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Suggest Treatment For Itchy Bug Bites Despite Taking Benadryl And Cortisone Creams

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Posted on Tue, 3 Oct 2017
Question: My daughter was bitten by bug or bugs in the park last sunday, as she was laying on a towel on the grass . She felt the bite and left. There were not much symptoms until Wednesday when a severe itch came on and the red bite spots showed up. she lives by herself and I did not see this until Friday, when i started giving her Benadryl 1 tab 2-3 times a day, and gave her anti itch cream and a Cortisone 10 creams to apply as many times as necessary. Today it seemed worse even though the itch is somewhat controlled. The rash is localized only over her legs, which were the only exposed area of her body while at the park. No fever for now, no other symptoms, but it looks very bad. What else can I do?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (46 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I recommend oral steroid and oral cetrizine

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I am Dr. kakkar (dermatologist). I have gone through your query and I have viewed the Image.

I can see bright red patches. It is an insect bite.

It is an irritant reaction to the bite, secretions/ saliva or fluids of the biting insect. I am sure it must be somewhat painful or have a burning sensation to it. Before it finally starts to settles, it is usual for this sort of an irritant reaction to worsen over the next few days and there might even be blisters and skin necrosis.
Topically it would be fine if she continues to use cortisone cream, twice or thrice daily for 2 weeks. However cortisone cream is very mild and may not be very effective if used alone, therefore, if I was the treating doctor I would suggest a short course of an Oral steroid e.g Tab. Prednisolone 20mg once daily, after breakfast for a week Or may be a more potent topical steroid cream e.g either mometasone furoate 0.1% or betamethasone valerate 0.1% cream. These are prescription steroids.
In addition I would suggest an oral antihistamine e.g Tab. Cetrizine once daily for a week. Benadryl though fine is short acting.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (8 minutes later)
Thank you, Dr. Kakkar.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome

Detailed Answer:
thank you for writing to us..

Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Itchy Bug Bites Despite Taking Benadryl And Cortisone Creams

Brief Answer: I recommend oral steroid and oral cetrizine Detailed Answer: Hello. Thank you for writing to us I am Dr. kakkar (dermatologist). I have gone through your query and I have viewed the Image. I can see bright red patches. It is an insect bite. It is an irritant reaction to the bite, secretions/ saliva or fluids of the biting insect. I am sure it must be somewhat painful or have a burning sensation to it. Before it finally starts to settles, it is usual for this sort of an irritant reaction to worsen over the next few days and there might even be blisters and skin necrosis. Topically it would be fine if she continues to use cortisone cream, twice or thrice daily for 2 weeks. However cortisone cream is very mild and may not be very effective if used alone, therefore, if I was the treating doctor I would suggest a short course of an Oral steroid e.g Tab. Prednisolone 20mg once daily, after breakfast for a week Or may be a more potent topical steroid cream e.g either mometasone furoate 0.1% or betamethasone valerate 0.1% cream. These are prescription steroids. In addition I would suggest an oral antihistamine e.g Tab. Cetrizine once daily for a week. Benadryl though fine is short acting. Regards