I think I have a spider bite ~ what do I do??

Question

The other night, I spent a few hours outside. When I woke up the next day, I had a small, puffy red welt on the middle of my front left calf. It is also itchy.

I looked closely, but don't really see a puncture wound. It IS bigger than a mosquito bite, though.

Today, it is larger in diameter and even puffier.

A friend says it looks like a spider bite.....

I live in northeast Florida, by the way.

What should I do, if anything?? I don't feel sick. I don't think I need medical attention. I put cortisone on it and that helped the itching a bit, but it still itches and is puffy, red and raised.

All info is appreciated.

Thanks!!

Answer 1

Most likely a mosquito or chigger, Keep an eye on it , stop scratching it because if you break the skin it will become infected, staph and mrsa love open wounds.

Answer 2

you probably don't need to go to the doctor unless it gets infected... because even black widow bites on the hands or feet won't kill you and since you don't feel sick it is probably something barely venomous. but if it stays red and puffy for another day and the swelling doesn't go down then it may be infected which means u should see a doctor.

Answer 3

see a doctor.......

Answer 4

I would think that a spider bite would hurt, not itch but I am not a Dr. therefore, I reccomend that if it continues to bother you or get any bigger to go see your Dr.   He is the only one who will know.....

Good Luck

Additional Info that I found after my first answer.    

www.webmd.com has a section that is called identifying bug bites.  It shows you a pic of the bite and the bug that goes along with it.

Answer 5

It sounds like a chigger bite.  It's possible that it's a spider bite but they way you describe it and your location really makes it sound a like a chigger bite.  Try putting a little clear finger nail polish over the bite and see if that helps, if it does it's a chigger bite.  Chigger and nasty little critters that live in the grass and the burrow under your skin.  The fingernail polish doesn't let them get air so they can't survive.  They're pretty common down south and if you go to your local pharmacy they should be able to direct you to stuff thats made specifically for chigger bites if you don't feel comfortable using the fingernail polish.  If it doesn't work I'd just give your doctor a call and describe the bite and see what they suggest.  

The cortisone is designed to help the itching but if it's not helping you can also try benedryl.  It might make you a little drowsy but it will help with the itchiness.  

The other thing, and this will probably be the hardest thing to do but try not to scratch.  I know that's not easy but when you scratch it you're making it worse.  Hope it feels better soon.