Ok, now I"m worried...medical advice needed.

[gatorsmom]

Cha Cha, our almost 3yo who is 32lbs., gets REALLY swollen from mosquito bites. Within a couple of hours after being bit the site swells up and starts to blister little tiny bumps. On Friday he got a bite on the side of his calf and 2 bites just above his right temple. By Saturday the bites were the size of billard balls. The one on his leg was red, rashy-looking and very stiff. The one on his forehead was getting the same way. By Sunday, the one on his leg was purplish but was not nearly as swollen. It looked like it was starting to heal. The one on his forehead however caused most of his forehead to swell as well as his his right eye. He could barely see out of it.

So, I took him to the ped during their weekend clinic hours and the doctor admitted he didn't know much about it and told me to type the words, "large local reaction" into google and see what info I could find out about it. He said there wasn't a secondary infection at work there and that we should try to prevent Cha Cha from scratching to avoid an infection. But, basically, in an expensive way, I guess the doctor was saying he didn't know what caused the severe swelling like that.

The funny thing is that Cha Cha got 3 gnat bites a few weeks ago and while they are still a bit red, they never swelled up. It's only mosquito bites.

Today his face is just as swollen as it was yesterday. It doesn't look like the swelling went down at all and I"m getting concerned.

Anyone have any ideas about this?

[LarsMal]

I've never seen/heard of a mosquito allergy, but I would imagine it could happen. Does it happen every time he gets bit? Have you tried Benedryl? Did the doctor give you any advice on how to try to treat it (besides not scratching)?

I would probably contact a ped allergist just to explain the situation and see if they think there is an allergy/have advice on what to do.

I hope you can get more help/advice, but I would start by contacting an allergist and maybe trying Benedryl.

Hope it gets better soon!

[Sandy]

It sounds like a a allergic reaction to the mosquito bite. When I was younger I used to have those reactions to mosquito bites. As I have gotten older I have outgrown it. I remember getting the golf ball sized bites. For me they eventually would go away but it took much longer than a regular mosquito bite.

You may want to have your pediatrician refer you to a allergist.

Here is a link that talks a bit about it.

http://allergies.about.com/od/insectallergies/a/mosquitoallergy.htm

HTH,

[sarahsthreads]

This happens to me with spider bites. Mosquito bites are really normal just itchy little lumps, but spider bites (the little harmless spider-variety sort, we don't have poisonous ones in this area) swell up to golf-ball sized and hurt at least as much as they itch. Topical benedryl types of things help a little, and (obviously) not scratching...which is really, really hard to do as an adult, at 3 I doubt you could stop him! Ice also makes it less itchy for a while.

But since mosquito bites happen a lot more frequently, I'd try talking to an allergist. And maybe lather the poor little guy up in bug repellant when possible?

Sarah

[o_mom]

I used to react much more than I do now, but I will still get huge lumps from mosquito bites. It doesn't help that they apparently love me - DH can be out and get no bites and I'll be covered.

This was one reference I found:

http://www.drbarryzimmerman.com/insects/mosquito.htm

"CONCLUSIONS:
Clearly there is clinically useful information in the literature on mosquito bite reactions. The reactions are immunologic in nature to polypeptide antigens in the mosquito saliva. There seems to be the full range of immune responses including immediate IgE-mediated whealing, intermediate immune complex arthus reactions and both late phase allergic and delayed cellular reactions. Fortunately anaphylaxis is extremely rare. The reactions usually decrease with age and there is some evidence that prophylactic antihistamine seems useful in reducing the reactions. However if taking prophylactic anti-histamine does not seem that appealing, not to worry Canada, winter is always around the corner!"

[sidmand]

I used to get them too. But for some reason only on my left. It was weird, mosquitoes loved me too and I would have bites all over, but only the ones on my left would swell up. I remember having one that swelled so much it looked like a third knee. My Mom wrote that I was allergic on my left side and I was so embarrassed at the time!

I still get a ton of mosquito bites, but don't swell up nearly as much as I used too. It's not good, but if it doesn't bother him too much, I would try to avoid them as much as possible, but probably not worry too too much. Easier said than done though!

[gatorsmom]

I used to get them too. But for some reason only on my left. It was weird, mosquitoes loved me too and I would have bites all over, but only the ones on my left would swell up. I remember having one that swelled so much it looked like a third knee.

