# Bug bite (or sting) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 14, 2015, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bug-bite-or-sting/725104 "2015-07-14T02:32:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bug-bite-or-sting/725104/1 "2015-07-14T02:32:24Z")
Yesterday I was pulling virginia creeper vines down from my house and I was stung (or bitten) by something, probably sent by **Skald the Rhymer**. Tonight, about 26 hours after the sting, there’s a red, itchy, swollen spot about 8" in diameter. Now this probably isn’t life threatening, no anaphylaxis, but it’s annoying. I’ve put calamine/benedryl lotion on it but the swelling keeps getting bigger. I don’t need more around my middle! What can I do to make it go away? StG ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bug-bite-or-sting/725104/2 "2015-07-14T03:08:00Z")
I’d go to the doctor. When I got bit by a black widow the swelling kept getting bigger and then started moving up my arm. By day three I had red streaks running up my arm. My doctor yelled at me for waiting three days. He gave me some pills and I was better in a few days. I’d not play around with it. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bug-bite-or-sting/725104/3 "2015-07-14T04:45:32Z")
I’d get to the hospital ASAP. Might be a Brown Recluse bite. They’re no fun, either. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bug-bite-or-sting/725104/4 "2015-07-14T05:08:43Z")
> [@](#): > > Tonight, about 26 hours after the sting, there’s a red, itchy, swollen spot about 8" in diameter. 8 inches? And you’re asking if you should seek medical attention? Seriously? ---
**Author:** ![Why\_Child](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b782af/32.png) [@Why\_Child](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_Child)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bug-bite-or-sting/725104/5 "2015-07-14T05:28:57Z")
Red, itchy, swollen,\*\*\* 8"\*\*\* in diameter?! Go see a doctor. If for some reason you refuse a doctor… warm wet compresses. Actually, I mean _ **hot,** _ wet compresses. As hot as you can stand without burning your skin. Heat and repeat. It’ll either kill the infection (or bring it to a head to express it,) **OR** make it swell enough to let you know you **DO** need a doctor. At the first tingle of a cold sore, hot wet washcloth, hot as you can stand, will kill the infection. A sty in your eye, wet heat will bring it to a head which you can pop and another round of heat (or two) takes the swelling down enough so it won’t come back. When I was a child, I had an ear infection, and my mother heated a rounded river rock in water on the stove (slowly…rocks can explode,) wrapped it in a wet washcloth and had me hold it to my ear. It hurt, then _hurt,_ then _ **hurt,** _ then it drained (without breaking my eardrum,) and then it was better. When I had a pea-sized lymph node infection on my upper thigh-groin area, I took a hot shower, and by the time I got out, it was the size of an egg, cut in half lengthwise. **Time to go to the doctor.** 8" in diameter? I’d go to the doctor. Stubborn? Try hot wet washcloth. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bug-bite-or-sting/725104/6 "2015-07-14T11:57:10Z")
WebMD said normal swelling can get quite big, though. I don’t think it’s an infection, just inflammation. StG ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bug-bite-or-sting/725104/7 "2015-07-14T13:42:35Z")
I’d at least go to an urgent care center to have an actual medical professional look at it. 8" is a good size, and if it’s still growing, your body isn’t happy. Mark the edges of the sting/bite as it is right now; if it gets bigger, you’ll see right away. The medical professional will probably suggest antihistamines, and maybe steroids or anti-inflammatories, depending on what they think it is.