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What Causes An Insect Bite Like Wound With A Purple Circle?

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Posted on Sat, 13 Jun 2015
Question: I have what looks to be an insect bite with a purple circle around it. It started out as a bump. The swelling is mostly gone. There is little pain. it has a tiny red spot in the middle. It is about a day old
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Watch for signs of infection

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I couldn't identify the kind of lesion by your description only, but what is important in a case like this is to avoid potential complications from a bite. The most important complication is an infection. Signs of infection might be worsening swelling, pain, warmth and perhaps also pus collection. If you can't see the insect or its sting then you can't do anything more right now. Just watch it for signs of worsening, as I've described above.

If the lesion evolves into something different, like an expanding circular lesion that leaves normal skin around the center of the circle then please contact your doctor because Lyme disease could be the cause. Pennsylvania has a lot of Lyme cases.

And if you can take a good quality picture of the lesion, it might help.

Contact me again, if you'd like to ask for clarifications or further information.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (5 minutes later)
I've taken a picture that I can download onto my computer. what is the best way to get the picture to you?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You can upload it with a follow-up question

Detailed Answer:
You can either upload it when sending a follow-up question or you can upload it to any image hosting website you like and send me a working link with a follow-up question. I would advise you to use the first method which is known to work fine!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (17 hours later)
...
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
it looks like an injury!

Detailed Answer:
Are you sure you haven't hit your leg somewhere? It looks a lot like an injury. Given the time it needed to evolve it's likely something acute, like a bite or an injury. It could also be a thrombosed superficial vein. I can't say and the picture is not good enough to look at it closely. If you've seen substantial improvement then you can give it some more time.

If it's not getting any better then you've got to check it with a dermatologist for a close look. If it's a vein then an ultrasound scan may reveal the clot.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (2 hours later)
its my left arm - not my leg. About 5 inches above my hand
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (39 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
yes... wrong word! but makes no difference

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

yes it's obviously an arm not a leg! But it makes no difference. It still looks like an injury. Have you hit it? When the skin gets old it becomes thinner and more fragile and the same thing happens with the blood vessels. They can rupture easily causing bruises.

I can't say for sure that this is your case, but it does seem a lot like this.

Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3817 Questions

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What Causes An Insect Bite Like Wound With A Purple Circle?

Brief Answer: Watch for signs of infection Detailed Answer: Hello, I couldn't identify the kind of lesion by your description only, but what is important in a case like this is to avoid potential complications from a bite. The most important complication is an infection. Signs of infection might be worsening swelling, pain, warmth and perhaps also pus collection. If you can't see the insect or its sting then you can't do anything more right now. Just watch it for signs of worsening, as I've described above. If the lesion evolves into something different, like an expanding circular lesion that leaves normal skin around the center of the circle then please contact your doctor because Lyme disease could be the cause. Pennsylvania has a lot of Lyme cases. And if you can take a good quality picture of the lesion, it might help. Contact me again, if you'd like to ask for clarifications or further information. Kind Regards!