Insect bite (again!!)

 
Same damned thing that bit me on the hand and my whole hand puffed up, but
this time it's bitten me right in the middle of my shin.  :-(
A 2mm initial bite spot (actually, there are 2 of them, only one has reacted
/very/ badly) has turned into a dark red patch about 2cm across, a raised
bump about 6cm x 10cm.  And it aches.

 On 09/08/2011 23:00, vicky@dinky.vm.bytemark.co.uk wrote:

Go to your local pharmacy and get some loratidine or cetirizine
antihistamine tablets (these are "non-drowsy").  This will help dampen
the response to the bite. Also get some hydrocortisone-based cream to
rub on the bite.

As you react so badly, you might want to consider using insect-repellent
spray or cream before venturing into the garden for any length of time.

--

Jeff

 
It took a few days before realising what it was.  It felt like I'd walked
into something and it had bruised and swollen.  I've been putting anti
histamine cream on it the last 2 nights, I would have taken an AH tablet but
I think they have accidentally gone to visit my mum in the boys' suitcase.


It only happens once or twice a year, and tbh, I don't think about it until
it occurs.  Mosquitoes are annoying, but don't cause anything like that
problem (they did when I was pregnant and in Italy, though!)

From previous suggestions, the most likely culprit to my mind is
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blandford_fly

My next door neighbour suggested red ants, Nick thinks it's a spider (but he
would, he's a little spider-phobic)

 
They are nasty little buggers, and certainly produce a reaction like you
describe.  I thought they sprayed the area between Blandford and Wimborne
each year now ?  Certainly started to when I was down that way.

 


On 10/08/2011 09:43, in article j1tgc7$gc7$1@news.albasani.net, "Jeff


Two other thoughts. I find Savlon works quite well in the absence of
anything else - I believe it has a low level anaesthetic effect (same stuff
as teething gel I believe) so it relieves local irritation quite well.

Afterbite and similar sticks contain some sort of ammonia compound, and
again relieve itching afterwards. I've found that they also seem to reduce
the swelling and blistering that I usually get from mozzie bites (I usually
get swelling as described by the OP, and a central area up to 1cm across of
yellow fluid-fillied blisters).