That is exactly what his bites look like on his legs- his third knee!! They are MUCH bigger than golf-ball size. I know what the pps are talking about- when a mosquito bite is scratched enough the red area grows. This is NOT that. In fact, he doesn't really scratch his bites because he says it hurts to scratch them. Besides the red rashiness, as they the swelling goes down, the swelled area gets purple spots like bruising. I couldn't convince the ped that is wasn't actually bruising from him scratching so much. I never actually saw Cha Cha scratch himself. He said it hurt to touch.

Oh, and believe me, we coat him in bug spray. It's a rare occasion that he gets a bite. But sometimes the little buggers get him anyway. And Benedryl doesn't do much. It certainly doesn' reduce the swelling.

Any one else seen this and have suggestions on how to reduce the swelling/pain? Anyone?

[JTsMom]

Poor kiddo- my mom gets reactions to mosquito bites like that too. She's also very allergic to bee stings. I think I'd push for a second opinion if it's causing him that much discomfort.

Have you tried heat or cold? I know warm baths help with ant bites for me, but sometimes ice is better. I don't know if it will work with that severe of a reaction- just figured I'd throw it out there.

[wendibird22]

Wish I had advice other than benedryl. I had this problem as a kid too. I found that the bites that swelled most was those at or near a joint. I still get some now that are really hot and bigger than normal, but no where near what they were like when I was a child. Benedryl always worked for me.

[ThreeofUs]

Any one else seen this and have suggestions on how to reduce the swelling/pain? Anyone?

Cool, baking soda baths have been known to help. So does dabbing baking soda (wet) or cider vinegar onto the bite - sometimes.

Honestly, though, I'd get him to a ped allergists asap. These types of reactions (with blistering, a lot of hurting/bruising) are worrisome. If benadryl doesn't help, try another allergy med - and dab it on the bites as well as administer internally. If these anti-histamines don't help at all, there might be something else going on with his endocrine system.

Start with an allergy specialist - once they see it, they might have a better idea than the ped about what it is and who can help you.

Hope he feels better soon.

[lizajane]

allergy. use benedryl, especially before bed. dylan was covered one night (he escaped through the dog door into the backyard without bugspray) and he woke up totally free of bites after i gave him benedryl. for whatever reason, wiping solid deoderant on the bites takes out the itch. i am sure ice and ibuprofen can reduce swelling.

if i can find the photo of dylan after he was biten by an insect for the first time, i will post it. you will NOT BELIEVE the reaction came from a bug bite. the ped thought he had a terminal auto immune disease because we could not identify the allergen. the second time he was biten by a BLACK ANT the same thing happened and that is how we figured it out. now that he has been covered with hives TWICE, we carry an epi pen. and yes, i am TERRIFIED of bees. if an ant can puff him up like that, what could a bee do???

so... my scary warning... be very wary of insects. sorry. :(

[pastrygirl]

That happens to me. I also get flu-like aches in the area I got bitten. Yesterday I think my throat started closing up after getting bitten on the back of my neck (due to swelling, I don't think it was actually my throat closing up). When I talked to my doctor about it, she said I need to use Deet even indoors (I frequently get bitten inside because guests can't manage to shut the doors quickly when they go in/out of my house). She also said I should take Benadryl or other allergy meds.

I'm trying to find more natural ways to deal with it but I don't know if any are safe for kids (right now I'm trying St. John's oil on the bites and it seems to work well for me). Someone recommended red tiger balm, but I haven't tried that.

I'm very scared of what a bee sting might do to me. I've never gotten one and am PETRIFIED of them to the point of staying indoors most of the spring and summer.

[pb&j]

My grandmother has reactions like this. She is also very sensitive to bee stings, to the point where we wonder if the next one will give her an anaphalactic reaction.

But for me the bigger issue is why on earth did your PHYSICIAN tell you to google for info? That's truly negligent, IMO. And if your physician's other option is to use google himself, that's also really negligent. There are many ways that both health care consumers and professionals can get quality medical information. Doing a random google search is not one of them. I would definitely engage him in a conversation as to why he chose to give you that advice, because a big part of his job as a physician is to be able to seek, find, and disseminate medical information. He's clearly not fulfilling that expectation. If he doesn't know how to do an appropriate search, and/or what resources there are, a medical librarian can help him. Any university with a medical school will have trained medical librarians, and many hospitals also have libraries with medical librarians.

