Long story short..was in the outdoors last weekend. Felt like something bit me near my ear, slight itch/sting then nothing. also was near some tree debris in same area on face. I have a red rash on my face by my ear. It does not itch. There was no pain until 4 days into the rash, then sharp pains. No ointments have worked or benadryl. I am on day 6 and the pain/swelling is less but the rash does not appear to have changed in shape or diminished. Went to my dr. today and she thinks it is herpes. She did not offer to do culture and I did not think of asking but I find it hard to believe I could get herpes by my ear, just below temple. So if it is, sucks for me, if not..what else could this be? it is about the size of a nickel. Feels bumpy but I would not call them blisters like what I have seen online of herpes.
The doctor said that since it had been 6 days no medication would work and that I had to wait it out. She said if it came back she could give me a medication to speed up the process.
I would see a dermatologist and get a definite diagnosis. Sounds like the Dr. you saw was in a rush to see more patients. What was she thinking to say Herpes and then not test for it.
Oh, and don't be researching it on the internet of you will begin to believe you are dying! I learned to never research medical stuff online.
Go to a dermatologist!! I had a primary care doctor who insisted that a rash I had was ringworm, even though I knew it was an eczema outbreak. Because I had been diagnosed with eczema several years prior by an actual dermatologist. The PC refused to give me the steroidal ointment to treat the eczema, would only give me an anti-fungal. I just took the scrip and left, and fortunately found a dermatologist who would see me within a few days. Guess what?? Steroidal cream cleared it up in 3 days. That would not have worked if it had been ringworm.
There are all kinds of rashes that would respond to medication- fungal infections (like ringworm), bacterial infections (like impetigo), immune responses (like eczema).... Heck, it could be shingles (which is a strain of herpes).
Go to a pro. Specialists exist for a reason.
You do know that you are in charge of your medical care, right? You get to say "do a culture." Even if the doctor doesn't think it's necessary, you get to demand it, just as you get to (in most cases) decline medical tests and treatments. And if you do and the doctor still doesn't listen, you get to go to another doctor.
We aren't doctors, and even if we were, we can't see you. No doctor would diagnose you over the phone without actually seeing you. Go back and demand a culture or see another doctor.
You need another doctor. I don't know ANY doctor that would NOT do a culture of what was on your face.
What does it sound like to me? Poison Oak or Sumac. If it felt like something bit you? Then I would say you need to talk to a dermatologist - one that is willing to work with you - as spider bites will NOT work with benedryl. Sad thing is - it's too late for you to get any blood work done to find out what venom is inside you since you've already taken Benedryl AND it's been over 24 hours.
If it is STILL swollen today? Go to the emergency room or urgent care - 7 days with swelling is too much.
Tell the attending WHERE you were. What happened - YOU FELT A BITE - then "THIS" happened. Tell the attending what you have done - meds, etc.
Good luck!
Yeah, I'd be calling the doctor back, asking for clarification or at least a test for herpes if that's what she suspects.
I mean, sorry, but when she said she thinks it might be herpes how did you react? Did you just stand there and say um, okay, sounds good, see you later then?
PLEASE don't try to diagnose yourself online, go back to the doctor!!!
Go to a dermatologist.
It could possibly be herpes, but do you really want to just guess? Get that second opinion.
I've had spider bites (I garden a lot, get bit every so often) and find that I didn't have sharp pains with those, even when they were very swollen and stuck around for a while. Some itchiness which I could treat with a topical Benadryl, nothing worse.
My husband developed a staph infection on his foot after getting bit by a spider. It could well be something like that, but you won't know until a culture is done. I think I would request one.
I wouldn't have let the doctor off the hook that easily. Did the doctor give you some cream of some sort or medication? Just a diagnosis?
There are a number of herpes variations including shingles from the chicken pox. Did she explain this? If it is shingles, it is very painful. I have never had it, but have heard it is extremely painful. It affects the nervous system.
Look up shingles and see if this applies to your situation, then find another doctor who can help you and has a better bed side manner.
I recently changed doctors because one had verbal outburst as if she was puking them out...what a difference this new doctor has made. I should have made the change a looong time ago.
A friend of mine has a daughter that got bit by something and her skin about rotted off. Now that's an insect bite that's crazy!
I think if it was Herpes it would be very painful. Can you go to the dermatologist? Or a different doc?
Definitely go to a dermatologist. They specialize in skin conditions & may be able to find an answer. Good luck!!
This is a long shot but I was clearing some buck thorn bushes and I had a reaction to the sap. I got a rash on my hands and it lasted for almost 2 weeks. But it was an itchy rash. In general my skin is more sensitive and I have had a reaction to other types of plant sap. Another thought is ring-worm? Circular red area...Good-luck.
Go to a dermatologist and get a second opinion. Good luck!
Rashes, bites and skin irritations are pretty much impossible to diagnose sight unseen....and often misdiagnosed by physicians.
I suggest that you request a referral to dermatology. Anything on your face that could potentially result in scarring is serious.
if this is for real, the doctor is a wackadoodle. it *might* be herpes yet no treatment?
go see a dermatologist today.
khairete
S.
Poison Oak? Poison Oak sores are red, inflamed, and weepy, but not really blisters.
