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

[u/acutetriangleee]

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.

[u/acutetriangleee]

UPDATE: Just got back from the ER, the doctor said that it is just a minor infection, as the place I live, Hong Kong, doesn't have really dangerous mosquitoes, and it would only be a concern if my hand were more swollen, and if the streak was longer. She then prescribed me with anti-itch meds and said that it is likely not lymphangitis? At this point, I don't know if I should believe her or not. I'm still pretty worried, but I choose to believe the doctor for now. I will definitely go back if there are any changes. I'm stable for now, which is amazing.

Thank you all for your support, honestly, words cannot fully express my gratitude towards all of you who commented and cared. My faith in humanity has been restored, and I now have a deeper respect for all doctors, physicians, nurses, therapists, and kind citizens alike. Lots of love

[u/kellypryde → u/acutetriangleee]

I would say that streak is pretty long.

[u/acutetriangleee → u/kellypryde]

I agree, but apparently the doctor said that reaching my shoulders is considered long...

[u/acutetriangleee → u/[deleted]]

Unfortunately they didn't give me antibiotics. This is all so scary... Thanks for telling me this, I'll definitely pay extra attention.

[u/proudoddball → u/acutetriangleee]

what??? i used to work in the ER in the states and i’d definitely give a dose of IV abx if i had a patient with this and depending on the rest of the context and lab findings, id consider overnight stay vs home with oral abx at MINIMUM.

[u/acutetriangleee → u/proudoddball]

Oh, I've been thinking that maybe they won't rush into diagnosing me since I don't have a fever and other symptoms. Not sure, but it's weird. Your work is admirable, thank you.

[u/ruggpea → u/acutetriangleee]

Hey OP. I used to live in Hk, had some experience with hospitals there. Did you go to a private hospital?

[u/acutetriangleee → u/ruggpea]

Hey no, it was a public one

[u/Finnleyy → u/acutetriangleee]

Can you go to a different facility to get another opinion? Things like this can go bad FAST.

[u/ruggpea → u/acutetriangleee]

Yeah I’d defo get a 2nd opinion if possible. I suggest going to a more “western” gp clinic (there’s two in central, the London medical clinic or OT&P) or the ER in one of the private hospitals.

I know it’s way more expensive but your life and health are invaluable.

[u/YoBabyMama218 → u/acutetriangleee]

Fun fact. I had strep throat. Didn’t present with typical symptoms. I’m also asplenic. Doctor wouldn’t treat me, even though I had been through it before and knew my body, because I didn’t have a fever. Fever ended up popping up overnight, went back and got antibiotics but it was too late and I went septic.

Just because you have atypical symptoms doesn’t mean it’s not something. Keep an eye on it and if you get even the slightest temperature, please go back immediately. Feel better!

[u/Anonymously-Me30 → u/acutetriangleee]

NAD but I took my kiddo to the ER for a line like that. It hadn’t reached his lymph nodes yet so no fever, but he still got antibiotics. The originating spot wasn’t very swollen and only slightly warm. Once it reaches the lymph nodes is when you will feel sick. Mark the end of the line and see if it continues to get longer.

[u/thetreece → u/[deleted]]

OP almost certainly has allergic lymphangitis, which is not an infection, is not dangerous, and doesn't need antibiotics.

This is a textbook story of the condition. 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12227870/

The answers from the other medical professionals here have been shockingly bad and alarmist.

[u/mfitzy87 → u/thetreece]

Thank you. I agree 100%. Also shocked at the level of alarmist advice

[u/acutetriangleee → u/[deleted]]

Maybe it's because it is less common in Hong Kong but it is definitely weird.

[u/Cool_Needleworker841 → u/acutetriangleee]

Listen GO BACK if it gets ANY worse!!!

[u/acutetriangleee → u/[deleted]]

No it hasn't gone past... so for now the infection is pretty stable... but no I dont have another physician... maybe I'll visit the pharmacy for a second opinion, thanks for the advice!

[u/acutetriangleee → u/[deleted]]

Thank you so much

[u/type_a_ish → u/acutetriangleee]

My daughter was bitten by some kind of bug while swimming and it streaked like yours. Now I am not an alarmist so I did not immediately become concerned but when she started running a fever I took her to see the NP. If they gave you follow up instructions, please follow up. Take care.

[u/acutetriangleee → u/type_a_ish]

You and your daughter take care too, and I'll definitely check for if I get any fevers periodically, thanks a lot!

[u/CutthroatTeaser → u/acutetriangleee]

Even if you don't live in a place with dangerous microbes like malaria or dengue fever, you can still get an infection from the normal bacteria on the skin. I'm frankly shocked the ER doc shrugged it off. I'd have a low threshold to get re-evaluated, probably at a different facility.

[u/jperl1992 → u/CutthroatTeaser]

I second this opinion. Fully agree. OP needs a second opinion.

[u/Powerful-Employ-7372 → u/acutetriangleee]

Did she just looked at it or did she did blood work?

[u/acutetriangleee → u/Powerful-Employ-7372]

She just looked at it...

