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Sjogrens Topics => Living With Sjogren's => Topic started by: jaygee on May 16, 2009, 04:26:35 PM

Title: Insect bite allergy
Post by: jaygee on May 16, 2009, 04:26:35 PM
Hi

Does anyone have bad reactions to insect bites?  Ever since I was a small child, I have always reacted badly.  If I get bitten, I get a marble size and shape blister, huge swelling, and usually need to get a jab. 

It seems spooky to me that plaquenil is an anti-malaria formula, and I wondered if this allergy is any coincedence?
Title: Re: Insect bite allergy
Post by: jonnell on May 16, 2009, 04:35:12 PM
My 4 year old who has sjs had a bad reaction to a bee sting last summer.  She actually had hallucinations and  hives.   When ever she gets bit by a mosquito it swells up like a quarter and the area gets hot and swollen.  I dont know about the Plaquinil she just started that.   
Title: Re: Insect bite allergy
Post by: Patze on May 16, 2009, 06:05:55 PM
Hi Jaygee,

I'm with little Janna on this one, I swell terribly, and it doesn't matter what bites, I get the same reaction.  A mosquito bite usually swells (and itches wildly) to about a silver dollar size.  A bee sting usually lands me in the ER these days, whatever limb is stung will swell to the point that the skin starts to split, get infected, and I don't want to go that route again if I can help it.

You have an interesting point, and hopefully a fellow member or two can shed some light on any possible connection.

Take care -

Patze
Title: Re: Insect bite allergy
Post by: Issey on May 17, 2009, 03:25:47 PM
Me too with this one - if I get bitten by the gad fly my whole arm swells up and it itches for weeks no matter what I put on it:( Never had a bee/wasp sting would probably go into shock:(

Issey
Title: Re: Insect bite allergy
Post by: lindar on May 17, 2009, 04:40:14 PM
Yes, I have terrible swelling with any insect bite.  I have had this for years though.  Before my dx of sjs.  I have had to go to the doctor they were so bad.  I felt silly going to my gp for a "horse fly bite" but they always got so swollen and terribly itchy.  I would be miserable for days.
I thought my allergy to weeds etc might be related.  I think my system over reacts to all kinds of allergens. 
Title: Re: Insect bite allergy
Post by: Patze on May 18, 2009, 03:55:25 AM
Hi Lindar,

I don't have any other allergies, just a few sensitivities - go figure.


Patze
Title: Re: Insect bite allergy
Post by: dbab on May 18, 2009, 07:30:47 AM
I'm not sure if I have allergies to insects but I get very bad reactions to mosquito or ant bites.  I'll have to experiment with Benadryl next time I get bit and see if it helps me.  The site where I'm bitten will usually swell up very badly and I even have had nerve problems with ant bites.
Title: Re: Insect bite allergy
Post by: Joe S. on May 18, 2009, 07:43:36 AM
As long as I can remember I have gotten huge quarter size bumps from mosquito bites.