Posted: 2/23/2005 12:31:00 PM EDT
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I never thought I'd be asking this but... About two days ago, I noticed a small (<1cm) red area on the back of my left hand just above the ring finger and just above the 4th metacarple - 4th phalanx bone on the dorsal side. The red area has been growing. It now extends across the 3rd metacarpal bone area, down the 3rd and 4th phalanx bone areas and is just about to the 5th metacarpal area (About 2.5cm). There is now a noticeable white spot in the center of the red area over the 4th metacarpal - phalanx joint. I can feel a small amount of swelling under the skin here. There is mild swelling over the entire area. The area is normal temp and palpable w/o any apparent underlying foreign bodies. There is little pain. I was too darn busy today to go see the sawbones. Miz LWilde gave me hell for ignoring it this morning...and I'm for it tonight when she sees how much it has grown. I think I was bitten by a spider. I can't remember any being bitten...but I can't figure out what else it might be. I was working in the garden spreading mulch on Monday. I am not running a fever and have no other apparent symptoms. No pics available now...maybe later when I learn how to use the new digital camera. Any ideas from the hive (And DON'T SHOW THOSE BROWN RECLUSE PICS!!!)? 
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| I hate to say this, but it may well be a recluse bite. (don't worry, I won't show the pics) Of course, in your area there are a few other insects which would give similar results, however most of these would be quite painful at the time of biting. (wasps, hornets, ants etc...) I do believe that you needto see a doctor about this. |
Post pics. And tell me your favorite sci-fi book/series/movie/whatever ETA based on your avatar, I'd say this is a strong contender: 
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Yep, maybe. To eliminate the chance of ground proteins douse the area with alcohol 3-4 times to de-nature. Monitor self for changes in vitals and change of area. Seek medical attn if condition persists, aggravates or causes change in vitals. |
Thanks to you serious posters. To the joker  s, thanks anyway! The missus marked the area with a pen tonight when I got home from work. The central white area is slightly larger. The red area appears to have stopped growing. No signs of necrosis. Very minor pain to the touch. Monitoring carefully and am going to the doctor tomorrow morning if not snowed in. The chance of a recluse appears to be pretty slim based on our venue and the time of year...but nothing is certain except for death and taxes. Thanks again for your support. |
What's a doctor going to do? We had two guys get bit in the locker room on the same day at work. After waiting four hours in the ER, all the doctor did was give them Tylenol. The next morning both of the guys had boils about 1/2" across. One ended-up infected and the other guy only got a nasty crater-shaped scar. Is there anything a doctor can do? Aside: the doctor did suggest using glue traps to catch them. We caught a couple and haven't had a problem since.z |
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Oral benedryl will help if it's an alergic/histimine issue. even over the counter may be worth a shot by way of process of elimination. disregard if you have a known allergy to benedryl! 3 yrs ago I had a spider bite on my back that got infected, because it bit me right over a sebacious cyst, not fun. Monitor the wound site for extraordinary warmth, and streaks toward the heart. The lack of a necrotic spot in the center leads me away from the idea of spider bite, but other insect bites dont show the black center. Good luck, and get to the Doc. They may not be able to do much at this point, but eliminating anything more serious is worth the visit cost/hassle. DaddyDett |