So I've got a strange growth on the inside of my thigh

[CyberB0b]

This showed up about a week ago. It was really painful to the touch, so I figure it was a spider bite or something. There was also a huge red spot bigger than my fist that surrounded it. Now, it is still tender, but doesn't seem to be going away. Should I just go straight to a dermatologist? I know there are some doctors on board.

 

[Tabascocat]

Looks like a brown recluse bite. Had one of those once, very painful

 

[CyberB0b]

Looks like a brown recluse bite. Had one of those once, very painful

Now you have me worried. I google brown recluse bite, and it looks pretty similar to the early stages. I think I'm at about day 5 or 6. The first couple of days were painful to walk. Now, it isn't so bad.

 

[Hoov]

Go to ur doctor. I feel like u need a cmon man for someone having to say this

Ur health is nothing to fool around with

 

[CyberB0b]

Go to ur doctor. I feel like u need a cmon man for someone having to say this

Ur health is nothing to fool around with

I feel like if I just go to my gp, he will just give me some antibiotics and send me on the way. I told my wife I would go if it got any worse. It seems to be improving slightly, as there is no giant red ring around it anymore.

 

[Keifer]

It could be MRSA. I had issues with it years ago before it became as known as it is now and the doctor kept telling me they were brown recluse bites. It starts out looking exactly like your picture but keeps swelling until it finally opens up. I would go to the doctor now, if it is MRSA they will open it up and pack it and put you on antibiotics. I dealt with that crap for years, it would go away for a few months then a new one would pop up out of nowhere. Luckily it has been years since I've had any issues so hopefully I am done with it but its not something you want to ignore and hope it goes away.

 

[CyberB0b]

It could be MRSA. I had issues with it years ago before it became as known as it is now and the doctor kept telling me they were brown recluse bites. It starts out looking exactly like your picture but keeps swelling until it finally opens up. I would go to the doctor now, if it is MRSA they will open it up and pack it and put you on antibiotics. I dealt with that crap for years, it would go away for a few months then a new one would pop up out of nowhere. Luckily it has been years since I've had any issues so hopefully I am done with it but its not something you want to ignore and hope it goes away.

Did you have better luck going straight to a dermatologist?

 

[Keifer]

Did you have better luck going straight to a dermatologist?

I didn't go to a dermatologist just a family doctor. The most important thing would be to get a culture done to find out for sure what it is and then you can go from there.

 

[Hoov]

I feel like if I just go to my gp, he will just give me some antibiotics and send me on the way. I told my wife I would go if it got any worse. It seems to be improving slightly, as there is no giant red ring around it anymore.

I understand that men generally like to hold off going to the doctor. Sometimes its the idea that it will be nothing serious and you will have spent some time and money unnecessarily or the idea that the doctor will think your a hypochondriac for showing up for something minor.

But it is serious enough that it is bothering you.

No one can really diagnose you over the internet definitively nor should they try.

I work in healthcare and i see people putting off going for treatment all the time and then it becomes more serious.

Generally i would think that you go to your primary physician first. Then if he/she thinks a dermatologist is indicated he/she will give a referal. Most of the time i think a referal is indicated before seeing the dermatologist - unless you already have a relationship with a dermatologist for other ongoing skin conditions.

I still think its a good idea for you to see your physician - even though you say it is improving. Hopefully it is nothing serious. But best to be safe.

 

[notherbob]

I know nothing,; nothing, I tell you.

 

[Fletch]

Red ring around it? Like a target? That could be Lyme Disease.

 

[CyberB0b]

Red ring around it? Like a target? That could be Lyme Disease.

It had one. Gone after day 3.

 

[Fletch]

It had one. Gone after day 3.

Just hope you still get it checked. Best wishes!

 

[Corso]

Red ring around it? Like a target? That could be Lyme Disease.

I hope not. Best wishes Bob. Get that thing looked at! Now!

 

[DallasDomination]

Just an fyi...when u self diagnose you come up with the craziest results and usually leave way more concerned.

Doctor will Help.

 

[CyberB0b]

Went to the doctor. He spent 30 seconds looking at it, told me he wasn't sure what it was, and gave me antibiotics. This is exactly what I didn't want to happen.

 

[NeonNinja]

Looks like a brown recluse bite. Had one of those once, very painful

This was my first thought as well. Had one on my foot, scary and painful. Definitely nothing to ignore.

 

[Tabascocat]

This was my first thought as well. Had one on my foot, scary and painful. Definitely nothing to ignore.

I ignored mine, everything was back to 100% about 6 months later when the flesh filled back in

 

[Doc50]

This showed up about a week ago. It was really painful to the touch, so I figure it was a spider bite or something. There was also a huge red spot bigger than my fist that surrounded it. Now, it is still tender, but doesn't seem to be going away. Should I just go straight to a dermatologist? I know there are some doctors on board.

It's not a brown recluse, or you would have had a large area of central necrosis by now.

It's not likely lyme disease, because that rarely causes the prominent swelling you have.

It's most likely a bacterial abscess with associated cellulitis. Antibiotics are the treatment of choice, and I don't understand why that's a problem to you.
This will likely resolve without incision and drainage; if it drains or doesn't improve, you need to return for a culture of the exudate.
Your Doc likely made the right diagnosis and treatment. If you want to do that yourself, you'll need to move to Mexico, where you can buy your own antibiotics without a Rx. That's a place where serious consequences occur due to people treating themselves with the wrong medication, wrong dose, wrong duration, for the wrong diagnosis.

God luck to you.

 

[sureletsrace]

I highly doubt it's a brown recluse bite.

It could just be an infection from an ingrown hair. Had them a couple times myself. It can redden the area and make it infected which causes it to swell. Very, very tender. Painful as all hell to 'pop'.

It could also be a staphylococcus infection.

It could be many, many different things, some of which could legitimately kill you.

Go to the doctor.