Hi Ruth,
I was reading about allergies yesterday. They've been plaguing me also.
It seems when we have a rainy summer, the weeds and other things that drop
pollen, multiply faster, and this makes the fall pollen worse.  Especially
when it's dry or no frost, so relief will be coming soon here, because
we're supposed to have rain.

It's really hard to know about the insect bite. Are there maybe spiders
around the house? I know I have some here from time to time. It's not
unusual when in "country".  So far none have bitten me, but I do hear, on
other newsgroups, that there's some nasties out there.  You might want to
vacuum thoroughly wherever she sleeps _and_ any cobwebs around the
ceiling. And you've had some construction, that perhaps allowed some into
the living area?  I had one a few months ago that was dropping down it's
filament from the ceiling light, right in front of my face, while I was
bed. That one got away from me, he ran too fast, but most of them I shoe
outside. (tissue and/or jar).  I'm sure they come back in.

I was thinking that if she was on antibiotic for a while, [conjecture
alert] that as her immune system recovers perhaps the "allergy" response
is more severe?

Have you found relief for her itching and swelling?  I think I read where
cortisone cream helps (but I'm not a medic).

I do hope all goes well with her return home :-)
Hugs Ruth,
J