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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Infected Insect Bite
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
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Infected Insect Bite
by Mr. Scratchy, Jun 03, 2007 12:00AM
[IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/Marc10edora/sample.jpg[/IMG]
About three months ago I noticed three flea bites grouped together on my right hand. A week later it started to spread into a swolen rash with little bubbles of puss. The puss golden and sap-like. I beleive that I got the bites infected by scratching it while asleep. I have a dog that sleeps in my room and since then have been getting little bites on my arms and legs. I also have a lizard that is in the room. I know that the dog can carry fleas, but what about the lizard? Since the infected area began to spread, I have been treating it in different ways.
The first month, when it grew puss bubbles, I soaked it in rubbing alchoal. The alchoal would dry up the puss inside and bring down the swelling. After I noticed that most of the puss and bubbles started going away, it turned into a giant scab. When it formed a scab, I began to do this routine on a daily bases: 1)Pour hydrogen poroxide and let it air dry on the wound. 2)wash off in the sink 3)apply neo sporin with the tip of my finger 4) place cotton pad/gaus over wound 5)cover with bandaid6) It has been three months now and although the infection stopped spreading, it hasn't healed much. What should I do?
About three months ago I noticed three flea bites grouped together on my right hand. A week later it started to spread into a swolen rash with little bubbles of puss. The puss golden and sap-like. I beleive that I got the bites infected by scratching it while asleep. I have a dog that sleeps in my room and since then have been getting little bites on my arms and legs. I also have a lizard that is in the room. I know that the dog can carry fleas, but what about the lizard? Since the infected area began to spread, I have been treating it in different ways.
The first month, when it grew puss bubbles, I soaked it in rubbing alchoal. The alchoal would dry up the puss inside and bring down the swelling. After I noticed that most of the puss and bubbles started going away, it turned into a giant scab. When it formed a scab, I began to do this routine on a daily bases: 1)Pour hydrogen poroxide and let it air dry on the wound. 2)wash off in the sink 3)apply neo sporin with the tip of my finger 4) place cotton pad/gaus over wound 5)cover with bandaid6) It has been three months now and although the infection stopped spreading, it hasn't healed much. What should I do?
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jun 04, 2007 12:00AM
, Jun 04, 2007 12:00AM
You should stop trying to treat yourself and see a doctor. Your picture looks like a contact dermatitis, probably from all the alcohol and hydrogen peroxide, and perhaps the neosporin. Please stop all that, just treat the area gently, and see a doctor as soon as you can, because without anti-inflammatory, prescription-strength treatment, this is not going to get better. With proper treatment, you should be good as new in little time.
Go tomorrow if you can.
Dr. Rockoff
Go tomorrow if you can.
Dr. Rockoff
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If it's herpes, antibiotics won't clear it up. I'm sure he told you that.
If it's an infection, antibiotics will.
You can have a few things going on.
1. If you have bumps all over your body, and they appeared AFTER you took the antibiotics, you may be having an allergic reaction to your antibiotic. Have you taken this type before, and if not, definitely let your doctor know of your new symptoms. Even though you have no insurance, many doctors will be kind enough to answer your questions like this. Just call and ask for his nurse.
2. If it's herpes, and has spread, you need an antiviral. I haven't heard of an infection on the hand, spreading to the entire body like that but I'm sure it's possible.
If I were you, I would find the money to have a culture done. Herpes blister. It's painful, it itches, the blisters pop and they crust over into scabs. When you squeeze a zit it hurts but trying to pop a blister is more painful. Just giving you something to go by.
I remember working with a girl who had contacted herpes, and it spread to her lips and all over her face. It was pretty bad.