Can RA be caused by an insect bite attacking immune system?

[Ronaldo1645]

I was bitten by an insect on my allotment and developed a rash round my waist which lasted at least a month . I also developed pains down my arms into my hands which at times are very severe. The blood test for RA was negative but I have been referred to a Consultant Rheumatoligist.

[Beth58]

Hi

Your symptoms sound like they could also be from shingles.

However, a friend of mine was bitten by a snake while playing golf in Benidorm within a few days he'd developed severe cellulitis which required a week in hospital. A year later he developed it again in the other leg followed by severe swelling of his tongue which was treated as an allergy he's since had a number of bouts of swelling in and around the mouth.

He's now under a consultant who believes the original bite kicked his immune system into overdrive and have him doped up on antihistamines.

So the answer to your question is yes the insect bite could have kick started your immune system and sent it into overdrive.

Also, yes you can be negative for the RA factor but you can still develop inflammatory arthritis, it could be purely coincidence that it's happened after the insect bite.

Beth x

[Hidden]

There are types of inflammatory arthritis such as Psoryatic Arthritis and Lupus, both of which can come with rashes as well as joint pains in the arms and hands so it may not be RA but on other type of arthritis that's been triggered. Hopefully it's just temporary or shingles but its good that you 'be been referred anyway. Tilda

[earthwitch]

Have you been tested for Lyme disease? That should be one of the first things they do.

[emm1960]

i was bitten by kissing bugs by several experiences and caused rheumatic aches and severe rashes where the insect crawled on the part of my body...