I was out playing with the kids in the yard the other day - husband was gardening and I checked his tomatoes and peppers. Woke up the next morning with this. It's just gotten bigger. Can anyone identify? Maybe a spider bit me? We're in North GA USA.

It is hard to tell from the picture. A spider bite will have two tiny puncture wounds, whereas other bugs generally only leave one. Definitely looks uncomfortable. Draw a line around it with a Sharpie now, and if it gets red or swollen beyond that line, go to urgent care right away. If you can, take some Benadryl type stuff to help relieve any itching or pain.

It's hard to tell if there are fangs because there is a large blister. The blister has definitely gotten bigger, both width and height. Guess it's time for urgent care!

Thank you for your reply!

It is more concerning if your skin turns red and inflamed around the blister, I think. That's why they say to draw a circle around it with the Sharpie. This is what my DD, the school nurse, does when kiddos come to her office with bites. She then calls their folks and asks them to take them to urgent care if it keeps getting bigger.

Ooohhhh I understand!! Will do! Thanks!

I don't think anyone on this site is qualified to give medical advice.

Lucy, what would you suggest? Be sure not to give any medical advice.

LOL! I think we're OK here, Lucy. It's just a bug bite, no one is giving advice on brain surgery...

WAMcCormick said: Lucy, what would you suggest? Be sure not to give any medical advice.

You're basing your whole diagnosis off a photo. I would have suggested the Dr.s office because he/she can give medical advice and would be seeing it in person. Also he/she has a license to do it. I don't.

I have a gardening problem. Should I call my doctor?

"It's just a bug bite, no one is giving advice on brain surgery..." Seriously? I've never seen a brown recluse bite. I'd hate to be the person who told that bite victim to draw a circle around it and take Benadryl.

I'm with Lucy—the answer to medical questions on a gardening site should be "see a doctor."

Ok people, I have been to the doctor. Let's all go back to what we were doing.

For those of you who were helpful, thank you. Warm welcome to the site.

Welcome to the site, Gina.

What did the doctor say? Nothing scary, I hope.

Nothing too scary. He didn't know what bit me. He prescribed antibiotics and steroids. He thought it was infected.

So let's hope it clears up and I'll wear heavier boots near our vegetable garden!!

Gina, glad you stuck with us!
And that the bite hasn't turned serious.
Random bites are part of gardening.

Gina, do keep us posted. Infection was what I was worried about, which was why I said what I said. And I stand by it, because, for the record, I HAVE seen a brown recluse spider bite. I can understand why some of you would hate to be me, because I am, after all, older than dirt.

It sure didn't strike me that you were here on a gardening site looking for medical advice, either. Reassurance, perhaps, and community, certainly. That was all I intended to offer.

hawkeye_daddy said: Infection was what I was worried about

Then you should have said go see a Dr. too. The Dr. must have felt it was serious enough for antibiotics and steroids. I don't hate you but I think your advice was maybe well intentioned but not appropriate for the situation or for a gardening website.

I stand by my advice as well.

Thank you very much!! My husband and I recently purchased several acres and finished building a new house. So we've planted a lot this year - flowers, various trees and now a vegetable garden. And yes it seems random bites are going to be part of this!! This is the first "big" one so to speak. I can thank the tomato plants for this one!

It's no better today but it's early so we will see.

My summer fun is at least one Black Widow bite and one stubbed toe every summer. But when you live in the country, you can't be too careful. Lots of bad bacteria and biting bugs lurking. A friend got blood poisoning after bumping his arm on his gate.

hawkeye_daddy said:

It sure didn't strike me that you were here on a gardening site looking for medical advice, either. Reassurance, perhaps, and community, certainly. That was all I intended to offer.

I am with you, hawkeye.
I asked my boss once "Why do people ask questions on garden chat forums that they can just google for answers to?" She said to me 'This is sort of social media, right? People chat with each other? Could it be, hmm, that they turn to a social media site, for the social aspect?" (read, rassurance and community).

I am sure everyone who commented here did so with the best of intentions, so let's all channel that and hope/pray/wish Gina a speedy recovery:) Communal good wishes are a powerful force, after all.