My dd 10 gets very bad swelling when she gets bitten by a mozzy, what can I do?

[ihatethecold]

She has had to have antibiotics twice already this year.
She gets bitten and the swelling is raised and red about 3 inches in a circle around the bite.
I really don't want to keep giving her anti biotics.
We have antisan cream for the itch but it doesn't help the swelling.

Any advice

[gymboywalton]

anti histamine tablets

i get the same and it's an allergy to the bites not an infection
anti histamine table usually helps a lot

[bookcave]

I have this and I find that ice on the bite asap and then repeated whenever the hot feeling returns reduces the duration and size of the swelling dramatically. Anti histamines have very little effect on mossie bites for me.

Without the ice, they're 3 inches across, rock hard, swollen and maddeningly itchy. And they can take 6-8 weeks to go. With the ice, they stay under a maximum of 1 inch, and they go within a few days. Ice on mossie bites was my best discovery during pregnancy as I had both my children in a tropical mossie zone.

[ContinentalKat]

Antihistamine, Fenistil Gel and a good toxic repellent.
It's a bugger, I've got the same allergy

[CinnabarRed]

I've got it too - watching this thread with interest!

[LackaDAISYcal]

DH uses something called afterbite which is ammonia based; he has an allergic reaction to all sorts of biting things including midges and mozzies, and has had cellulitis several times after being bitten. Thankfully it's not a full blown anaphylactic reaction, and stinging things don't seem to have the same effect!

He also swears by Avon Skin So Soft (Woodland fragrance) to deter the little buggers, and believe me he has tried pretty much everything on the market.

[MooseBeTimeForSpring]

I get something similar but mine end up with large water filled blisters.

[MrsMot]

Antihistamines are the only thing I've found which stop the reaction. Anthisan/hydrocortisone bite creams don't touch them.

[DoItTooJulia]

She and you need to carry after bite. As soon as she is bitten, get it on. Antihistamines too. Pure essential oil of lavender (after a skin test) can be applied in a single drop to the area, it helps with the itching, and ice too.

The lavender and ice can be repeated as often as not.

Germolene is also good as it has a local anaesthetic too.

[LackaDAISYcal]

That's what happens to DH moose; and they are always incredibly itchy. I get a bit of an itch for a day or so, then it fades to a teeny red dot and it's gone.

[Catsmamma]

i used to be like this...either I have grown out of it or since we moved maybe the bugs can no longer find me.

Antihistamines, piriton was the best for me, but would completely knock me out.

[cazakstan]

I second that DAISY Get some Avon 'Skin so Soft' any fragrance cream or oil spray...it really does work as a deterrent. All my family use this even in Asia and we do not get the slightest nibble when we use it. We go for the triple whammy...shower cream, body cream and oil spray. The little fuckers stay well away. On offer at the moment too

[Chopchopbusybusy]

Another after bite user here. It stings a bit when you first put it on but it soothes fairly quickly.

[ihatethecold]

Great thanks, I didn't expect so many replies.
I've got after bite with the ammonia smell. It stings when iveused that before.
I will definately get some skin so soft. Woodland fragrance you say?
I do have some antihistamines but the packaging says over 12 years.
I think I will need to get an age appropriate one.

She had antibiotics because her ankle was so swollen. I think she had cellulitis.

[LackaDAISYcal]

yes, unfortunately afterbite dcoes sting a bit....you can almost feel it drawing the poison out though!

DH also got this little thing that gives a tiny electric zap that he swears helps. I won't let him anywhere near me with it though!

You can get a children's version of Benadryl, which is non drowsy.

I thought it was only the Woodland fragrance that repelled insects? It used to be the original fragrance fo skin-so-soft aeons ago before they went all upmarket and fancy flavoured!

[oldiebutnctoday]

Poor love, it is miserable, I'm the same too. I went to see my GP in desperation as I was fed up with my holidays being ruined, she was very sympathetic and suggested the following

1. Avon skin so soft spray oil moisturiser
2. Vitamin b supplement (same as what's in marmite ewww)
3. Hydrocortisone cream for the itching
4. Prescription strength antihistamine, am not medical so pardon laymans explanation but apparently the main antihistamines are in about three or four groups and work in different ways so you need to find one that suits you. I told my GP which ones I had tried (none were effective) and she found one that's brill for me. I would take her to your GP and see if they can help. I do find I get loads less bites with the vitamin b tablets too, just back from hol when I got two bites and they didn't swell as took my tablets straight away.

[ZingWatermelon]

Apparently if you put a hot spoon on bite site (like a hot compress) it will destroy the toxin and reduce symptoms

worth a try?

[ihatethecold]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your suggestions.
I've ordered 2 large bottles of skin so soft.
They were on offer at £2 each.
I will look into Benadryl.
We usually don't know she has been bitten until it's become very obvious.
Will try ice aswell.

[purpleroses]

You can break antihistamine tablets in half and give half to a child under 12. Half a Piritin is definitely OK for a 10 year old as that's what my GP told me to give DD to help her insomnia.

[OwlCapone]

The cheap "Value Health" antihistamines can be given to under 12s - just break in half. Something like 99p for 7 from Boots.

[PickledMoomin]

Me too.

I now have this little yellow device from Boots which you click on the bite. It's electrocutes the area but you don't feel it. Children can use it too.

I've used Hydrocortisone in the past

[Treaclepot]

You can get piriton for children in a bottle.

[gymboywalton]

i remember going to the dr once when my ankle was the size of an elephants foot and bright red. he ran his fingernail across the swelling and said 'if it was infected, you'd have hit the roof. '
he gave me antihistamines and it did the trick-my brother is the smae-his legs are scarred from it and my dad was allergic too. very odd.

[LokiTheCynicalCat]

Afterbite and anthisan are only short term relief for me (I'm another one with tasty blood) and vit B supplements may reduce but do not stop mozzies biting and do not affect the reaction once bitten.

I get antihistamines from boots before I go on hols, the drowsy and non drowsy ones, and take them once daily. I do a quick application to the first bite with something topical (anthisan usually) that relieves the itching for 30 mins until the antihistamines kick in.

I will now be hunting for some Avon cream for my next hols, though...!

[lurkerspeaks]

Antihistamines. I take them daily in a mossie environment.

It is an allergy apparently to mosquito saliva. Although I react to any insect bite - even boring old midges.

Bloody itchy and unpleasant though.

[Seeline]

I and my DS react similarly. I have always used Piriton syrup for him - certainly OK for 10 yo. Antihistamine tablets for me.
I find Benadryl cream better than anthisan.
Always use repellent if out in the evening or by water etc as mossies/midges are more prevalent then.