I think I've been bitten

[moobu2]

by a spider or something.

I was helping a friend move some bricks that used to be his patio so he could build a deck and my pinky finger got very sore the following days. I just thought I injured it without remembering it or something. Well, it's getting more and more sore and I just noticed a tiny red spot in the middle of a penny size puffy pink area. The tiny red spot and pink, slightly swollen area, isn't sore at all though my knuckle and pinky finger joint feels like I punched a brick wall. It's affecting my joints and bone. It's my favorite hand too.

[Chan790]

1. Where in the US?

I ask because brick piles are a favorite of recluse spiders and that sounds like a bite. If it gets infected looking, pusy or starts to develop a brown or black spot (which could be tissue-death) make a call to your doctor. It doesn't require an ER visit or anything but they'll probably cut it out in the office and put in a stitch...they tend to not heal otherwise.

[moobu2]

3. I'm on the gulf coast in Alabama

[Chan790]

4. Yeah, I'd call the doctor...

at least ask them if they think you should get it looked at. More likely, I suspect they'll just call in a script for anti-inflammatory meds and ask you to call if it doesn't go down in a few days or develops new symptoms.

Alabama has recluse spiders but it's probably too cold for them to be active...they tend to move indoors or "hibernate" (or die) after the 1st frost.

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. Not at all cold down here yet.

temps still in mid 80's.

[moobu2]

7. Yep, It's 85 degrees here today.

[Laffy Kat]

2. Go to doc today.

It sounds like an infection that needs looking at ASAP.

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. See if you can get it checked out today, cause the weekend is comming

and if it gets worse, it will be more expensive to have an ER doc check it out.

[2naSalit]

8. Make a paste

of baking soda and water. I have discovered that if you have clay powder, adding some to the paste will help it stay in place much longer. The soda will counter the acid in the venom and help draw it out too. Sometimes fresh garlic slice on the bite helps.