Which doc to see

[sammy14800]

Two weeks ago I was at my daughter's house and out on the lawn. Later in the afternoon I felt like I was bitten by a flee or something between my 2nd. & 3rd. toe. It itched really bad. It bothered me all night and when I got up in the morning it was somewhat swollen on the top of my foot and between my toes. Then it got worse as I was getting ready to leave and took a good look at my toes. I had a beg blister forming. (between the toes)  I popped it and it just continued to fill back up. I had to pack it with cotton to drive home. After keeping a band-aid on it for a full day it stopped filling up and started to get better. Then yesterday I was out on the grass again without shoes and it started to itch again. Later that evening it blistered up again. I'm now back to wearing a band-aid to keep it from filling up again. Does this seem like a spider bite? And should I see my G.P. or a Dermatologist?


This discussion is related to Spider bite, probably.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it can be spider bite. Please do not scratch the inflamed area as this may lead to open wounds and secondary infections. You may apply a mild steroid cream like 1% hydrocortisone cream and take OTC anthistaminics like Benadryl or Claritin. In case of intense itching an oral dose of anti-histamine like Dimetapp, Chlortrimeton is very effective in relieving itch. Once the itch stops, you will stop scratching as well and the healing will take place faster.

But if the symptoms do not improve or worsen then please consult a dermatologist a course of antibiotics and a jab of steroid may be needed to stop the inflammation.

Hope it helps. Take care and do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries. Warm regards.

[pcr269]

sounds exactly like a spider bite.  If you need to see the doctor, you GP will be adequate.  An antibiotic topical cream will be okay and keep in covered.  Don't pop it, it will open it to more infection.  If it starts having an odor or skin peeling/dark around it, it is becoming necrotic (it is killing the skin cells) so definitly see a dr asap.  Spider bites can be very very nasty and cause chaos.  If it is really swollen, he may drain the infection and pack it with a cotton packing to bring the infection out.  Good luck.  If you notice dark lines coming from it, almost like in the veins, see one asap, it has gotten into your blood stream.