Doctors can't possibly know everything, but they need to have the tools to find out.

[o_mom]

That is exactly what his bites look like on his legs- his third knee!! They are MUCH bigger than golf-ball size. I know what the pps are talking about- when a mosquito bite is scratched enough the red area grows. This is NOT that. In fact, he doesn't really scratch his bites because he says it hurts to scratch them. Besides the red rashiness, as they the swelling goes down, the swelled area gets purple spots like bruising. I couldn't convince the ped that is wasn't actually bruising from him scratching so much. I never actually saw Cha Cha scratch himself. He said it hurt to touch.

Oh, and believe me, we coat him in bug spray. It's a rare occasion that he gets a bite. But sometimes the little buggers get him anyway. And Benedryl doesn't do much. It certainly doesn' reduce the swelling.

Any one else seen this and have suggestions on how to reduce the swelling/pain? Anyone?


Yes - that is what I get. Huge tender lumps that hurt to touch. They have gotten better with age, but still hurt. The brusing is just the result of the swelling. DS2 seems to have inherited it from me, but DS1 just gets the normal looking mosquito bites.

The article I posted above had several references on the use of antihistamines to prevent the reaction. They seemed to say that once the reaction occured, the antihisitimes were not as effective, that they have to be given before the bites. Zyrtec was the one studied.

I think a visit to an allergist couldn't hurt, but I really wouldn't panic just yet. In the meantime, try to keep bug spray on him outside and keep him inside during the worst times for bugs.

[amandabea]

It sounds like a a allergic reaction to the mosquito bite. When I was younger I used to have those reactions to mosquito bites. As I have gotten older I have outgrown it. I remember getting the golf ball sized bites. For me they eventually would go away but it took much longer than a regular mosquito bite.
HTH,

same experience here. My mosquito bites used to swell up to the size of at least a golf ball and they hurt if I even got close to touching them...which I didn't but the itched like crazy! My SIL was very concerned about my DN's bites, but my brother told her about my reactions so she has calmed a bit. I'd get your DS to an allergist as the pps have mentioned.

[shilo]

no advice on what it could be, but just a thought for you from when i used to round in skin clinic...

have you taken pictures? if you are going to get a second opinion, now or in the future, it would be really helpful to have this reaction documented. if you can, try to take a pic every time there is a significant change and write the date of the picture and the date of the bite/start of the swelling on each.

hope he's feeling better soon,
lori

[writermama]

I second (third, fourth, whatever) the advice to seek out a pediatric allergist. If it's as hard to get an appointment in your area as it is in mine, I recommend calling for an appointment today -- it may be a couple of months before you can acutally see the doc. (Grrr.)

I used to have terrible reaction to mosquito bites, but they've gotten better over the years and now I only occasionally get the golf-ball sized welts. I'm also apparently delicious to mosquitos -- I'll be covered in bites when no one else has any. I was chatting about this with my ped who is knowledgeable about natural remedies and she mentioned to me that eating brewer's yeast is said to make one less tasty to mosquitos. Since I like Brewer's Yeast (I buy the "buds" made by Lewis Labs and sprinkle them on yogurt, sometimes with granola), this is no problem for me to try. I haven't done a scientific trial, but it does seem to help. OTOH, I don't know if a 3yo would be willing to eat it. I think I've also heard garlic may help but again, I dont' know if that would appeal to a 3 yo's taste.

You can cut down on the mosquito population in your yard with mosquito dunks -- put them in areas on your property where mosquitos breed. I've also heard that the CO2 based mosquito-attractors are good at controlling them in yards.

Good luck and I hope your DC feels better soon.

[DrSally]

Wow, what a reaction. I thought I had strong reactions to mosquito bites. They do swell up, get hard if scratched, get purple if really, really scratched, but the swelling doesn't spread as much as it does with your DS. It is start of mosquito season here now :(
In some ways, I would want a second doctor to look at it. I wish your doc could've asked others in the practice if they've seen this before just to give you reassurance. The only thing that worked for me is not scratching, but that's so hard. Have you tried icing the spots? Baking soda bath?

ETA: I agree with pp's about taking photos and making an appt. with a ped allergist for advice.

[punkrockmama]

Aww, I'm sorry your muffin has this. I was and still am super allergic to mosquito bites. They literally swell up like softballs and get warm, red, and hard.

