What Causes A Painful Lump And Discoloration At The Insect Bite Site?

Posted on Tue, 22 Aug 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 22 Aug 2017 Answered on

Tue, 12 Sep 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I was visiting friends in Ocilla, XXXXXXX over the weekend and on Saturday evening we were standing in their concrete driveway and all of a sudden I felt something biting the back of my lower calf. It was dark so we couldn't see what it was, but in literally an instant it turned black and blue and became hard and swollen. It was just very bizarre. On Sunday it was still swollen and black and blue and red and numb to the touch but painful from the inside. In the last couple days it hasn't gotten any better and in fact is very painful. There's still a hard lump there, black and blue and reddish. We can't see any bite marks and it's not itchy at all. Should I just see if it goes away or should I seek medical attention? I don't have any other symptoms such as chills or a fever or anything like that.

Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Insect bite,possibly brown recluse spider bite

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thak you for trusting HCM

The lump, discoloration, and pain at bite site are concerning for Brown recluse spider bite.
Physical examination can confirm the diagnosis and rule out secondary infection. In case of infection, you will need antibiotics.
Please be advised to follow up with your primary care provider to assess the need for oral antibiotics. Presence of severe inflammation will require treatment with oral corticosteroids.
Meanwhile, here are few things you can do at home to relieve pain and swelling
-Apply ice at bite site
-Keep leg elevated
-Apply mupirocin ointment to prevent infection
-You can take cetirizine 10 mg once daily to decrease allergic response.
-Continue Ibuprofen

Hope this answers your questions
Please address further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D