Maybe a bug bite? Should I take him to pediatrician?

mags2041

Yesterday I noticed that Lucas had something that looked like a mosquito bite on his knuckle of his right hand.  This morning the bite looks better, but his whole hand is swollen.  It doesn't seem to bother him, but it looks awful.  I asked him if it hurt and he proceeded to show me the ouchie on his left hand.  He's at DCPs right now but I told her that I might get him to take him to the doctor.

I did call the pediatrician and they've let go of the triage nurse so I'm waiting for a call back from the medical assitant... grrrr....

KoriBrett

You live in AZ, right? 

Wayyyy too many venomous pokey things there for me - I'd def. take him just in case it wasn't something harmless that got him.

debs1018

Ditto Kori. I would probably take him in.

Yodajo

We went through this with Sam last year.  He swelled up twice so bad.  Once on his ear, so he looked like Dr. Doolittle and another time, he had a bite right above his eyebrow that ended up swelling his eye closed.  Because it was his eye, we took him to the ER (it was a Sunday of course) and as soon as they looked at him, they knew it was a bug bite.  I guess its fairly common. 

From what I remember, our pedi said to try Benadryl when we talked over the phone.   I wouldn't be surprised if they have you wait it out a bit.  As bad as Sam's eye was, they hardly blinked an eye at it.

HEre is a pic, so you can see what I mean.  This is when it was getting better and not completely swollen shut:

joseysbride

Swelling is pretty common with kids and bug bites.  Growing up, my brother spent most summers with one eye swelled shut (like the pic above).  I'm sure Benadryl will help with the reaction.

That said, reading the other posts, I don't know a thing about the type of insects you have where you live, so I think you did the right thing by calling.  Just don't get yourself too worried before you know for sure!

mags2041

Thanks Yodajo!  I'm not too worried because it doesn't hurt him and its not red & hot... but I will wait for a call back from the nurse.  I was thinking I might drop some benadryl off to DCPs later after I check to see how he's doing.

AZ_Erica

Fire ants?  I had the same reaction last week.  Doc told me benadryl.  I would call before taking him in.