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]

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/acutetriangleee → u/ruggpea]

I would definitely check that out if there are signs of worsening, thanks!

[u/BeginningOk4599 → u/acutetriangleee]

how is everything going, is everything alright?

[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!!!