# Should I go to the doctors? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 17, 2012, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483 "2012-07-17T03:31:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/21 "2012-07-17T22:14:45Z")
I am helpless with laughter at the idea of punching your own arm until it goes numb. It’s a remedy from Bizarro-world! ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/22 "2012-07-17T22:35:38Z")
> [@mozchron](#): > > I’m an entomologist who works on mosquito genetics. Please tell me that you’re working on a way to completely exterminate them. Preferably if it involves a lot of suffering on their part, but I’ll take extermination any way I can get it. Mosquitoes LOVE the way I taste. Or possibly the way I smell. People invite me to their evening outdoor parties, not because they enjoy my company, but because they know that nobody else will get a bite. OK, the last bit is false. But mosquitoes really do love to bite me. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/23 "2012-07-17T22:39:07Z")
> [@August\_West](#): > > I am helpless with laughter at the idea of punching your own arm until it goes numb. It’s a remedy from Bizarro-world! Actually, when a healing tattoo is itchy, but you wanna avoid scratching the tissue, a few slaps will help. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/24 "2012-07-17T22:47:16Z")
Yah, I got the giggles thinking what I would think if I happened across some guy at work, sitting at his desk and punching himself. Dude, take an oral antihistamine to stop the itching, an allergic bug bite reaction is basically a single hive - Benadryl is shorter acting, but Zyrtec and Claritin are for hives, too, and those will last all day with less drowsy issues. Put some anti-itch cream on top, and it should be better in a couple days. That is NOT ringworm. Put the lime in the coconut and don’t bother in the morning… ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/25 "2012-07-17T23:04:20Z")
You know how you’re supposed to urinate on jellyfish stings to counteract the venom? I am not a doctor, but I see no reason why the same principle wouldn’t apply here. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/26 "2012-07-18T00:15:48Z")
> [@mozchron](#): > > I’m an entomologist who works on mosquito genetics. Yes, but why do you “feed sometimes up to 1000+ mosquitoes on my arm as part of my work”? How many bites is that? ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/27 "2012-07-18T00:45:44Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Yes, but why do you “feed sometimes up to 1000+ mosquitoes on my arm as part of my work”? How many bites is that? Mosquitoes need blood to reproduce. Usually, the mosquito colonies are maintained on animal blood given thrugh a membrane feeder. Sometimes we use a live animal (mouse). However, certain experiments require that they be fed on human blood (for reasons that I won’t get into). Human blood can be given by membrane feeder, but it can be more conveinient sometimes to just role up the sleeve. Will also do this if we don’t have blood available for colony feeds. We have Official protocols filed for all types of feeding regimes. Not every mosquito feeds, but its probably 500-700 bites (guestimate). Lynn, we are trying to eliminate mosquitoes or alter their ability to transmit pathogens. Also a bit of basic biology thrown in. ---
**Author:** ![Tamex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Tamex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamex)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/28 "2012-07-18T00:56:48Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > You know how you’re supposed to urinate on jellyfish stings to counteract the venom? I am not a doctor, but I see no reason why the same principle wouldn’t apply here. Might work. My husband’s family swears by “After Bite”, which turns out to be small vials of household ammonia. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/29 "2012-07-18T01:29:13Z")
> [@mozchron](#): > > Mosquitoes need blood to reproduce. Usually, the mosquito colonies are maintained on animal blood given thrugh a membrane feeder. Sometimes we use a live animal (mouse). > > However, certain experiments require that they be fed on human blood (for reasons that I won’t get into). Human blood can be given by membrane feeder, but it can be more conveinient sometimes to just role up the sleeve. > > Will also do this if we don’t have blood available for colony feeds. > > We have Official protocols filed for all types of feeding regimes. > > Not every mosquito feeds, but its probably 500-700 bites (guestimate). > > Lynn, we are trying to eliminate mosquitoes or alter their ability to transmit pathogens. Also a bit of basic biology thrown in. Are you saying that you have gotten 500 - 700 bites on your arm in a session? Is your arm one big red lumpy appendage afterward? Have you ever taken any photos of it? I have 3 budding young entomologist nephews here with me who are dying to see. ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/30 "2012-07-18T01:42:47Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Are you saying that you have gotten 500 - 700 bites on your arm in a session? Is your arm one big red lumpy appendage afterward? Have you ever taken any photos of it? I have 3 budding young entomologist nephews here with me who are dying to see. Split across both arms (a couple hundred per arm). yes, the whole arm is red afterward. However, your body begins to tolerate it and the reaction isn’t that bad. Was worst the first few times I did it as a student. Made my arm swell up twice its size. Now, not so much. No pics, sorry - never occured to me to take any. Maybe i’ll take some next fime. ---
