What Causes Itchiness, Darkened Skin And Scabs Post Insect Bite?

Posted on Fri, 9 Oct 2015

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

Fri, 9 Oct 2015 Answered on

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been biten by an insect several times. It srarts with a slight itch which I rub.Then skin turns black scabs over and grows in size. I lose layers of tissue and it takes several weeks to heal. Any ideas what it could be?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Lytic action of the poison

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.

Noted your history of insect bites several times, followed by slight itch, skins turns black, scabs and the wound grows in size, loose several layers and take several weeks to heal.

This is lysis of the skin and the underlying tissues caused by the poison of the insect. It has a lytic action meaning the tissues get dead hence take several weeks to heal.

The treatment is:
Prevention of the insect bites.
Timely antihistamine and oral steroid and to see its effect.
Care of the wound.
Get the area debugged.

I hope this answers your query, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you need to or if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
I shall be happy assist you further.
You may please post the actual and clear photographs to know the extent of tissue damage.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar