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Dr. Andrew Rynne

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Bit By An Insect On Face Near Left Ear. Red, Painful Around The Area Extended To Neck, Lymph Node. Treatment?

I was bit by an insect 3 times 2 days ago on the side of my face just ext to my left ear. It burned the first day, but they are now 3 hard painful bumps. They are a little bit red around them but mostly flesh color. Today, the 3rd day, they are still very painful and the pain seems to be traveling down my face towards my neck/ lymph node area. Is this all normal, should I watch and see. or seek medical attention? Any suggestions of treatment?
Mon, 8 Jul 2013
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Pathologist and Microbiologist 's  Response
Hello,

The severity of the condition depends on the type of insect bite.

Many type of insects are known the produce severe reaction.

To control the inflammation antihistamines are used.

If it is secondarily infected then antibiotics should be used.

Consult your doctor.
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General & Family Physician Dr. Vishal Vadgama's  Response
Hi,

Welcome to Healthcaremagic,

Many a times when insects bites, it injects toxin in to victim's body, which produces a local allergic reaction (itching, burning, redness, edema/bump and pain at the site of bite). These symptoms usually subside in three to four days. But some times, in addition to toxin, insect injects bacteria (like streptococci). Either the toxin or bacteria, many a times, produces inflammation of lymph nodes as in your case. So, what I suggest is, if you have or develop any of these symptoms like fever, allergic symptoms (i.e. itching, rash, redness etc.) in other parts of body, generalized weakness, light headedness or the local site becomes necrosed or there is pus or the local area which was originally affected is increasing in diameter then you must seek medical help. Otherwise, antihistaminic drugs (H1 blocker drugs) and a pain killer (NSAIDS) along with local icing will provide you relief.(For icing see below note)

Hope this will help you, take care.

Dr. Vishal Vadgama (MD)

Note:- For a local reaction, ice packs may minimize swelling. Apply ice for no more than 15 minutes at a time using a cloth barrier between ice and skin to prevent direct thermal injury to the skin.

Reference :-
1. Insect Bites Treatment & Management. Boyd (Bo) D Burns, Robert A Williams et-all. (Source - http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/769067-treatment)
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Bit By An Insect On Face Near Left Ear. Red, Painful Around The Area Extended To Neck, Lymph Node. Treatment?

Hello, The severity of the condition depends on the type of insect bite. Many type of insects are known the produce severe reaction. To control the inflammation antihistamines are used. If it is secondarily infected then antibiotics should be used. Consult your doctor.