Flea bite reaction
Moderator: talkhealth
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- Posts: 1
- Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:50 pm
Flea bite reaction
I was bitten a few times by. Fleas in Nov last year. I got an infection on both lower arms which needed antibiotics. Only one arm had a single bite on it, the other one had none but both got infected. It cleared up but then in late December I got two bites on my leg And my arm flared up again. I take certirizine daily and currently put betnovate on the inflamed area but it is getting no better.
Am I just going to have to put up with this now or will it eventually go. It's driving me mad.
Am I just going to have to put up with this now or will it eventually go. It's driving me mad.
- Dr Mich Erlewyn-Lajeunesse
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:59 pm
Re: Flea bite reaction
Hi
Are you sure that they are flea bites? Bed bugs are making a comeback in the UK and can cause large reactions. They often occur in crops. The fact that you were bitten elsewhere but your old bite came back up suggests an immunological response. Cetirizine wont make much difference but the Betnovate steroid cream should help it to settle. If you see no improvement then you should see a doctor to make sure that it is not infected and it really is a bite reaction. Your GP may then prescribe some steroid tablets to bring it under control.
Best wishes
Dr Mich Lajeunesse
Are you sure that they are flea bites? Bed bugs are making a comeback in the UK and can cause large reactions. They often occur in crops. The fact that you were bitten elsewhere but your old bite came back up suggests an immunological response. Cetirizine wont make much difference but the Betnovate steroid cream should help it to settle. If you see no improvement then you should see a doctor to make sure that it is not infected and it really is a bite reaction. Your GP may then prescribe some steroid tablets to bring it under control.
Best wishes
Dr Mich Lajeunesse
Dr Mich Erlewyn-Lajeunesse
Consultant Paediatrician - BSc MBBS DM FRCPCH
Consultant Paediatrician - BSc MBBS DM FRCPCH
- Dr Anton Alexandroff
- Posts: 435
- Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2012 9:11 am
Re: Flea bite reaction
I agree with Dr Lajeunesse that it is very important to rule out bed bugs. They can make life really miserable. And although steroid cream Betnovate and antihistamines can help temporarily it will not remove the cause. I would also suggest to see your GP or a dermatologist and if your rash is in keeping with insect bites you may need to have your house treated by a specialist.
Dr Anton Alexandroff MRCP(UK) PhD FAAD FRSM
Consultant Dermatologist in Bedford and Leicester
www.alexandroff.org.uk
twitter: @bedford_skin_dr
Dr Anton Alexandroff MRCP(UK) PhD FAAD FRSM
Consultant Dermatologist in Bedford and Leicester
www.alexandroff.org.uk
twitter: @bedford_skin_dr
Dr Anton Alexandroff
Consultant Dermatologist, Honorary Senior Lecturer & BSF spokesperson - FRCP, CCT (Derm), PhD, FRSM, FAAD
http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... ndroff.php
Consultant Dermatologist, Honorary Senior Lecturer & BSF spokesperson - FRCP, CCT (Derm), PhD, FRSM, FAAD
http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... ndroff.php