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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does A Single Patch On Forearm Suggest Spider Bite Allergy?

Hi, I have a single, oval-shaped patch on my left forearm that has a white bump in the middle. Unfortunately I m colorblind so I can t determine the exact color, but I d say it s either a red or brown color. I work as a landscaper so I m outside 99% of the time and I live along the Jersey Shore in New Jersey. It showed up 4 days ago, but when I first noticed it I thought it was just a bruise as the white bump wasn t that prevalent on the first day so I didn t pay it much mind. The next day I noticed it was a little different looking so I looked closer and I had a feeling it wasn t a bruise as the white bump was a lot clearer and there wasn t any black and blue areas normally associated with bruises. I even lightly pressed on it in different areas to see if there was any pain and there was none, which is something I ve always felt with bruises. Besides just having the patch on my arm, I haven t noticed anything else. There s no pain, no illnesses, no nausea, no itching, no burning, and so on. After doing some research online several websites have said that it could be an insect/spider bite, but I haven t been able to match exactly what it is so far. I ve looked at pictures and symptoms, but every one I ve seen doesn t match what I have. The closest thing I ve seen is Lyme s Disease, but my patch doesn t have an extra ring around the outside like every picture of Lyme s Disease I ve seen has. Also, I saw a few times that if it has a white bump in the middle, it s most likely a spider bite. I looked at the poisonous spider symptoms and mine looks nothing like any of the top 3 or 4 so I don t think it s one of those. Some mentioned it could just be a mild spider bite or just an allergic reaction to whatever it is. It hasn t appeared to have gotten any better since I noticed it so I m getting worried about what it is. I just lost my health insurance as I just turned 26 on April 26 and was dropped from my parents health insurance so going to a hospital or a doctor is kind of a problem for me right now.
Tue, 15 Nov 2022
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Anesthesiologist 's  Response
Hello,

You seem to have a nodule. The following are few probable causes of a nodule:
Trauma
Acne
Moles
Warts
Pockets of infection, such as abscesses and boils
Cancerous growths
Cysts
Corns
Allergic reactions, including hives
Swollen lymph nodes
Childhood illnesses, like chicken pox
Molluscum contagiosum
Insect bites

Treatment depends upon the cause of the nodule. As going to hospital is difficult for you, you may try the following treatment as I assume it to be an insect bite as you mentioned.
1) Washing the affected area with soap and water
2) Placing a cold compress (a flannel or cloth soaked in cold water) over the area to reduce swelling
3) Avoid scratching the affected area to avoid infection. If you are in pain or if the area is swollen then take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen.
4) Oral antihistamines like Benadryl is useful.
5) Calamine lotion can be applied topically.
6) Triamcenolone acetonide 0.1% is to be applied over the nodule 2 times a day for a week.
7) You may use hydrocortisone 1% cream twice daily over the affected area.

If the nodule doesn't decrease in size with the above treatment, please do consult a dermatologist for specific diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist
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Does A Single Patch On Forearm Suggest Spider Bite Allergy?

Hello, You seem to have a nodule. The following are few probable causes of a nodule: Trauma Acne Moles Warts Pockets of infection, such as abscesses and boils Cancerous growths Cysts Corns Allergic reactions, including hives Swollen lymph nodes Childhood illnesses, like chicken pox Molluscum contagiosum Insect bites Treatment depends upon the cause of the nodule. As going to hospital is difficult for you, you may try the following treatment as I assume it to be an insect bite as you mentioned. 1) Washing the affected area with soap and water 2) Placing a cold compress (a flannel or cloth soaked in cold water) over the area to reduce swelling 3) Avoid scratching the affected area to avoid infection. If you are in pain or if the area is swollen then take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen. 4) Oral antihistamines like Benadryl is useful. 5) Calamine lotion can be applied topically. 6) Triamcenolone acetonide 0.1% is to be applied over the nodule 2 times a day for a week. 7) You may use hydrocortisone 1% cream twice daily over the affected area. If the nodule doesn t decrease in size with the above treatment, please do consult a dermatologist for specific diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist