flower. The joint pain makes me think you should go to the doctor as soon as you can.
Maybe it's a gnat bite? Those things swell a lot.
posted by easy, lucky, free at 8:58 PM on June 12, 2011
Maybe it's a gnat bite? Those things swell a lot.
posted by easy, lucky, free at 8:58 PM on June 12, 2011
Where do you live, geographically? That might give us some insight what alternate insects or insect-carrying illness it could possibly be?
posted by Kololo at 9:01 PM on June 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Kololo at 9:01 PM on June 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm also one of those who have really bad reactions to mosquitoes. I just got a bite yesterday on my ankle and this morning I woke up to what looked like a sprained ankle.
The big difference is the muscle and joint aches. Even with my worst bites I've never had more than a local reaction.
Get yourself seen. Soon.
posted by TooFewShoes at 9:02 PM on June 12, 2011
The big difference is the muscle and joint aches. Even with my worst bites I've never had more than a local reaction.
Get yourself seen. Soon.
posted by TooFewShoes at 9:02 PM on June 12, 2011
Also, I missed that it was NINE DAYS AGO. The day after the bite, this would seem fairly normal to me. But now, no.
posted by salvia at 9:03 PM on June 12, 2011
posted by salvia at 9:03 PM on June 12, 2011
It sounds like an infected skeeter bite to me. I've had MRSA. That is not something you want to mess around with. Even if it's not staph... nine days? Go to an urgent care center.
posted by katillathehun at 9:15 PM on June 12, 2011
posted by katillathehun at 9:15 PM on June 12, 2011
9 days later? Maybe it's infected.
And I have no idea where you are, so can't suggest what other creature it might have been, diseases it might be carrying, or cheaper options for doctors to go see etc. You might get away with seeing a Nurse or something, y'know?
But yeah, if it's infected, they might give you oral, or injectable antibiotics, and really - you don't want infected abscesses on your face, or really anywhere near your brain, right?
IANAD, so I've no excuse for being gross.
posted by Elysum at 9:16 PM on June 12, 2011
And I have no idea where you are, so can't suggest what other creature it might have been, diseases it might be carrying, or cheaper options for doctors to go see etc. You might get away with seeing a Nurse or something, y'know?
But yeah, if it's infected, they might give you oral, or injectable antibiotics, and really - you don't want infected abscesses on your face, or really anywhere near your brain, right?
IANAD, so I've no excuse for being gross.
posted by Elysum at 9:16 PM on June 12, 2011
Response by poster: The bite took place in Eastern Washington.
What about "Skeeter syndrome"? I can't find anything that says if the reaction would last 9 days, though.
About the possibility of infection--it doesn't feel infected. My experience is that if something is infected, it feels super hot and miserable and you've got a strong notion that it is in fact infected.
posted by HotToddy at 9:25 PM on June 12, 2011
What about "Skeeter syndrome"? I can't find anything that says if the reaction would last 9 days, though.
About the possibility of infection--it doesn't feel infected. My experience is that if something is infected, it feels super hot and miserable and you've got a strong notion that it is in fact infected.
posted by HotToddy at 9:25 PM on June 12, 2011
GO NOW. STOP READING THE INTERNET. GO SEE A DOCTOR NOW.
posted by incessant at 9:25 PM on June 12, 2011 [17 favorites]
posted by incessant at 9:25 PM on June 12, 2011 [17 favorites]
I loathe seeing doctors too, but aching joints and unusual swelling from an insect bite (I've never bled from a mosquito bite) kinda puts in the "get it checked" basket.
posted by Packed Lunch at 9:31 PM on June 12, 2011
posted by Packed Lunch at 9:31 PM on June 12, 2011
Have you had a fever?
Have you had nausea?
Have you had a rash?
posted by LobsterMitten at 9:33 PM on June 12, 2011
Have you had nausea?
Have you had a rash?
posted by LobsterMitten at 9:33 PM on June 12, 2011
Joining the SEE A DOCTOR chorus.
Also, if money is an object, please check out NeedyMeds, a nonprofit whose mission is to direct people to low- or no-cost sources of medication and health care. The site has a searchable database of free/low-cost/sliding-scale clinics nationwide. (The database includes info on each clinic's hours, location and cost.)
posted by virago at 9:41 PM on June 12, 2011 [3 favorites]
Also, if money is an object, please check out NeedyMeds, a nonprofit whose mission is to direct people to low- or no-cost sources of medication and health care. The site has a searchable database of free/low-cost/sliding-scale clinics nationwide. (The database includes info on each clinic's hours, location and cost.)
posted by virago at 9:41 PM on June 12, 2011 [3 favorites]
I think it would be ridiculous to spend money on a doctor for a mosquito bite
Well, call me ridiculous, because I've gone to the doctor for a "mosquito bite" that turned out to be Lyme Disease. Weird rashes are worth having checked out.
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 9:42 PM on June 12, 2011 [3 favorites]
Well, call me ridiculous, because I've gone to the doctor for a "mosquito bite" that turned out to be Lyme Disease. Weird rashes are worth having checked out.
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 9:42 PM on June 12, 2011 [3 favorites]
I agree, it's time to go to Urgent Care and get a doctor to look at it. Your symptoms could also be Lyme disease. If it was a Lyme tick you wouldn't likely see the tick. If that swelling turns into a "bulls-eye" ring you'll know for sure.
