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Bite me!
Dear Dr Dick,
Once again I have a couple small red spots on my body that look like insect bites. I had something similar a couple of months ago, but I think those were abscesses.
I don't have health insurance so can not see a doctor about it. I the meantime, am I exposing my sex partners to anything serious?
Sincerely,
Bitten, smitten but not forgittin' in Seattle
Dear Bitten, smitten but not forgittin' in Seattle
Thank you for your question!
To start an abscess is a pocket of pus. Pus means you have an infection. Pus is made of dead tissue, germs (bacteria), and white blood cells. An abscess usually appears as a hard, reddish, tender and painful lump, usually at the injection site, but it can also pop up in other places.
There are of course many different insects whose bits range from harmless to extremely dangerous. It is important to remember that winter is bed bug season, if they look like insect bites they could be a sign of bed bugs. Bed Bugs are small, elusive, and parasitic insects. They live strictly by feeding on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals. The name 'bed bug' is derived from the insect's preferred habitat infesting houses and especially beds or other common areas where people may sleep. Bedbugs, though not strictly nocturnal, are mainly active at night and are capable of feeding unnoticed on their hosts.
Of course, the only way to be sure is to be seen by a medical professional. You can also periodically inspect your sleeping area for bed bugs. It is a good idea to refrain from having sexual contact until you get to the bottom (no pun intended) of what these spots are.
The STD clinic at 9th and Jefferson is a great resource for men who have sex with men. http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthServices/health/locations/HIVSTD.aspx
Dr. Dick
P.S.
Here's a helpful link from Public Health about bed bugs:
And if health insurance is an issue, here's a couple of helpful links:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/locations.aspx
http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/personal/insurance.aspx
Safe and Sane Holidays
Greetings from Hawaii,
I am sending warm hello's from the sunny island. Although I am away, you are all in my thoughts for a safe and sane holiday experience!
Whether you're at home with family and friends, or at the bath house with a fuck buddy:
- Remember to get tested and play safe always!
- Use clean and new rigs each and every time!
- Brush your teeth after every meal!
- Call NEON at 206.323.1768 if you have a burning question!
- Brush up on your meth vocabulary by checking www.crystalneon.org
- If it looks & smells funky and out of the ordinary... get it checked out! That simple pimple might be a nasty viral infection! Never hesitate!
- To get tested, call 206.205.STDS [7837] to schedule your anonymous and confidential HIV and STD screening or call your doctor!
We have tons of resources to get you through this season. Phone numbers and website are listed in the back page in an easy to read format. Feel free to pull it out for future use.
Until next time... Aloha!
--Dr. Dick
