The fire in your leg? And what is that?

Answer

Dear Tiny,

What we popularly call “The Fire” is actually an acute lymphangitis. This is an inflammation that, if not treated in time, can lead to effective blood poisoning. Your insect bite will have introduced bacteria into your lymphatic system. Your lymphatic vessels run throughout your body and can therefore spread the bacteria further throughout your body.

The bitten (and infected) leg will likely have the general inflammatory features:

· Pain

· Heat

· Swelling

· redness

· Loss of function

Typical symptoms when several lymphatic vessels become inflamed are: Chills, fever, possibly Nausea (with or without Vomiting and/or Diarrhea)

Here’s an answer to your question.

Regards

Ken Van Alsenoy