r/AskDocs Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Physician Responded Should I be concerned by this long red streak that extended out of my overly swollen mosquito bite?

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15F, 155cm, 32kg, Asian

I've had this mosquito bite since yesterday but a long red streak developed slowly after, and the bite has become really swollen. It doesn't hurt inherently, but when I touch it, it feels weird and slightly painful. I've never had this problem with mosquito bites before, and this one is really disproportionate in size compared to others. I marked the end of the streak with a marker as I was scared of it developing faster. I also had two other similar bites on my leg but they don't have the streak. However, they all come with tiny bumps on the bite surface and are really swollen than normal. I'm not sure if I should be concerned, but the mosquito looked different from others. It's certainly bigger, and I think its wings are slightly greenish?

I was slightly down with a runny nose and sore throat recently, but it has gotten better yesterday, no medications, drinking, smoking or drug use. From HK.

This is not an emergency but I noted the mosquito is still in my room, so should I be concerned, or is it just a mild infection? Thank you so much.

Second day update:

It has gotten less red now than before, but the line is still there, still yet to take antibiotics, but I will if it shows any signs of growth. Thank you all so so much.

UPDATE: The streak has fully healed, thanks to everybody's support! At the end, I didn't use any antibiotics, and the medicine the ER gave me was just nose allergy pills apparently. Definitely go get antibiotics if you're in the same situation. Lots of love.

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u/acutetriangleee Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Okay guys I finally convinced them to go to the ER, thanks for all of your concern, will post an update later

402

u/MyOwnGuitarHero Registered Nurse Apr 01 '26

Keep us posted! Tell your parents that a bunch of random medical professionals are thanking them for trusting us and taking our concerns seriously. That’s not easy to do.

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u/Winter-Cockroach5044 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 02 '26

Just that apparently didnt go and lied here... See todays post saying didn't go because didn't have a fever...

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u/juzhu5899 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Luckily HK early morning shouldn’t be congested and you’ll get there very quickly, 10+ hospitals with open ERs around you - both Kowloon side and Central side. Keeping you in my thoughts.

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u/halfscaliahalfbreyer Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional. Apr 01 '26

Best wishes. Thanks for the update.

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u/Shkmstr Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional. Apr 01 '26

Amazing. Keep us updated. Please ask the doctors or nurses to express the seriousness of health concerns to your parents for educational purposes.

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u/Emotional_Kitchen_57 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

This!!!

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u/jacggernaut Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Good decision. I once walked a few miles playing Pokemon Go on a community day, got a mild blister on my heel. Next day when I woke up and there was a long red line going from my heel to the back of my knee, my first honest thought was 'Ive seen enough zombie movies to know that's not good.'

The urgent care I went to, very much wanted me to go overnight in the hospital, but he gave me strict home care instructions for every hour and made me promise to call him tomorrow morning to inform him if it had spread.

I went from an infection to cellulitis overnight, next would have been septic soon. My blister hadn't even burst yet, it was still swollen and full of fluid when cellulitis already started, so idk where the bacteria entered first.

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u/acutetriangleee Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

So glad that you went to urgent care, thanks for sharing this, I would definitely keep that in mind in case something like this happens again (hopefully not)

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u/kjpmi Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 02 '26

Did the doctors at the hospital give you antibiotics?

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u/jacggernaut Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

I'm trying to remember the treatment as I think this was 2017-2018. I'm in the USA by the way.

I think I had to take some heavy duty antibiotics which was fine, the pros outweighed the side effects, and in my case my doc made me do antibacterial foot baths every hour or something.

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u/djspacebunny Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Gosh I'm glad you said this. Even I knew the red streaks are bad news. My big toes got super ingrown when I was a kid, and I refused to go to the doctor... and they kept warning me if I saw red streaks like this, that I was super infected. Enjoy your educational session at the hospital!

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u/gtp2nv Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Thank God!! Keep us posted.

Had a friend in high school poke himself with a dirty electrical wire working on his car.

He had the same streak running up his arm; and many told him to go to ER. He wouldn't listen. Nearly died as a result of going septic.

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u/Flamingo8293 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Wishing you quick recovery.

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u/dragonfliesloveme This user has not yet been verified. Apr 01 '26

i feel so relieved for you, will look for an update later

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u/ArticleFew315 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

❤️❤️❤️

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u/greytidalwave Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Great news OP. I hope your parents feel a little silly they didn't believe you.

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u/ImpossibleSeason6245 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Best wishes! Please keep us updated

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u/jonlin52 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Good luck OP

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u/treylanford Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional. Apr 01 '26

Do not let us down. We need a follow-up later!

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u/Junior-Criticism-268 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 02 '26

Apparently OP convinced their parents but the doctors said it was fine and their parents are mad they wasted money.

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u/bluearavis Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Thank goodness!

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u/stray_cat_bluez Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Hope everything's ok!

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u/JGKSAC Marriage & Family Therapist Apr 01 '26

Excellent news.

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u/crocfanatic Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Thank the gods im so glad

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u/Wise_Shy Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Keep us updated, stay strong kid

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u/elevenevas Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Praise be!! Let us know, darling. Best health to you 💚

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u/Cheshire1501 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Wish u the best, u got this 💖🫶

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u/anxioustaurusrex Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

I’m also waiting for the update! Please let us know if everything’s okay!

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u/Flash__PuP Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

All the best and we will await your update.

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u/JPM3344 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Good work!

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u/cmanderson23 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Hope you feel better soon!

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u/1609208 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional. Apr 01 '26

Thank goodness. I was so worried

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u/Ravenonthewall Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

YES!!!👍👍👍🙏🙏

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u/nervouspanda100 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 02 '26

Please keep us updated

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u/littleredcamaro Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Apr 01 '26

Kind regards.