A bite

Those of you who know me well are aware of my hatred for bugs. Unfortunately, when I'm outside, it seems that every biting bug in the area flocks to me and proceeds to bite me all over.  I end up with huge red welts from the bites, while Scott (who was in the same place) walks away unscathed.

Unfortunately, it seems that Karsten has inherited my ability to attract bug bites and then swell up in reaction. We started noticing this when he would get bites on his legs and they would swell to the size of a quarter and get bright red and warm to the touch.  There was even one on his upper thigh that caused me to call the nurse hotline at our doctor's office because I thought it was infected when it got to be as big as a half dollar and looked icky (a technical medical term!).

Today, Karsten was playing outside and must have been bit by something on his ear.  I noticed his ear was standing out funny during dinner but didn't think much of it until I was sitting behind him later and noticed how red it was.  As the night went on it got more and more red and swollen.  A call to the nurse hotline (yes, I'm that mom that calls whenever I'm worried) ensured me that unless there was a fever or his head and neck started turning red, it was likely a bug bite.  I've never (knock on wood) been bit on my ear, but apparently it's common for kids.

Poor lil guy - at least it didn't seem to hurt him, just itched a little.