Allergic reaction

[artisam]

I was bitten by something in the classroom yesterday ( not a child, though that's not unheard of in our place!) and I've had a really bad reaction. My forearm has swollen and is really hot to the touch. I don't generally get reactions like this. Minor injuries were not unduly concerned and said just to keep taking antihistamines. My question is, is this due to my compromised immune system and should I therefore keep away from the creepy crawlies ( again, not the children; I can't avoid them!) I notice pred is often prescribed for severe reactions so I don't quite understand why I had one ( I'm currently at 7mg).

[PMRpro Ambassador]

That is just a reaction to whatever it was - it is very unlikely to be an allergic reaction. It may be infected - all depends what it was that bit you and where it had been before it found you! If it is infection pred won't reduce it. Have you tried ice on it? If it doesn't improve you may well need antibiotics.

[artisam in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. It's not got any worse, so I'm not quite as concerned as I was, but will keep an eye. Is it worth taking antihistamine then or not, I'm a bit confused.

[MrsNails in reply to artisam]

I’d keep taking the antihistamine to be on the safe side but if it even resembles getting infected you need antibiotics pdq

Good Luck

MrsN

[artisam in reply to MrsNails]

Thank you, will do.

[SnazzyD]

I’ve seen lots of these when I was a practice nurse. In a way it is an allergic reaction in that histamine is involved normally in the inflammatory reaction but it’s local so not an allergic reaction people talk about. These reactions often have a peak about 48 hours and can look quite alarming. If it doesn’t start to calm down with antihistamines after a few days it may be becoming infected. Look for increasing redness and pain or feeling ill. I have noticed some people on this forum noticing they become allergic or more allergic in these single figures doses, as if the suppression by the Pred is causing a bit of a rebound by the body . Who knows? I was no exception but it wore off after some months. Anyway, keep an eye but don’t panic.

[artisam in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you that makes me feel better.

[Gettingonby]

I had this backalong when I was trying to clear out my garage. I looked like an adder had bitten me just below my cheek.!

It swelled up, but not to a degree I was overly concerned, so I maintained scrupulous hygiene and applied generic antiseptic cream for a couple of days and it cleared up. I'd say just keep this in your first aid cabinet.

[artisam in reply to Gettingonby]

Thank you, this seems to be the general advice, I think I'll stop panicking now!

[Coffeebeans]

I have to say I was bitten by a horsefly in July and it is STILL ITCHING now. I wondered if pred is stopping it fully and properly healing.

Keep on with the advice and watch for infection but don't be surprised if it takes a while!

[artisam in reply to Coffeebeans]

Yes I'm beginning to realise that. I'll keep taking the tablets ad they say!🥴

[TheMoaningViolet]

Hi, draw a line around the edge of the swelling and if it gets worse go to A&E. I have 2 friends whose insect bites turned into cellulitis and it was not funny. I hope it all settles soon. Vx

[artisam in reply to TheMoaningViolet]

A friend of my suggested that today, she had cellulitis and it sounds just awful. It hasn't got any worse today, so I'm hoping for some improvement soon. Thanks for the advice.😊

[nuigini]

I was bitten by a wasp a few weeks back on my upper inner arm. Based on previous experience with stings I immediately took antihistamine tablets and got ice on the area. Within 5 minutes the swelling around the bite was the size of my hand, and 10 minutes later both arms were showing spotty rash and hives. The rash and hives disappeared as the antihistamine took effect, but the red welt from the sting continued to spread and covered my entire inner arm the next morning . I continued taking antihistamines for the next two days. The area around the bite was itchy for about five days and it took about 7 days for the redness to disappear.

I will be asking for a prescription for an EpiPen the next time I see a doctor.

[artisam in reply to nuigini]

Oh crikey that sounds bad - similar to my experience I think. Hope it doesn't last that long. Thank you for replying

[tangocharlie]

I got bitten by a wasp in Sept and it took weeks for the itch and rash to go down even though I applied hydrocortisone cream and took anti-histamines as well as the steroids. I'm guessing it's because I am very sensitive to histamine surges these days - and I have come across many people with PMR who have the same problem.

[Amkoffee]

I'm not a doctor and of course I haven't seen your bite but I do own a pest control company and I've seen a few bug bite before. It is not that unusual for person to have a reaction to a spider bite. (I suspect that's what bit you) Particularly if you haven't ever been bitten by one before. I don't know what spiders you have in your area but some spiders can be quite venomous, while others are pretty benign. But any spider that hunts for food has fangs. They may not have venom in those fangs but they have to have fangs to hunt their prey with.

[artisam in reply to Amkoffee]

Eek!