Insect Bite? Bad Reaction or Something More?

DO NOT put a warm compress on what could be an insect bite. Warm compresses increase blood flow which can aid in spreading an infection. If anything, ice it, but do NOT put heat on it.

My daughter got a red ant bite last year that she had an allergic reaction to, which sounds like what you're describing. She had to get a steroid shot to clear it up. It was on her toe, and her whole foot swelled up.

If I were you, I would take a benadryl, and put hydrocortisone cream on the spot. If that doesn't clear it up, go to the doc for something stronger.

I'm a combat medic and see these in the field pretty regularly. I don't like making an assessment sight unseen, but in this case it sounds pretty clear.

What you're describing seems like an infected spider bite. As it could possibly be a brown recluse, I highly recommend that you get yourself to the doctor for prescribed antibiotics. Stopping the infection before it gets to the point where your skin starts literally dying is imperative at this point or you'll deal with months of wound care.

Doctor's appointment. Now. Please.

I agree with Christy that it sounds like a spider bite. I would call your doc to see if he thinks you need to come in and be seen. Esp since the symptoms are growing (warm to touch, weird color, etc)

PS Christy, thanks for your service. And thanks to your family for their sacrifice so you can serve. :)

spider!
it's probably fine, and if you feel otherwise okay, i wouldn't go to the doctor. that's a big reaction area, though, so keep a close eye on it.
ETA having read christy's response, i'd listen to her.
khairete
S.

Sounds like staph. A lot of staph infections start out mimicking a bug bite. I would try popping it (with a sterilized needle) and gently squeezing out the pus. That should help with the pressure. Put some antibiotic ointment on it, cover with a bandage, and keep it watched. If it doesn't start to get better, go see the dr. You might need some antibiotics.

The red skin sounds like an infection. I would at least call the doctor, speak to a nurse, and see if they think you should come in. They are the experts :)

Size of a small ORANGE???!!! Seriously???
For goodness sake, get it looked at!

Circle the reddened area with indelible marker so you can make sure it is shrinking rather than getting bigger. If it does not shrink in the next day or two, see a doctor.

We have May flies up here in New England, and they have horrible bites with very large red circles, hot to the touch. They can be 2 inches across. There is usually a small hard spot in the center, and a wide area of irritation. Raised, itchy. So, by itself, the size of the red area isn't alarming.

What concerns me about yours is the pus-filled center. That can indicate infection, or a reaction to venom. I also think it's a spider bite, or possibly a tick bite (although I would think you would see the tick). I think you need to see someone right away. See your primary care physician if your insurance requires a referral, but if it's after hours, I'd go to a walk-in clinic if you have good ones, or a the ER. Don't just leave it and see what happens. I absolutely would not wait. Sometimes these things get into the bloodstream and cause huge problems. Put ice on it, not heat, and get seen.

My son attends a camp in the summer. When we were preparing for it the first time, one of the tips included when to talk to someone about an insect bite. If it grows, gets painful, or gets redder, get to the nurse. It sounds like yours has really gotten a lot larger and since it is warm to the touch, I would call the doc.

I would get it looked at. It could any number of things.

Go to the doc today or the ER> if this was a poisonous spider the poison could be coursing through your blood and about to make you very very sick.

Sounds like a pimple. Put some neosporin or triple antibiotic on it and just keep an eye on it. Personally I would not go to doctor.

I would go to a GP since the redness has been growing.