**Author:** ![orderfire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orderfire/32/10908_2.png) [@orderfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orderfire)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/31 "2012-07-18T02:15:04Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Yes, but why do you “feed sometimes up to 1000+ mosquitoes on my arm as part of my work”? How many bites is that? Don’t you guys remember that commercial for Deep Woods OFF where that guy puts his arm into the special sleeve, thousand mosquito-bite terrarium, just to show how effective Deep Woods OFF was? Ugh, I can feel it itching just thinking about it. But I am definitely not punching myself for relief. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/32 "2012-07-18T03:28:02Z")
> [@mozchron](#): > > We have Official protocols filed for all types of feeding regimes. > > Not every mosquito feeds, but its probably 500-700 bites (guestimate). > > Lynn, we are trying to eliminate mosquitoes or alter their ability to transmit pathogens. Also a bit of basic biology thrown in. Specific Pathogen Free Mosquitos? ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/33 "2012-07-18T04:14:39Z")
We haven’t heard from the OP now for almost 24 hours – I’ll bet he’s dead. I am still trying to bleach my brain of the image of feeding a thousand mosquitoes - deliberately! - from your own arm. Jesus I don’t think I’ve got the balls to do that. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/34 "2012-07-18T07:44:04Z")
That’s odd, I thought mosquitoes only needed blood to reproduce. Both males and females can survive off nectar. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/35 "2012-07-18T07:49:31Z")
Whoops sorry, that’s what you said. Didn’t see that. ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/36 "2012-07-18T11:35:30Z")
Ok so my second mother (supervisor at work) saw my arm and insisted I get it looked at. I went to the walk-in center by my job. The doc there looked and said it may be a tick bite and has started me on antibiotics and in 6 weeks I’m having blood work done. There is a puncture hole in the center. She did assure me it’s not lupus (It’s never lupus) ---
**Author:** ![tapu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@tapu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapu)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/37 "2012-07-18T11:47:10Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Well I _am_ a doctor and in my medical opinion I say you have a deadly case of lupus. You have three months to live. Make the most of it. Well I’m two doctors (and often more). Skin disturbances of unclear source should be seen by a doctor because there are very serious disorders that can be indicated by such. Looking at your welt, my first thought was ringworm. That’s not so much a professional opinion as it is from my childhood experiences of seeing ringworm all over kids, even their scalps. Just pop into a clinic. What could it hurt? ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/38 "2012-07-18T11:48:32Z")
> [@MannyL](#): > > Ok so my second mother (supervisor at work) saw my arm and insisted I get it looked at. I went to the walk-in center by my job. The doc there looked and said it may be a tick bite and has started me on antibiotics and in 6 weeks I’m having blood work done. There is a puncture hole in the center. > > She did assure me it’s not lupus (It’s never lupus) Possible but doubtful. In my experience, its very difficult to identify what bit you from the appearance of the welt. When ticks bite, they don’t feed like mosquitoes. They actually cement themselves in and stay for the long haul - you likely would have seen it greedily feeding in the middle of the welt. An adult tick can stay embedded for a couple of days. Now, it could have been a tick larva or nymph (the immature stages), and perhaps in your initial scratching you scratched it off. But again I doubt it, they are evolved to prevent that from happening. Its easier for your doc to just give the antibiotics as a preventative measure. Here where I live Lyme disease is a big issue - if you present with tick bite they remove the tick and prescribe 50 cents worth of doxycycline to kill the Borrellia. They don’t even test for Lyme. ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/39 "2012-07-18T11:55:50Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Specific Pathogen Free Mosquitos? As one of our research aims, yes. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483/40 "2012-07-18T12:02:49Z")
> [@mozchron](#): > > As one of our research aims, yes. No, I meant the ones feeding on you. No concern for spread of disease? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-go-to-the-doctors/628483.md?page=3)