bitten or stung?
 

Hi all, I've just been up for my shower and when putting my body cream on I noticed a sore spot on the back of my leg,(calf) when I looked there is a circular bruise about 2 or 3 inches round with a tiny black dot right in the middle... there's no pain only when I touch it.... anyone got any ideas, never seen this sort of thing before :eek: Just thought I'd ask as I'm not someone who usually bruises...and this one is quite black :o

Re: bitten or stung?
 

Most bites and stings I have had have been very red and itchy not bruising. Sounds strange having a bruise with a black dot in the middle, hope someone can help you with this. If you are not able to work put what it is why not ask at the chemist tomorrow morning.

Rosemary

Re: bitten or stung?
 

Just had a thought. Have you been out walking dogs on rough ground where you might have caught yourself on a twig or something?

Rosemary

Re: bitten or stung?
 

Could it be a tick?

Re: bitten or stung?
 

have been out with the dog yes and over moorland areas... I'm sure I would have felt something whack me that hard to bruise, but it's the dot in the middle makes me think it's either a bite or sting.... I don't think it's a tick as I would feel a lump and there isn't one... puzzling isn't it. I'll definately let someone have a look tomorrow if it's any worse.... wish my Spanish was up to scratch now, :o

Re: bitten or stung?
 

Ticks are usually obvious as they get bigger as they drink your blood.

They do sometimes leave a mark but it is usually a red halo round the site rather than a bruise which can suggest a problem with Lyme disease.

It could just be a local reaction to a normal bite. If in doubt go to Urgencias to get them to have a look at it.

.

Re: bitten or stung?
 

If it's a tick bite, and you have a red ring around it, get to a doctor and tell him about it ASAP.

This is no exaggeration: My brother had exactly that two years ago. He lives in the country, so he's always picking off ticks.. no big deal.

It went away in a few days, one month later he fell into very serious pain in his arms and shoulders, with increasing paralysis. He was rushed to the hospital. They couldn't figure out what was wrong with him for a week, until one doctor asked if he'd had a tick bite and if it had a red or brown circle around it.

Lyme disease!

After extensive treatment, it took him over a year to fully recover the use of his arms, and was on heavy pain killers for 6 months of it.

Don't mess around. Get it seen to!

Re: bitten or stung?
 

This is true...but I was wondering if the black bit in the middle is actually the tick's head and the body has got knocked/rubbed off...thus causing an infection. In the US we are told to remove ticks very carefully so all of the tick is removed...taking extra care to make sure the head isn't left behind in the flesh. There are different types of ticks...deer ticks can cause Lyme Disease but I think some can kill the surrounding flesh.

Re: bitten or stung?
 

Take an antihistamine and if you are worried about Lyme disease, seek a doctor. were you walking in the hills where it is prevalent?

Re: bitten or stung?
 

thanks for all the good advice..I have antibiotics with me at all times as I have no immune system... I will put antihistamine on tonight...there's still no pain or itching as such... so will check again in the morning.. if it wasn't for the fact I rub body cream on every day (vain creature that I am) I probably would never have noticed it. it's great to know you people are about, and answer all our queries so promptly that puts my mind at rest. I am still looking to re-locate to Spain later this year, even given that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis.. I have heard that it is controllable here in Spain:fingerscrossed:

Re: bitten or stung?
 

A bit off topic, but we are hoping to relocate to spain soon and my friend has rhuematoid Arthritis, would love to know about it being controllable?

Re: bitten or stung?
 

It could possibly be a bite from a spider, if it goes any worse do see your doctor.
Spider bites (as I know only too well) can become very problematic and can kill flesh in the surrounding area, I have a permanent scar on my shin from a bite three years ago.... and I never felt it bite.

Re: bitten or stung?
 

many people have found that it is more easily controllable.
doctors will say its a load of hogwash, I know mine did.
but I get little problems with my arthritis and gouty ankles here

perhaps its the combination of a less stressful lifestyle, better quality (without perservatives) and fresh food or just a drier atmosphere (he says as someone empties another bucket from the sky :thumbdown:).

All I can say is I feel better and healthier out here, and have lost weight in the last 6months which I needed to do...

:focus:
the BH suffers with both mosquito and other bug bites every year, most are usually a minor irritation, but occasionally there is one that takes a while to clear.
For some reason I rarely suffer - but I don't use perfumed soap or other products, which FE time has shown me to be a major attraction for the bugs.

Re: bitten or stung?
 

I'm not 100% sure through personal experience as I am still medicating in the UK but I have heard through my Spanish and ex pat friends that the treatment of RA here in Spain is better controlled and monitored. When I asked my specialist about moving to Spain he poo pooed the idea, but I personally think he just didn't want to lose a patient.
I also find that when I am here I forget to take my methotrexate as I did this week, and I don't get a flare up as I would in UK. I'm sure it's the good weather and less stressful lifestyle, plus the good food. I only eat natural foods here and definatley no meat.

Re: bitten or stung?
 

as you can see, I'm still alive this morning, still a bruise and no pain, so I'll just keep my eye on it as you've all advised. If I stop posting on here and replying to posts, then you can get worried... :rofl: