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Why Did I Get Swelling After A Tuberculin Test?
Question: About 2 weeks ago I was stung 3x by some kind of insect. The stings were painful that evening, but by the next day they were essentially unnoticeable. About a week later, I had a tuberculin test and that evening the locations of the stings became reddened and itchy, with some swelling. That was about 72 hrs ago. The reaction has subsided somewhat now, but the sites are still mildly itchy, reddened and swollen. What is going on?
I don't know what the bug was that stung me, but I saw it and it wasn't a wasp or hornet. By the way, the tuberculin test was negative.
I don't know what the bug was that stung me, but I saw it and it wasn't a wasp or hornet. By the way, the tuberculin test was negative.
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain and reaction that you had to the insect bites was an immediate allergic response. The immediate reaction usually goes away in about an hour, but some people have itching that persists for a couple of day. This occurs when your body produces antibodies against the allergen (insect bite containing saliva and chemical released into the blood stream which act as allergens).
Then you had tuberculin test after a few days in which TB antigen (purified protein derivative, or PPD) was injected intradermally. The immune system of the body was activated against this antigen and regarded it as foreign in nature or not belonging to the body. The effect came as delayed hypersensitivity reaction of the body to this antigen caused by your immune cells and hence the bites started itching and swelling again.
Wash the bites with some antiseptic lotion or soap. Use cold water but avoid the use of warm or hot water as this may tend to stimulate itch. Secondly, apply a cold pack over the bites to reduce swelling. Also do not scratch the inflamed area as this may lead to open wounds and secondary infections. You may apply a mild steroid cream and take OTC anthistaminics for the itching after consulting your doctor. Application of calamine lotion also helps.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you a good health.
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain and reaction that you had to the insect bites was an immediate allergic response. The immediate reaction usually goes away in about an hour, but some people have itching that persists for a couple of day. This occurs when your body produces antibodies against the allergen (insect bite containing saliva and chemical released into the blood stream which act as allergens).
Then you had tuberculin test after a few days in which TB antigen (purified protein derivative, or PPD) was injected intradermally. The immune system of the body was activated against this antigen and regarded it as foreign in nature or not belonging to the body. The effect came as delayed hypersensitivity reaction of the body to this antigen caused by your immune cells and hence the bites started itching and swelling again.
Wash the bites with some antiseptic lotion or soap. Use cold water but avoid the use of warm or hot water as this may tend to stimulate itch. Secondly, apply a cold pack over the bites to reduce swelling. Also do not scratch the inflamed area as this may lead to open wounds and secondary infections. You may apply a mild steroid cream and take OTC anthistaminics for the itching after consulting your doctor. Application of calamine lotion also helps.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you a good health.
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Answered by
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