What the hell bit me?

Floofy

Yes, I'm going to see a doctor tomorrow, first of all.

A couple of days ago something vicious gave me a bite, pictures below. It itches and has a sort of unpleasant constant burning feeling, and my whole foot's uncomfortable to walk on. I'm in the UK, I was just wondering if anyone can help me identify what might have done this (other people have suggested spider bites but I'm not sure, I can't see any obvious puncture marks).

Warning: nasty photos.

Compared to the other happy foot:




Close up:

supabeast

Looks like a flea bite, especially given the location. I have scabs all over my ankles because I wear sandals all summer and the little fuckers just have some magic attraction to biting me right THERE.

Fantasma

There are many type of insects that can inject poison when they bite such as Ants and Spiders.

There is also an infection caused by scabies:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scabies

Shogun

The critters that cause scabies are incredibly slow moving. The OP would have been sleeping with an animal in direct contact for quite some time for that to be scabies.

Is the blotchy skin part of the bite? I'm assuming it is, but otherwise it looks like a mosquito bite. It could be just about anything and without catching the accused critter after it bit you it will be awfully hard to tell. However the fact you say it causes pain when you walk says it must be some form of venom or toxin.

ben0207

Fuck if I know but stay the hell away from me.


(looks like an ant bite to me, more than anything else.)

Dman

I was under the impression there aren't any especially poisonous creatures/insects in the UK. It looks kinda bad so I would assume either infection or an allergic reaction. Are you allergic to any insects to the best of you knowledge?

I wouldn't rush into self treatment with antihistamines though, since they temporarily diminish your immune response, which would be bad if it is infection.

Rook

Looks like a flea bite to me.

Floofy

I don't think it's flea bite- I've had those a few times before and they're never come up like this or have this reaction. I had a bit like this a couple of years ago, around the same time of year, so I'm wondering if there's any particular insects that are especially aggressive around now. Could be ants, we have a few out back. Happened in the evening if that makes any difference.

Fantasma

Some bites can cause necrosis, so have this checked asap.

bowen

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/life/insects-spiders/spiderbites/false-widow-or-cellar-spider-steatoda-grossa.html

Seems very much like spider bites we have in the US, so I'm assuming it was a spider. This one looks the closest to what you have. Maybe a different one I wasn't able to find. What kind of spiders are near where you live?

Sarcastro

Im also thinking spider bite. On the final close up you can see two discolorations on the bump, one on either side, which would be pretty classic. You wouldn't see 'punctures' per se, because the fangs are very tiny, and move aside the flesh rather than take a chunk out.

Snake bite cause puncture wounds because they dissolve flesh, doesn't look like a snake bite- usually those are whitish around the site and discolored in a ring, also snake bites... well snake bites look like bites dude. I was thinking bee sting as a possiblility, but one would think you would notice, also there seems to be two injection sites, and bees can only sting you once (though two bees I suppose could do it, but again, you would notice instantly and be all heywtf.

So my vote is for pissed off garden variety spider. Its just the right height to have walked through a grass web, and then be scrunching Mr. Spidey beween shoe, sock and pant, while leaving enough space for him to live and exact his revenge on you before getting away. The swolleness indicates an allergic reaction, so it may not have been 'poisonous' in terms of deadly, but pretty much all spiders have poison in them.

Common antihistamine (allergy med, like Reactine) would probably help the swelling go down.

bowen

Might have also been a wasp or a hornet. But you would've probably felt that.

Passerbye

Well, where were you when the bite happened, or are you not sure? Whether you were outside or inside can make a difference in determining what bit you. If you were inside, it could have been a spider, a tick, or a flea. If you were outside it could have been a bug, or even coming into contact with a plant which you are allergic to (since that looks like it could be a hive rather than a bite). Given the fact that your whole foot hurts, but the hive/bite is showing no sign of necrosis (which usually come up within the first 24 hours depending on the location and amount of venom injected) I'd say you're just mildly allergic to whatever you came into contact with.

Thylacine

It looks like a spider bite to me too. I noticed the 2 discolorations on the bump. It may be that you have an allergy to whatever bit you, but you may just be sensitive....causing a lot more irritation than something normally would, but less than a full blow allergic reaction.

JebusUD

It looks like it might be a chigger bite. The bump looks right. They get all red and white and pimply. However usually you get those in droves, rather than just one or two.

I would suggest covering it in some clear nail polish.

Darth Waiter

I've been bitten by my share of venoumous critters and I'm fairly certain that it is a spider bite, household or garden variety and you're having an allergic reaction to the venom; to be on the safe side, hit up your MD, 'cause you know, free healthcare and shit. Your doc will probably give you some topical antihistamine and some regular-old antibiotic pills to prevent any further necrosis from the venom.

Oh, and for home remedies, soak your foot in hot water with a heavy dose of epsom salts, about a handful for every two liters. If you'd like, soak both feet; it's good for athlete's foot and other types of fungal infection.

pogo mudder

Given you're in the UK i would definitely say some sort of flea or bed mite, and sometimes being hot and sweaty or even just itching midge bites can cause them to flare up in such a way. I've had very similar bites before from sleeping in my mates old bed or what have you. plus there aren't any poisonous spiders/insects (or even spiders that bite) in Britain, so that rules out it being anything serious.
unless of course some sort of tiny venomous banana spider hid in your groceries.. but you, you don't buy bananas right?

Shogun

Oh the OP is in the UK? I'll bet anything its a false widow bite.