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Suggest Treatment For Allergic Skin Rash Caused By Spider Bite

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Posted on Wed, 3 Dec 2014
Question: HI, I'm trying to figure out what is wrong with my skin. I stayed at a friend's house and got spider bites a few nights in a row. He doesn't vacuum his spiders. But then things seemed to spread. I had a rash across my back. Now I have various itchy things. I was thinking it might be MRSA, but this doctor over on the other side of the page says things are xerotic dermatitis. I was about to go to the pharmacy and Whole Foods and get some things. Any recommendations?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Allergic response to insect bite

Detailed Answer:
Hello

My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem.

I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. Whenever there is an insect bite then it triggers an allergic response in the body which manifests as appearance of rashes over that particular area or generalized all over body followed by itch. In extreme cases it causes severe swelling and respiratory arrest. In you case spider bite resulted in formation of rashes followed by itching. It would be better if you send me picture of rashes. In most cases symptomatic care results in complete resolution withing 7-10 days. If i were your treating doctor then i would have advised cetirizine 10mg one at night for 5 days.

Conclusion:
Insect bite results in an allergic response causing rash over body & itch. It usually resolves in 7-10 days BUT if condition remains same or aggravates then i would suggest you to visit hospital for detailed examination & management.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (2 hours later)
Thank you so much. I stayed at my friend's house in September, so it has been a while. Right now, I have a place on the outside of each forearm and on both calves. The rash around my lower back is not that bad any longer. I thought that the Benadryl gel might have dried it out too much, so just started using lotion. I just went to the store and got some aloe vera jelly and tea tree oil and some Eucerin lotion. Can this type of allergic reaction rash spread like this?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Normally does not spread

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thank you for getting back with the query. No, in most of the cases it does not spread and is non contagious. Maximum appearance of rashes occur during the initial phase. But in some cases there is a "delayed response" as well which may cause further development(but its rare). Benadryl gel is an antihistamine product. Although oral antihistamine is more effective in such cases.You can observe with this as well. If your rashes gradually start to disappear and no itch occurs then its absolutely fine. In other case you can visit nearest hospital.

Conclusion:
Normally rash does not spread so you need not to worry. Just keep observing them WITHOUT taking stress. They will completely resolve in appx. 7-10 days(in most of the cases).

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (10 minutes later)
I'm sorry I don't have a smart phone to be able to send you photos. The new places on my legs and the more localized places on my arms do itch. Does that tell you anything else? Maybe I maxed out my lifetime tolerance to spider bites and all the reactions are taking a while to develop? I stay in hotels most of the time for work, and when I would go back to my landlady's house for a weekend to repack, I would get spider bites at her house, too. Same at my friend's house since no one stays in his guestroom very often. I do think the rash on my back is almost well. I might have scratched the other places too much before making myself stop. If you will just give me an update based on this info, I will stop bothering you! And I really appreciate your help.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It will take few days to resolve

Detailed Answer:
Hello & thank you for getting back with the query

First of all i want to make clear that you are NOT at all bothering me. I am here to help & guide you. You can ask as many questions as you want. I will try my best to answer them to the best of my knowledge.
As i mentioned earlier, you should start oral antihistamine therapy for 5 days. I usually recommend my patients to go with cetirizine 10mg one at night for 5 days. Oral antihistamine will bring quick response as compared to gel application. It will reduce itch as well as rashes. Secondly, as you mentioned that you have chronic spider bite allergy problem so if i were your treating doctor then i would have also advised montelukast one daily for one month. Research has shown that it decreases the allergic symptoms considerably.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2013

Answered : 1312 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Allergic Skin Rash Caused By Spider Bite

Brief Answer: Allergic response to insect bite Detailed Answer: Hello My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem. I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. Whenever there is an insect bite then it triggers an allergic response in the body which manifests as appearance of rashes over that particular area or generalized all over body followed by itch. In extreme cases it causes severe swelling and respiratory arrest. In you case spider bite resulted in formation of rashes followed by itching. It would be better if you send me picture of rashes. In most cases symptomatic care results in complete resolution withing 7-10 days. If i were your treating doctor then i would have advised cetirizine 10mg one at night for 5 days. Conclusion: Insect bite results in an allergic response causing rash over body & itch. It usually resolves in 7-10 days BUT if condition remains same or aggravates then i would suggest you to visit hospital for detailed examination & management. Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it. Wishing you good health !!