Insect Bites

[Veebird]

To scratch or not to scratch? Sometimes a scratch seems to relieve it, other times inflame. Then, if you're not supposed to scratch, why does it itch? And goes on for days sometimes? Anti histamine helps but not always handy.

[mazie]

Could have been Jordy. There were two puncture marks, is that typical of a Horsefly bite?

[mazie]

LOL, you sound about as lucky as me ummmm :o( Glad it didn't spoil the holiday for you

[atalanta]

Don't scratch ! My mother once scratched a bite, it turned into an ulcer, and took (Literally) years to heal. If you feel you must scratch, scratch Round the bite instead of over it. You get almost the same feeling of relief, but you don't make it worse.Best of all, rub an icecube over the bite until the cube has melted. It numbs the area for ages, and provides blessed relief.

[Peter Pedant]

No dont scratch you silly gairl !

Insects by design have a constant volume body ( the shell thing keeps it in variable), and so if it sucks up your blood, it has to well er poo a similar volume.

and so you scratch fly poo into the bite. ugh.

In C19, was a big way of spreading typhus during epidemics apparently.

I have a big prob with horse flies ( diptera ) and it seems the flies are always paddling around on dogs' toilets before having a go at me. ugh ugh.

[quinie]

I think Jordyboy's right -sounds like a cleg (horse fly) bite.Years ago I had two bites on a leg-swelled to the size of an egg. Well I remember my mother applying a hot (very hot!) poultice. That was sixty odd years ago when they resorted to home remedies- think it was a bread poultice then a bandage over it so couldn't scratch it lol

[quinie]

Veebird,if you google bread poultices you'll see what I was talking about -very effective and cheap remedy though I suppose it depends where the bite is!

[nungate]

You could try a drop or two of neat lavender oil that will take away the itch as well.

[Veebird]

Well, thanks everybody. I've learned my lesson and will try some of those remedies in future. I used antihistamine and it's quiet now but the ankle is a bit swollen. Seems I got off lightly by the sound of it.

[237SJ]

When I used to get reactions from bites, I used to scratch around the bite whilst avoiding the centre. That way, I satisfied the urge to scratch (and it was bliss when I did) but I didn`t get an infection.