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Thought it was a bug bite?
About a month or so ago, I got what I believed was a bug bite (I play outfield in softball) on my ankle. Of course, I scratched it. However, the itching became worse, and I developed small pustules (in one small spot), my ankle became swollen and a large portion of the area was red (never went beyond a few inches from the initial site). It was tender to walk when I first got up in the morning (that was the worst), and when I'd get up from a chair, it was tender at first but it lessened the more I was on my feet. The entire issue finally subsided after maybe a week. Now, I have developed the same thing. These two instances are the first time in my life that I've ever had this happen from what I assume was just a bug bite. I put Caladryl on it last night, but that didn't help. I am going to take allergy medicine to control the itching. Any idea what this could really be? As I said, I assumed it might have just been a bug bite, but why the swelling, tenderness, redness and pustules?
I'm 37, no health problems, no pregnancies, use birth control, and only developed allergies about 10 years ago (to hay, even just being inside a barn with hay messes with me, and being around when grass is being cut).
I'm 37, no health problems, no pregnancies, use birth control, and only developed allergies about 10 years ago (to hay, even just being inside a barn with hay messes with me, and being around when grass is being cut).
Thanks for the post, doctornee.
After I took one allergy pill, the redness went away completely and it's not tender anymore or swollen. It's got only a small bit of itching to it, like any normal, annoying bug bite. This was only the second time that this had ever happened, both times in the last 6 weeks or so. I've not bought new shoes recently, nor had I been in anything beyond grass on a ball field when this started. I'll see if it persists, but I question why it would happen only occasionally, when I'm in the outfield at least two evenings per week playing ball. Seems like it would happen more often, but, as you said, maybe it's neurodermatitis with an unknown cause, or maybe I'm getting bitten by just one certain bug that makes me react this way.
Thanks again!
After I took one allergy pill, the redness went away completely and it's not tender anymore or swollen. It's got only a small bit of itching to it, like any normal, annoying bug bite. This was only the second time that this had ever happened, both times in the last 6 weeks or so. I've not bought new shoes recently, nor had I been in anything beyond grass on a ball field when this started. I'll see if it persists, but I question why it would happen only occasionally, when I'm in the outfield at least two evenings per week playing ball. Seems like it would happen more often, but, as you said, maybe it's neurodermatitis with an unknown cause, or maybe I'm getting bitten by just one certain bug that makes me react this way.
Thanks again!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
It is really difficult to comment. However this looks like a case of neurodermatitis, generally the cause is not known. Generally it heals on its own. The other reason could be schistosomasis dermatitis caused by sensitization reaction to repeated invasion of the skin by cercariae of schistosomes (a parasite). The third possibility is eczema. It could also be a case of pustular contact dermatitis due to contact with some allergen. Common causes for allergic contact dermatitis of the foot and ankle are exposure to poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac, and exposure to dyes used in shoes and sneakers. Check if you bought some shoes recently or the place you went to had these poisonous plants. It would be wise to consult a skin specialist once.
Hope this helps. Do let me know if there is any thing else and keep me posted. Take care!
Thanks for writing to the forum!
It is really difficult to comment. However this looks like a case of neurodermatitis, generally the cause is not known. Generally it heals on its own. The other reason could be schistosomasis dermatitis caused by sensitization reaction to repeated invasion of the skin by cercariae of schistosomes (a parasite). The third possibility is eczema. It could also be a case of pustular contact dermatitis due to contact with some allergen. Common causes for allergic contact dermatitis of the foot and ankle are exposure to poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac, and exposure to dyes used in shoes and sneakers. Check if you bought some shoes recently or the place you went to had these poisonous plants. It would be wise to consult a skin specialist once.
Hope this helps. Do let me know if there is any thing else and keep me posted. Take care!
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