Bug Bites and exaggerated reations: I have CLL... - CLL Support

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Bug Bites and exaggerated reations

RandyM profile image
18 Replies

I have CLL, and got a bug bite on my forearm that has a large swollen lump about the size of a large egg. It seems to be getting larger too. It has a small scab, very itchy, and swelling is reddened.

Thank you for any advice.

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RandyM profile image
RandyM
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18 Replies
Spark_Plug profile image
Spark_Plug

What have you done so far, and have you contacted medical personnel for suggestions?

I know it seems so weird to have to make calls for things we used to take as an everyday occurrence, but that is one of the day-to-day issues with this illness, our bodies react to things that were always just taken care of for us.

Hope you find relief, obviously don't scratch the contaminants under the cleanest fingernails can infect.

RandyM profile image
RandyM in reply to Spark_Plug

So far I have put ice on it and a 1% hydrocortisone cream. The bite mark is a scab now. Nothing seems to help. I didn't try allergy meds yet such as Benedryl. I will contact my doctor if the swelling continues. Thanks for reminding me of using clean fingernails Spark Plug! 👍

Spark_Plug profile image
Spark_Plug in reply to RandyM

Don't undervalue the power of an ice pack, just use it carefully so as to not damage the skin.🙂

RandyM profile image
RandyM in reply to Spark_Plug

Thanks Spark Plug. I will be careful and only try frozen pea bags and not often. I do not want to damage the area even more!

lankisterguy profile image
lankisterguyVolunteer

Hi Randy,

Exaggerated reactions are common among us CLL patients due to our unstable immune system that over reacts to them. A medical professional can usually help decide between anti histamines or steroid topical cremes. Either need to be used on a limited basis due to longer term use causing side effects.

Get medical help asap to avoid further injury, a skin infection or sepsis.

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You can see past discussions by looking for the box on this page labeled: "Related Posts

*Bug bites - any suggestions?

*bug bites - skin issues

*Protecting myself from bug bites

*Bites and Itch Relief"

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Or see the 37 past postings that included bug bites here: healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

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Len

RandyM profile image
RandyM in reply to lankisterguy

lankisterguy, I am always worried about sepsis.

Thanks for the info and the links for past discussions on bug bites. Very helpful!👍

C1952 profile image
C1952

Hi Randy, I also had a bug bite on my forearm that itched, formed a large bump and kept growing. Long story short it ended up being squamous cell skin cancer.

RandyM profile image
RandyM in reply to C1952

My sister had squamous cell cancer too. I hope your sister had a good outcome! Thanks for commenting. Makes me more worried and I wll go to Urgent Care this AM.

opal11uk profile image
opal11uk

You need to get this checked out, hubby has had same and we went to hospital to get it checked out., thankfully after a long wait, the drugs had taken the redness down. Advice to take all rings off, take antihistermines and apply Hydrocortisone cream. Also, draw a circle around the swollen area so that progress of swelling and redness can be monitored for spread. These bites can turn very nasty and quickly too, in extreme cases Cellulitis and Sepsis so should not be ignored. Good luck

Pearlpink profile image
Pearlpink

hi. I agree with opal. If you get a break in the skin it will almost certainly become infected very quickly. A scab is basically a break in the skin which has scabbed over.

I started to get the same before I was diagnosed with cll and a dermatologist said I had hypersensitive skin and that I should keep antibiotics at home for if I got mosquito bites. It turned out to be the first indicator I had CLL.

With me infection is inevitable. Mosquito bite goes on to blistering and defect in skin, and infection. Absolutely nothing I can do stops it getting infected. I have to take antibiotics.

A scab like a golden crust usually means staph infection. Early infection with strep causes bit of irregularity of the redness, leading to streaks. It’s not easy to determine which though, as either of both can be involved, it’s just a classic description from textbook.

Like everyone else says, important to ring a dr today, and tell them you are worried about the possibility of cellulitis because of your cll. Within hours of antibiotics you should get a reduction in pain. Getting bigger is usually a sign of cellulitis.

Good luck! I find the best prevention is religiously protecting myself against bites.

Funnily enough mosquitoes seem to hate me since I had treatment lol! 🤞

LeoPa profile image
LeoPa

Size of a large egg? You mean the diameter of it? Because if I had a large egg size swelling under my skin I would be banging on the door of my GP straight away

RandyM profile image
RandyM in reply to LeoPa

Yes it is a thick lump and wide. Today it is larger, more painful, and spreading more. My son said for me to pack a bag because he is taking me to the Urgent Care center and he thinks they may put me in the hospital. Thanks for commenting.

Bobby9toes profile image
Bobby9toes in reply to RandyM

Good for your son. I’m glad he’s taking you. I know in my case, my daughter has done the same for me when I’m reluctant to go on my own. Good luck and let us know what the doctor says. Jan

Spark_Plug profile image
Spark_Plug in reply to LeoPa

Which egg LeoPa, Robin, or Ostrich? 😉

RandyM profile image
RandyM in reply to Spark_Plug

Sparky, it feels like the extinct Madagascan elephant bird egg, but alas, it is only as big as an ostrich egg that got slightly flattened, 😂 No yolk!

LeoPa profile image
LeoPa in reply to Spark_Plug

Wow, I knew Batman was laying eggs but Robin too? 😁

Gino23 profile image
Gino23

I have the same thing, put cortisone cream on it

RandyM profile image
RandyM in reply to Gino23

I did too Gino23, but nothing seems to help. Thanks.

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