It is tick season (spring and fall).
posted by nogero at 9:44 PM on June 12, 2011
It is tick season (spring and fall).
posted by nogero at 9:44 PM on June 12, 2011
West Nile Virus has made it's way to E.WA. Whether this or something else, please see a doctor... yesterday!
posted by Incognita at 9:55 PM on June 12, 2011
posted by Incognita at 9:55 PM on June 12, 2011
I think it would be ridiculous to spend money on a doctor for a mosquito bite
What's ridiculous is that you still think this was a mosquito bite just because you saw one flying around. Take a look at your symptoms. Do they say "mosquito bite" to you? Now cut it out with the wishful thinking and go to the damn doctor.
posted by madmethods at 9:57 PM on June 12, 2011 [4 favorites]
What's ridiculous is that you still think this was a mosquito bite just because you saw one flying around. Take a look at your symptoms. Do they say "mosquito bite" to you? Now cut it out with the wishful thinking and go to the damn doctor.
posted by madmethods at 9:57 PM on June 12, 2011 [4 favorites]
Staph infections (which this sounds like it has a possibility of being) can kill.
Doctor NOW.
posted by arnicae at 10:00 PM on June 12, 2011
Doctor NOW.
posted by arnicae at 10:00 PM on June 12, 2011
If Benedryl isn't helping and you have systemic symptoms like muscle pain, you need to see a doctor.
Soon.
posted by guster4lovers at 10:06 PM on June 12, 2011
Soon.
posted by guster4lovers at 10:06 PM on June 12, 2011
I thought I had a spider bite last year that turned out to be herpes - the cold sore virus. I had no idea I could get a cold sore on my arm. Go to the doctor.
posted by IndigoRain at 10:32 PM on June 12, 2011
posted by IndigoRain at 10:32 PM on June 12, 2011
I don't know about the swelling, but your systemic symptoms sound similar to Lyme Disease. It's usually transmitted by ticks, but catching it from a mosquito bite is not unheard of. Quick intervention is key to recovery. I hope I am wrong - Lyme Disease is nasty business.
Now, I could be wrong, because INAD, but my goodness, you need one.
posted by louche mustachio at 10:40 PM on June 12, 2011
Now, I could be wrong, because INAD, but my goodness, you need one.
posted by louche mustachio at 10:40 PM on June 12, 2011
The other thing that makes me think it might be Lyme is the relatively long period between the bite and the onset of symptoms.
posted by louche mustachio at 10:43 PM on June 12, 2011
posted by louche mustachio at 10:43 PM on June 12, 2011
Hi there. You don't know what the swelling is. Let's have a common for instance: staph infection. Staph on the head can kill you. That's right: death. I don't see your post saying "Hey MeFites, I went to the doctor" so I'm going to assume you haven't gone yet.
Please go.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 11:23 PM on June 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
Please go.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 11:23 PM on June 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
I hope I am wrong - Lyme Disease is nasty business.
IANAD, but you need to worry with Lyme Disease when it's been weeks or months since infection and diagnosis, not 9 days.
Anyway, this sounds nasty and seeing a doctor is the best bet.
posted by KokuRyu at 11:39 PM on June 12, 2011
IANAD, but you need to worry with Lyme Disease when it's been weeks or months since infection and diagnosis, not 9 days.
Anyway, this sounds nasty and seeing a doctor is the best bet.
posted by KokuRyu at 11:39 PM on June 12, 2011
Yeah, you wouldn't be seeing the doctor about getting a mosquito bite. You'd be seeing him about the massive & weird thing on the side of your head that may have something to do with an insect bite. Your autoimmune condition might be kicking your body's reaction to the bite into overdrive and you'll need a doctor to get it to stop...or!...maybe it was some crazy weird alien mosquito from the Hanford site and you'll wake up in the hospital with...ok "MosquitoMan" doesn't sound like a great superhero so we'll skip that possibility.
I know medical care is expensive and while I understand your reluctance because, I'm afraid this is an instance where medical intervention is needed. Hopefully it'll be a quick fix and you'll be back out with the sheep in no time.
posted by Salmonberry at 1:34 AM on June 13, 2011
I know medical care is expensive and while I understand your reluctance because, I'm afraid this is an instance where medical intervention is needed. Hopefully it'll be a quick fix and you'll be back out with the sheep in no time.
posted by Salmonberry at 1:34 AM on June 13, 2011
Nthing everyone upthread. IAAD. Please see a doctor.
posted by onegoodthing at 3:50 AM on June 13, 2011
posted by onegoodthing at 3:50 AM on June 13, 2011
GO TO THE DOCTOR!
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 4:21 AM on June 13, 2011
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 4:21 AM on June 13, 2011
It might be silly to go to the doctor for a mosquito bite; it is definitely not silly to go to the doctor because your head has swollen up and your joints hurt. Get yourself to the urgent care clinic ASAP.
posted by Forktine at 5:43 AM on June 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Forktine at 5:43 AM on June 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
Another vote for possible Staph Infection. GO TO THE DOCTOR!
posted by banished at 6:54 AM on June 13, 2011
posted by banished at 6:54 AM on June 13, 2011
I'm another person who has dramatic reactions to mosquito bites, but this sounds like more than that. At least call your doctor or your insurance company's nurse line.
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:08 AM on June 13, 2011
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:08 AM on June 13, 2011
Response by poster: Good morning. Sorry I haven't responded, the Benadryl knocked me right out last night. The swelling went down quite a bit overnight but I'm still going to have a doctor take a look at it. Thanks for your help!
posted by HotToddy at 8:33 AM on June 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by HotToddy at 8:33 AM on June 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
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