Ulcerated itchy spot after trip from Mexico

[Brooke97]

I just came back from a week vacation on the beach in Mexico (on 5/31/11) and did get some mosquito bites while there. This area started as a tiny "gnat" looking bite without a head or pus on June 1st. It then started to itch and now seems to be getting bigger in size. It has not been wheeping any fluid, but I am quite concerned that this may be Leishmaniasis. A relative that lives in Mexico also had some of the same areas, but had them prior to us going to the beach. It doesn't hurt, I don't have fevers, but really don't have insurance at the moment, and would like to hold off seeing someone until I find a policy that I can afford.  Any thoughts?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it looks like an arthropod bite but it is important to rule out any tick bite fever and lesihmaniasis as well because Mexico is endemic for both tick bite fever causing Lyme’s disease as well as leishmaniasis. The symptoms of leishmaniasis are skin sores which erupt weeks to months after the person affected is bitten by sand flies. Other consequences, which can manifest anywhere from a few months to years after infection, include fever, damage to the spleen and liver, and anemia. these are all late symptoms and a visible skin sore is the first symptom.

In order to completely rule it out it is better to get a peripheral blood smear and tests done for tick bite fever. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Raju Thapar, MBBS]

Hi,

thanks for the query,

It most likely is not leashmaniasis as it does not spread by mosquitoes.

From your history, it looks like you got it after you went to the beach; maybe you are allergic to something you got in touch with at the beach. A physical examination of the lesion can give clues to the diagnosis. Consider consulting a dermatologist.

Wish you good health.