flies that bite

[lilacben]

I have been biten by a fly.! last firday when I was cutting the grass a fly was on y hand and bit me. I felt it and tried to shake it off but couldnt so I had to knock it of. the bit is very itchy and swollen with a red ring round. where it bit me there is a hole and it is weeping. My husband keeps telling me flies don't bite. but I saw the little ------ with my own eyes. any one else been biten.?

[naz_nomad]

Probably either a 'horse fly' or a 'robber fly' ... nasty critters

[cat woman]

Hi lilacben, What a coincidence I was going to post the same thing, I was in the garden last Saturday, cutting the lawn and trimming the hedge, yesturday I started scratching my left ankle and realised that I must have been bitten in the garden by "something " unlike your self I didn't see what had done it. Well today my ankle and foot has swollen up considerably to the extent that its very painful to walk on it, so it looks like I need a visit to the docters tomorrow.

My ankle had a red ring too where I was bitten, but now its the size of a pea. X X X :-(

[spudqueen]

lilacben - go down the chemists, I had a bite which sounds very similar to yours and the chemist sold me some hydrocoritisone cream which really helped it. Then a week later I had another bite which was really swollen, I went down the chemists again who told me to see the Doctor as this one was infected.

[China Doll]

Think Naz got it on the head, it definately sounds like a horse fly. My friend got bitten by one recently and he had to go to the docs cause of infection. I think they gave him antihistemin (spelt so wrong, apologies) to treat it.

[horsestache1]

Definatly sounds like a horsefly, vile creatures, and there are loads of them about this year, must be the heat.
Use hydrocortisone cream, and take piriton or similar, but it will take a couple of days fpor the stinging to go. I've got about 6 bites and am in agony!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[earthakitten]

If this is the first time you have encountered a horsefly please heed all the advice that has already been given, the chemist being your first stop.Itchy red hot lump followed by a blister that opens and weeps. I am prone to these little sods, have been for years, and have the scars to prove it. I am currently treating my latest one with antibiotic cream from the docs as it was ulcerating, after seven weeks !!!! Also tried about every preventative spray / cream available. They must be immune ! Good luck with yours. xx

[lilacben]

Many thanks for all your answers, Yes will get some cream tomorrow. it is still very red around the edge and top keeps getting knocked off. Hope everyone else who is suffering will soon be better. x

[JenJensD]

I was in my living room this evening when I looked over to a fly resting on my hand and sucking blood. The tiny prick is starting to redden and hurts a little. I don't know what it was but it was about the width of a tac head. It really freaked me out and I'm wondering what it was.