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Suggest Remedies For Sores And Blisters On Arm With Red, Itchy Bumps Around Them
A week ago, I was pulling weeds and had 2 spots show up on my arm from where I was carrying the weeds. At first, there were 2 welts (like hives), and then the spots blistered. There were little black hair looking things coming out of both spots, so I assumed I probably had a caterpillar touch my arm. Sores developed where the blisters were, and the scabs have fallen off as of this morning; however, I continue to get little bumps around the areas affected, it is red and itches like crazy. I have treated with cortisone cream and benadryl cream, and while it controls the redness and itching for a short period, the bumps, redness, and itching return. Could this possibly just be an allergic reaction to the hypothetical caterpillar? And if so, since it s been a week, should I seek medical treatment or just continue to treat at home?
Wed, 29 Jan 2020
Hi,
Dermatologic conditions are hard to discuss without seeing them.AND, an immunological reaction to a plant oil (poison ivy, poison Sumac) is very common. Not to a caterpillar.Black threads are pretty common with any seepage out of the skin and is NOT from an infestation in the skin. The big worry is spreading redness, warmth, worsening swelling or purulence which would imply an infection after the skin broke. Untreated bacterial infections can go quite bad. Cortisone, and benadryl are really weak and I haven't seen them do much. So, getting a quick look by pretty much any physician would rule out anything serious and a prescription for strong steroids would fix it up in 2-3 days.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Matt Wachsman, Addiction Medicine Specialist
Dermatologic conditions are hard to discuss without seeing them.AND, an immunological reaction to a plant oil (poison ivy, poison Sumac) is very common. Not to a caterpillar.Black threads are pretty common with any seepage out of the skin and is NOT from an infestation in the skin. The big worry is spreading redness, warmth, worsening swelling or purulence which would imply an infection after the skin broke. Untreated bacterial infections can go quite bad. Cortisone, and benadryl are really weak and I haven't seen them do much. So, getting a quick look by pretty much any physician would rule out anything serious and a prescription for strong steroids would fix it up in 2-3 days.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Matt Wachsman, Addiction Medicine Specialist
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