Bites or allergic reaction

keepcoming

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May 25, 2011
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This past weekend I spent time in the campo (in-laws). The mosquitos love biting my feet so I always spray with Off/Deep Woods. I have no clue what happened but on Sunday night when I was changing I noticed on the inside of both ankles huge red rash like spots, hot to the touch, and now itching like no tomorrow. Both feet were swollen. Long story short the itching has subsided enough for me to sleep a couple of hours and while the rashes are getting smaller it seems it left some discoloration to the area were the rash was. I have never had something like this. I used some steroid cream the first couple of days but it really did not help much. I am wondering if this may have been some type of reaction to the repellent?
 

xstew

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Jul 4, 2012
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You better see a doctor fast it sounds like you have been bitten by a Brown recluse spider. If the bite is turning black get medical help fast.
 

rogerjac

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Feb 9, 2012
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I spent a couple days in the campo a few weeks ago a I had tons of bites from the knees down. They turned red and a little swollen for about 2 days. When I got home I rubbed some kind of lotion on then and within 3 more days the swelling was gone and the red bite marks were going away. But everyone reacts differently. A visit to the doctor might be the answer for you.
 

Criss Colon

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Jan 2, 2002
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Could be those tiny"Ant" bites.
You don't usually feel the bites, but then they begin to itch like crazy, and last for several days, and form into tiny water filled blisters.
I DOUBT it's a spider bite!
I use steroid cream, but can't say it helps very much.
You can take some Benadryl, 50 mili grams.
You WILL SLEEP after that.
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keepcoming

Moderator - Living & General Stuff
May 25, 2011
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Thanks...It wasn't a spider. It was on both ankles, big red rash with tiny little bites. CC your probably right, "ant" bites. Strangest thing I have seen. The itching is horrible.
 

Olly

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Mar 12, 2007
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Keep coming - what is that they say about cialis - if you have one lasting more than four hours - see a doctora.

Back to topic - ant bights are acid in nature and dousing the affected areas with household Amonia really make a difference. This works for Wasp bites too but not for moquitos.

Try it !

Olly and the Team
 

Trainman33

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Dec 11, 2009
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Get a lime and rub it on the bites. It will sting more for a few minutes but the itching will stop and the bites will start to fade.
 
Aug 21, 2007
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Be careful of the ant bites. If you scratch open one of those blisters, they will itch for days and weeks. I kept scratching open one bite when I first moved here 10 years ago and ended up with cellulitis. Now, the ants don't seem to like me as much.

Nasty things, those ants.

Lindsey
 

bob saunders

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Jan 1, 2002
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I suggest you buy some Dominican BAY Rum, and rub it on. I've found it works great for taking both the itch and infection out of bug bites., and it's not expensive.
 

mountainannie

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Dec 11, 2003
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You better see a doctor fast it sounds like you have been bitten by a Brown recluse spider. If the bite is turning black get medical help fast.

We have a lot of things here.. but I do not believe that we have the brown recluse spider. Brown recluse spider - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I am now a BIG advocate of going to the DOCTOR.

Really.

There are a lot of good ones here. Especially in Santo Domingo and Santiago.

They really know the country and can tell you if it ants, centipedes, sand flies, chikungunya, nettles, or perhaps a skin parasite?

I got a huge rash on my back one of the first months that I was here. I still have no idea what it was, but the Doctor in Las Terrenas simply said it was from "bad water" and gave me the cream which took it away.
 

chic

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Nov 20, 2013
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years ago i came home from another island and had smallpussy bumps all over my hands....i found an island woman who looked at them and sent me to an island dr. he knew egg zactly what it was...script and finished...
 

Cdn_Gringo

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Apr 29, 2014
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Not a spider bite. Brown Recluse, a much bigger deal, no antivenin available, and does not present as a rash consisting of multiple bumps. Could be no-seeums, or ants or a bunch of bites from a myriad of other small insects such as fleas etc. You should see no spread of the "rash" as you are now removed from the source.

The itching is a result of your body producing histamines in reaction to the saliva/"toxins" from the insects. Immediate itch relief can be found with the application of heat. Soak you feet in hot water. As hot as you can stand plus a couple of degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. Add some Epsom salts if you have them.

Repeat when your sanity/concentration is being challenged. If the bumps form pustules/blisters and they break, standard infection controls apply. A cortical steroid cream can help but I usually find that creams are often less effective than I would prefer. Don't scratch, rub gently trying not to break the skin. You should be fine in four or five days.

Good luck.
 

Criss Colon

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I use "Bay Rum",...."Vencedor" brand.
I was sceptical when a "Gringo" friend recommended it for "Bites", but it does appear to work, ESPECIALLY on the ant bites!
I keep a bottle at my bedside, and one next to "MY CHAIR", in the living room.
The INSTANT I feel a bite, I bath it in the Bay Rum!!!!!!!!
I HIGHLY recommend giving it a try!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just don't DRINK IT, use "Brugal" for THAT!!!!!!!\
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Cdn_Gringo

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Apr 29, 2014
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The alcohol in Bay Rum should be the same as applying Isopropyl alcohol 70%+. The evaporation of the alcohol which occurs much faster than water causes a short lived but immediate cooling affect on the skin where applied. It's subcutaneous impact where the irritants are is minimal if any. The cooling effect is an immediate distraction that supersedes the itching and is akin to a placebo effect, but I didn't tell you that cuz knowing will reduce your belief in its effectiveness. ;-)
 

Criss Colon

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It also contains extract from the "Laurel" leaf.
I even pick more and put them into the bottle.
"Placebo" is a VERY STRONG ,...."Medicine"!!!!!!!!!!
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Cdn_Gringo

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Apr 29, 2014
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That I was not aware of and have zero experience or insight into homeopathic remedies. I am not qualified to offer an opinion one way or the other.

I use laurel (bay) leaves to make spaghetti sauce. :)
 

xstew

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Jul 4, 2012
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Be advised Brown Recluse Spiders are here an are mortal in some cases. The American Happy jack died from a brown recluse. The bite turned black then expanded to all the left side of his leg about 8 inches in diameter. He lost all the skin and flesh in that area because of not getting quick treatment. The other was Goulay a Canadian. Both legs turned black all the way to his knees. This spider is HERE and dangerous. I knew both of them RIP