I agree with the pp that said something about your doc telling you to google. I'm down with doctors admitting they don't what's wrong, that's great, but then um, ASK somebody else. That's what collegues are for, right? Wow.

Sorry I have no great advice, but I just wanted to give ya chin up.

[buddyleebaby]

DD1 has reactions like this. Hydrocortizone helps to bring down the swelling quite a bit.

[DrSally]

DS got some bites on his leg and has developed a fever and swollen lymph nodes (of course I google West nile virus). Don't know if it's a coincidence, but I ran across this very detailed info on allergic reactions to mosquito bites.
http://www.drgreene.com/21_38.html

[KrisM]

It sounds like an allergy. If I get a mosquito bite in lower Michigan, the area will swell, get really hard and warm to the touch. If I'm in the UP or out east (NH, MA), the bites just itch. My guess is that there are different types mosquitoes in these different areas and I am allergic to the bites of the ones in lower Michigan. Unfortunately for me, I live in lower Michigan.

But, mine don't swell as much as what you're describing.

I agree about a pediatric allergist and photos.

[cimberdog]

As a child I had those reactions and even now, almost 40 years old, I still will swell up like that, especially if there are any bites on my face. If anything is within inches of my eye, my eye swells shut for 1-2 days and it is embarrassing, not to mention a complete annoyance!

My kids don't seem to react as badly, but they do react. A good reminder to keep Benadryl on hand at home. We've also used calamine lotion for itching and pure aloe vera gel to help healing. I actually have spots on my scalp where the hair no longer grows from such horrid reactions to mosquito bites. It's an awful itch!

[gatorsmom]

DS got some bites on his leg and has developed a fever and swollen lymph nodes (of course I google West nile virus). Don't know if it's a coincidence, but I ran across this very detailed info on allergic reactions to mosquito bites.
http://www.drgreene.com/21_38.html


Thank you so much for that link! It had a lot of good info in there.

I was laughing a bit, though, when I read that part about taking Vitabin B1 as a preventative measure against mosquito bites. I laughed because it reminded me that when I was growing up, my mother had us take Vitamin B12 daily as a preventative measure against mosquitoes and had no effect. LOL I think at the same time, she and I were taking daily gelatin caplets to make our nails strong too.

Anyway, interestingly enough, Cha Cha's bite reactions seem to be getting less pronounced. They still get HUGE and very red, but I haven't seen a fever in a few weeks and they don't get hard anymore. Although, as another poster mentioned, maybe he is having different reactions because he is being bitten by a different type of mosquito. so hard to tell.

anyway, thanks again!

[mytwoboys]

My son (4 years old) has the same thing! The pedi always worries that he has an infection and tries to get him on antibiotics too just incase, but I never give it to him and it goes away on it's own. Right now he has three bites on his left inner elbow (can't bend it at all) and another on his neck. The only thing that I found that works is meat tenderizer. When I was younger I was allergic to bee stings and the school nurse would get meat tenderizer and mix it with water to make a paste, then put it on the bite and let it sit until it dried and then wash it off. It does help a bit. Doesn't make it go away. I do see that some bites are worse than others. I was hoping that it was because he was getting older, more tolerant perhaps. This actually started when we were visiting my parents in Florida about a year ago and I ended up in the ER with him because I didn't know what was wrong and the whole left side of his face was swollen, eye swollen shut too. They gave him prednisone for the swelling and an ointment incase he scratches and it gets infected. But like your son he won't touch them and I have to bribe him to let me put anything on them. Also the benadryl doesn't help either. I too use alot of mosquito spray on him, but around the face/neck/ear areas they seem to get him more. May be because I'm so afraid of getting it in his eyes that I don't do as good of a job there?! I don't get it though. We're all outside together and he ALWAYS gets bitten multiple times and he's the only one with bug spray on!

[new_mommy25]

My DS is exactly the same way. It's just awful. I've taken him to the ped so many times for bites. :( We have found that the best for him is to use Aveeno cream and liquid benadryl.
http://tinyurl.com/4rqlc2

[Mikey0709]

Wow - and I thought i was a rare person who had this reaction all my life! And yes - there are hundreds of different BREEDS of mosquitos - - and they ALL love me. Some i will barely have a reaction to - and the bite is gone the next day.... and others swell. grow and feel like i'm BURNING UP for what feels like weeks. Anti-itch cream and benedryl are the only thing i have found to help... i'm hoping my kids don't have this reaction - but so far so good.