Insect bite reaction

[Stowe]

Hello , has anybody else had a reaction of a flare of their RA after an insect bite? I noticed a small bite on my little finger yesterday, and since then till this morning the pain in my right hand has been u bearable, up half the night with the pain. I took an anti histamine yesterday and thought it would go away but it got alot worse. Hax anybody else had this happen? Thanks

[oldtimer]

Are you sure what it is? It's possible that you are having a reaction to a bite or an infection from one, rather than the arthritis flaring up - but the pain from the swelling and inflammation would be similar.

Have you been to see a health professional with it?

[Stowe in reply to oldtimer]

Hi there oldtimer,

Thanks for the reply, yes I think it was a reaction to the bite that then caused my RA and carpal Tunel symptoms to become alot worse as I also had pain ba k in my knees as well, which I hadn't t had for a few weeks since starting my medication. The Dr thinks that the bite inflamed an already inflamed wrist causing the pain in my hand. Dr is going to give me another steroid injection in my wrist to hopefully ease the pressure. I just need to be extra vigilant for bites in the future. Somebody on here mentioned and a cream called Paw paw that's meant to be very good. Hope your feeling ok. X

[Mandalou]

Hi Stowe

Really understand how you feel.

Hope your flare dampens down soon. I was bitten four times last Saturday evening at a wedding by a river, it was a warm evening as the sun set and Horseflies were out in force.

You should see my feet they are a mess. Big purple weals !

A week later my jaw is playing up and the back of my skull is flaring like mad.

I was worried in the week that an infection would take hold but the general swelling is less and I’m monitoring them.

Yet another example of life not being simple for us RA ers

Good luck hope you feel better soon.

M x

[Stowe in reply to Mandalou]

Hello Mandalou,

Oh no bitten four times, that's not good. Hope your bites go down quickly and don't cause any more problems. I was really surprised at how much pain I was in from one tiny insect bite on my little finger, I still have a slight bump there but thankfully the pain has gone down. I'll have to be vigilant in future, that's the trouble you forget that everything and it seems any tiny thing can flare the symptoms. 😥. Am trying to look at diet and supplements at the moment to see if that helps. Enjoy your weekend x

[Mandalou in reply to Stowe]

You too, glad your bite has gone down a bit.

Take care.

M x

[Stowe in reply to Mandalou]

Thank you

[Hidden]

I noticed since my diagnosis of RA 21 years ago that my immune system seems to go into overdrive sometimes. I live near sandflies and have needed to take an antihistamine in the summer as the bites swell up and are sore and then i just feel miserable. It's like an over reaction to things.