Insect bites

[curvybird]

When I get one,it goes horrible and blistered with a red patch about 8 inches round it where my skin goes hard an burning,and really itchy. I have antihistamines and put anthisan on,but nothing works. Why is this,and wot causes the hardness and burning ?

[dot.haukes]

You are allergic to the bite, I am allergic to certain insect bites, horse flies for one, my arm swells up in a circle around the bite, antihistimines stop the itching but can't stop the allergic reaction i don't think.
I think anti-biotics might help, you should go to A & E but ring the NHS helpline first

[dustypuss]

This might help ( Glad I'm not you ) :-(

http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/bites_ and_stings.html

[dustypuss]

:-)

http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/carto onists/jcr/lowres/jcrn28l.jpg

[curvybird]

Thanks for the replies Dot and Dusty,and for the funny one after Dusty. Really do feel crap, I went to Corfu 4 wks ago,got bitten to pieces all over,spent the whole week swelled up all over,not able to wear shoes cos the swelling was so bad,mopping up discharge from weeping blisters that then got infected and generally wishing I was at home. Got back and caught swine flu ( seriously, I REALLY wouldn't joke about that ) then just as I was getting right, my 3 inch ovarian cyst burst. It was excruciating. Got bit yesterday and my leg is now huge,red and hurts. I'm a little bit fed up,sorry to moan ladies, but don't want to bother my family x x Thanks for listening xx

[dot.haukes]

you must get treatment if the infection attacks your blood you will be very ill

[dustypuss]

I agree with dot get help

If you where a horse i would shoot you out of sympathy.

[curvybird]

Thanks Dusty ;o) xx

[caththecrazy]

Have you gone to A & E? Or phoned NHS direct? Agree with the others you've got to go and havea doctor look at you.

[Sqad]

Soon as you know that you have been bitten:

1) Wash the bite thoroughly with soap and water.

2) Apply ice packs for about 15mins (frozen peas)

3) Apply Anthisan cream.

The red, hard indurated area is the allergic reaction, which MAY become infected, but this takes 2-3 days to come on and would need antibiotlcs.

If you develop difficulty in breathing, wheezing or shortness of breath.....this is a big deal so call an ambulance or get to A&E.

[eyeshade]

Hi Curvy, my mozzie bites always get infected, try Witch Hazel, give it a day or two but it seems to work. I had 40 infected bites one year in Greece, had to go to hospital with them, and the doctor, wait for this.. put a glove on and ripped the tops off all them. when he pulled me back down from the ceiling, he simply said, "now go and stand in the sea" . Not ever wishing to duplicate that again, we found Witch Hazel was just as good as anti H's.

[jamesnan]

My doctor recommended a cortisone ointment instead of an antihistamine when I had very bad bites. There is a gadget called a ZanzaClick, which you click around the bite and which disperses the histamine. For the small amount this costs (�5ish) well worth the effort of using it and it does work. I bought mine in Boots.