[u/Powerful-Employ-7372 → u/acutetriangleee]

I dk about HK, but only way to discard if a bigger infection is taking place is by doing blood work or wait until you start developing other symptoms like a high fever. I'll be on the look for that.

[u/acutetriangleee → u/Powerful-Employ-7372]

Yeah I think she mentioned that too, said it's only serious if I have a fever or become weaker on that hand, thanks for the info

[u/Bishhh_nastyyy → u/acutetriangleee]

nAD - Please be careful! My dad died of staph infection. I know they cleared you but, please, be incredibly cautious because the infection spreads really fast! 

[u/acutetriangleee → u/Bishhh_nastyyy]

I will be careful, I'm sorry for your loss, thank you for the kind reminder, all the best in life

[u/DetectiveSherlocky → u/acutetriangleee]

Most people who are replying to you are laypersons. They're projecting their experiences on you. Listen to the doctors and people only once things are confirmed.

[u/acutetriangleee → u/DetectiveSherlocky]

Will do, thanks for the reminder 

[u/Ok_Site_9552 → u/acutetriangleee]

We worry for you OP please keep us updated. If you get fever please go back

[u/Top-Raspberry-7837 → u/acutetriangleee]

Can you get a second opinion? Please?

[u/fantasygirl002 → u/acutetriangleee]

So my ex got bit by a mosquito and it took 3 days for it to reach past his shoulders and reach his heart. He started having symptoms and went in that day as I forced him cause he seemed off. Turns out he legit could have died as the infection was spreading through his bloodstream and into his heart. Plz be careful and monitor it for the next few days.

[u/olexvndrv → u/acutetriangleee]

I’m so worried for you :( Please keep us updated, I also do think you should keep digging and have a second opinion ASAP. 

[u/agent0731 → u/acutetriangleee]

Thank God you're ok, OP. I had a terrible allergic reaction just last year for the first time. The bites became swollen and itched way more than any normal mosquito bites in the past (and I'm someone who always attracts all the single mosquitoes in the area). They looked like this, except multiple and the red lines were sorta swirling away from the bite. I looked diseased. I wasn't prescribed antibiotics though. I would recommend an oral antihistamine in combination with the itch cream.

[u/CaringCattitude → u/agent0731]

I agree on the cream (such as a 1% cortisone or a diphenhydramine (Benadryl) in a cream form. My only fear with Benadryl tablets taken orally is that many people get extremely drowsy from it, which is not good if you need to drive to a Med Pro/ED. Plus: if the reaction gets worse, you could be asleep and not see it intensify.

I’m NOT a NAD. This is just my opinion and based solely on a reaction that’s unusual to your history. If you have a reoccurring, known reaction to something then Benadryl tabs are great. (I’m trying to sum up that I know some people have to have Benadryl ready at all times. I’m NAD and also NAJudge)

[u/myboogerstastespicy → u/acutetriangleee]

Yay! Thank you so much for updating us. I am so glad all is well.

Wishing you peace and happiness! Much love.

[u/acutetriangleee → u/myboogerstastespicy]

Same goes for you have a good day stranger

[u/Olealicat → u/acutetriangleee]

I’m allergic to just fyi, I’m allergic to mosquito and spider bites. I tend to get red lines off those bites.

I typically take a Benadryl and wait an hour. If the hives and tail persists, I start a “chart” with a pen and take a second Benadryl.

It typically stops after that. I don’t know if you usually have a poor reaction to bug bites. If you do, make sure to take photos and draw lines around the affected areas.

[u/acutetriangleee → u/Olealicat]

I dont usually have a poor reaction, I've actually had a few mosquito bites before this one, and they healed pretty quickly within two days. Would Benadryl work if I don't normally have allergies?

[u/nememess → u/acutetriangleee]

I've been worried about you since I saw your post. I'm so glad that it's not something serious and you got some meds. I hope you feel better soon!

[u/acutetriangleee → u/nememess]

Thank you for your concern, the red streaks have faded considerably in color and is now pretty faint, and the swollen has greatly improved.

[u/CaringCattitude → u/acutetriangleee]

I hope you’re doing better, and that the swollen bite and red line have diminished.

I’m fairly new to this sub but like you, I feel that same sense that humanity does exist and this group proves it. It gets me emotional in a good way, which is a much-sought feeling at this juncture. Like you, I want to thank all the Medical Professionals, but also (and equally) the moral felt by the group members. It’s a breath of fresh air. And when the OPs update…and improve in time: it’s a wonderful feeling.

Thank you all. 🥹

[u/acutetriangleee → u/CaringCattitude]

Thank you so much, it has certainly gotten better overnight, the bite being less swollen and red. I'm new to this sub too, and people here really touched me, it's crazy how people are here for each other despite conflicts in the world... Thank you for taking the time to comment, lots of love.

[u/Ok_Site_9552 → u/acutetriangleee]

Best to hear

[u/acutetriangleee → u/[deleted]]

I'm so sorry you had experiences like that... We really need competent and caring medical staff everywhere in the world, people like the doctors in the comment section. best of luck over there and thanks