medical help? pics?

Question

yesterday i was walking in a store and then got a stabbing pain in my upper arm and then it started itching and burning and still does. i went to the after hours clinic and paid $80 damn dollars cause my insurance didnt cover it since it wasnt my doctor but my dr was closed well they said it was an insect bite and treat it as spider bite. My grandma thought it was a wasp or bee sting. Well they gave me a steriod shot and said the swelling should go down and it'd stop burning and itching and hasn't it's been almost 4 hours and to me it looks like it spreading but i cant do anything. Does anyone know what would do this to someone? shouldn't it stop burning after the shot like she said? even though she gave me a shot and pills to fill i have to get tomorrow if it spreads and still hurts should i call my doctor even though she treated it? i put ice pack and a damp rag on it and anti itch cream but it burns n still itches. its hard to sleep iono what to do.

http://i3.tinypic.com/6bunned.jp

http://i3.tinypic.com/5yn6cgi.jpg another pic more recent

i've taken benadryl it doesnt work and no creams worked either

my next doctor appointment is wed. but my mom says it should be fine by then. but it burns and itches and i've tried everything benadryl, anti itch creams, putting ice on it, the dr told me a cold rag that was dipped in salt water

Answer 1

Take Benadryl 50mg by mouth every six hours for 24 hours, if the itching a pain continues after that you need to see your doctor. Putting ice on it should help also.

Answer 2

It looks like an insect bite or sting or some sort- impossible to tell the culprit by just looking at the site, unfortunately. A bee would have left a visible stinger, though. You are simply reacting to the venom, and it's not a bad reaction so far, though I'm sure it's not comfortable. If you have some Benadryl tablets, you can take those to help with the reaction. You can get both tablets and gel at a pharmacy or drug store, and can get generic brand tablets rather inexpensively. Both will help with the swelling and itch. In the meantime, ice will help as well. And you can take either ibuprofen(motrin) or tylenol for the pain. Other than this, there is no other cure except time. Once your immune system gets rid of the invader venom it will go away, and until that happens there isn't much anyone can do for you. Sorry.

Answer 3

A steroid shot? That shot is only for the inflammation. The pills are most likely antibiotics. You need to fill those first and start taking them. Looks like there is a puncture wound from the insect bite on your arm. If you have lots of itching, take Benadryl as directed. That should relieve the itching. An over-the-counter cream won't do a thing at that stage. May make you drowsy too. I'd also take some anti-inflammatory medications for the pain, i.e. ibuprofen. And yes, there's no reason why you shouldn't go to your regular doctor tomorrow. Take care.

Answer 4

Check and make sure, but the pills are probably antibiotics, you DO need to take them. Antibiotics should keep the "bite" from turning into something like cellulitis (you don't want that). Make a paste out of baking soda and cool water. Spread the paste on the bite, and put a band-aid over it. Let it set for about 20 minutes, and do it again. This should help the stinging, in fact, I'm almost sure this will help the stinging and itching. You can do this as often as possible until you see your doctor. In the meantime, the baking soda paste should help keep you somewhat comfortable. Keep an eye on the bite area. If the redness grows, or if you get a fever around the area, call your doctor and tell them.
Let me know if the baking soda paste works. (It has never failed before).

Answer 5

That looks like a spider or wasp bite to me. Just get the pills and watch it. You can also try taking a couple Benadryl pills, which should help with the itching, and some Ibuprofen, as it's an anti-inflammatory. If the swelling doesn't start to get down, or gets worse, go ahead and see your doctor again. It likely isn't serious, but better safe than sorry, eh?

Answer 6

It appears that the injection site is from a single entry, suggesting a bee or wasp stinger and not a double entry that would be seen in a bite (insects have 2 fangs).

There is considerable redness around the area, which is kind of concerning. Are you allergic to any insects that you know of?

The steroid will help with the swelling, and should decrease the inflammatory response (which will then decrease swelling/redness/itching). However, if you notice increasing soreness/swelling/tingling/black or blue or purple areas in that arm, you need to go to your doctor right away.

Some insects release toxins/venoms that kill the tissue in our bodies, and it can be fatal if left untreated (this is not meant to scare you, but as a nurse, I can't give you education and leave the possible risks out!)

I would suggest going to your regular physician anyways, as you said you went to a clinic because your PCP's office was closed, and going over these issues with him/her.

Answer 7

Spider Bite!
1] take Benadryl every six hours until you see the doc
2] make a paste of meat tenderizer and water. Apply it to inflammed area. Cover with gauze. Do this every four hours while awake.
3] ice packs, wrapped in a paper towel every four hours while awake.
4] what did she prescribe 'if it's still itching?'
5] call the doc

Answer 8

If by the next day it looks worse, i would definitely go see your doctor. If it's a spider bite, it could be very dangerous. A brown recluse spider can do irreparable damage and you could even lose your arm. Don't take any chances. Chances are it's nothing. But let your doctor look at it anyway. Good Luck.

Answer 9

have it checked again by your regular doctor for sure. the brown recluse spider can be very dangerous. aunt got one of these bites and ended up having to have a surgery and have her flesh cut out of her to end infection. it took two three months to recover.

i went on a one time camping trip ... and got misquito bites . not as much swelling or as large of an area but they were welts ... the told me to buy accent ... it's a seasoning / meat tenderizer on the spice aisle in the grocery store. about two tabllespoons on your palm of hand and add a few drops of water to make a paste. apply to the swollen area. it lessened the swelling / made it feel better. i will tell you it felt disgusting and smelled. but worked.

good luck to you ! Take care.

Answer 10

Definitely looking spider bitey to me. You can't be too careful! If it keeps getting worse, or if you feel short of breath, or get a fever, go to the ER.