Insect bite allergy

[jaygee]

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?

[jonnell]

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.   

[Patze]

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

[Issey]

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

[lindar]

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. 

[Patze]

Hi Lindar,

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


Patze

[dbab]

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.

[Joe S.]

As long as I can remember I have gotten huge quarter size bumps from mosquito bites.