Insect Sting?

[M.D. Holloway]

Last night my Daughter asked me to take a look at a bump on the back of her leg - behind her knee. It is sensitive to the touch, feels firm. There is no inflammation around it but I did notice what looked like a puncture. I thought if it was a spider bite there would be two punctures. I'm thinking more like a wasp or be sting.

I asked to see it today and she said that it doesn't hurt unless you touch it. Its still swollen but no redness and the bump is somewhat hard. The puncture hole is still there - I squeeze it slightly and a little fluid came out, looked like a combo of blister fluid and blood.

She shows no signs like fever or dizziness and there is no redness around it. But it is still swollen and a bit hard. Any ideas?

[BeeMaster]

Sounds like it could be from a wasp but I would think she would have felt it sting her.
It is hard to say what it really is from though. Sorry don't know anything about
Spiders so I can't comment about them .

[stomachmonkey]

Behind the knee is kinda low for a flying pest.

Most likely suspect is a Fire Ant.

Related to wasps, they don't bite, they grab hold with their pincers then sting.

You don't always feel it till later.

[M.D. Holloway]

The lump is about the size of a quarter...with a puncture hole in the center. No discoloration which has me puzzled. If it was me I would squeeze the fluid out and wash it off but she's not down with that idea. Like I said when I squeezed it some fluid came out.

I get bit all the time by fire ants. They hurt. She never felt it. She only noticed it taken a shower.

[M.D. Holloway]

Or maybe it's not a sting? Wonder if a rose bush thorn or a mesquite thorn would do that? She said she didn't think she got stuck but who knows.

[FrankyV]

I have gotten three mystery bites this year that fit your description all on my hips or butt. Did not feel them when they happened but itch like hell for a week and the puncture leaves a scar. Don't live in a nudist camp so puzzled about how these things are getting in my shorts.

[peppy]

I bet wasp sting, should start itching like crazy today or tomorrow.

I picked a wasp nest from a basement window when I was young. I'm a bit sensitive to their sting now.

[stomachmonkey]

Scorpion?

[Jolly Amaranto]

Could be Chiggers.

[recycled sixtie]

If it was a wasp she would likely know when it happened. I understand that with global warming that where you live you now get critters from warmer climates so I think a person has to have an open mind what gets you.

For instance mosquito bites can be harmless but now there is a greater chance
of west nile virus from these bites. If in doubt I would take her to the doctor.
Guy.

[M.D. Holloway]

Chigger bites present different, Scorpion sting would be inflamed (I think) and hurt like a mofo upon incident. The hardened bump is what is puzzling me. I'm thinking wasp but the fact she didn't feel it is strange...

[Tobra]

sounds like a spider bite to me, don't go trying to "squeeze the poison out"

try a warm moist compress on it

[M.D. Holloway]

only one puncture wound though...don't spiders do 2?

[slodave]

Slap it when she's not paying attention...

[HHI944]

I'm with Tobra, had a very similar bit earlier this year from a spider. Warm compress with lavender oil 2 nights in a row and it was gone....bled all over the pillow the first night.

[M.D. Holloway]

Hmmm...still not buying it. Spiders have fangs - there is only one puncture. I'm still thinking wasp...

[gamin]

Tick maybe? Every tick bite I've ever had left a hard bump. And they itched. Look out for a red ring or rash if it is a tick bite. If you get that take her for a blood test. Ticks carry nasty diseases.

[Tobra]

Even if there are two puncture wounds, you won't necessarily see both. The description matches a spider bite pretty well.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

If it was a wasp she would likely know when it happened. I understand that with global warming that where you live you now get critters from warmer climates so I think a person has to have an open mind what gets you.

For instance mosquito bites can be harmless but now there is a greater chance
of west nile virus from these bites. If in doubt I would take her to the doctor.
Guy.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by gamin

Tick maybe? Every tick bite I've ever had left a hard bump. And they itched. Look out for a red ring or rash if it is a tick bite. If you get that take her for a blood test. Ticks carry nasty diseases.

You're not kidding. I pulled a tick out of my knee two years ago and this is what happened. I ended up at UCLA for a day and spent six weeks on high-dose antibiotics.

If she develops dermatitis, get her to the doctor.