To see a GP for this?

On a scale of bite reactions, that doesn’t look particularly noteworthy.

The UK is particularly proactive about managing risk of antibiotic resistance. It’s a major benefit of the public healthcare system.

At the moment your body has reacted a little bit to bites from a new creature youve not come across before. That’s pretty standard. Basic over the counter treatments are working.

Keep them clean, dont scratch, seek advice if you think theyre deteriorating. Read NHS info online when you get home if you want future advice. If you get other signs Youre abnormally prone to infection then also mention this when you see someone about the other infection.

Go to the pharmacy. They will be very used to treating these and will possibly have better , more suited to the problem, medication/creams than you pr GP has.
DD and I always get terrible mosquito reactions.
Pharmacy is always great- in every country (although I was given some really weird tablets in Sri Lanka for diahorreah which made my urine turn luminous orange. They worked a treat though!)

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23289-skeeter-syndrome

It isn’t.

When you can self medicate which she can you self medicate.

I phone the reception, get put on the triage for a call, gp calls within 3 hours, sometimes asks me to go in, other times refers me to the relevant specialist. Very straightforward at my practice. But then I only call for important things.

Hi OP, apologise if other people have suggested this already but my big Tesco has a Pharmacy at the back. You can queue at the desk and get help for this sort of thing and been seen by a pharmacist who will prescribe all kinds of stuff then and there. One time I came.down with a UTI a couple of days before going on holiday and had no.time.to see the GP, got seen and looked after then and there. Another time leading right up to Christmas my children had been unwell and it turned into a ear infection - same thing even on a Sunday even, got seen, ear drops and so on and were out in 20 mins. If you know you will struggle to see a GP, its an amazing service that really takes the guilt off seeing a GP without making yourself go without care for.

Best wishes and sorry you've gotten bitten so badly in the first place x

Are you sure? This is what it costs in France. Possibly less actually, more like £23.

Don't be an idiot the NHS isn't just for life threatening emergencies she isn't saying she will be going to A&E a GP is appropriate

Sadly, if you react like this you should cover yourself in insect repellent in future.

It's normal for bites to become red and weep. If they are mozzies- in UK it's midges not mozzies- the best thing is to apply antihistamine cream several times a day and take an oral antihistamine.

The only reason to see a dr is if the areas become bright red and you have swelling that looks like cellulitis and spreads a long way from the bite area.

Look up skeeter syndrome. Can occur at any age. Uncomfortable but treatable.

I had a manky insect bite a few weeks ago, phoned the GP and was told to go to minor injuries. Years ago, I got to see the GP for an infected wasp sting, so not sure if this is a new universal policy, or if the GPs were just really busy and saw an opportunity to send someone somewhere else, or if they do this specifically in our area now since the A&E department at the local hospital became a minor injuries department.

So you wanted a particular answer.Zero point in starting a thread. Just go to the GP.

definitely see a gp. I went through a stage of bad reactions to mosquito bites and they told me not to take the one a day anti histamine but the ones where its three times a day. I dont know why but that seemed to work.

I have had a lot of cellulitis from insect bites. I used to get practically ever single insect bite turn infected even without scratching them. Since I had my lipoedema surgery my lymphatics are less compromised and I haven't had cellulitis. I swear I can tell a cellulitis itch from a mosquito bite itch. I can also tell a mosquito itch from a duck mite itch but I'm just boasting now :-) Anyway, compromised lymphatics were the key for me. I used to thing it was allergies but I'm not so sure now. What used to take a huge amount of antihistamine pills and creams now takes a dab of steriod cream and I can forget about it until the cream wears off. If you look up lymphatic health it will probably suggest dry brushing.

Do you really expect that poster to list her name and professional qualifications?

In my experience, this will worsen over time with each trip abroad. Things you can do for the future: (many already suggested):

Take antihistamines ahead of time. Pack the strong ones to take with you, ditto bite cream and anti-inflammatories.

Use repellant. Lots. Wear the band things. Wear long sleeves and trousers, especially in the evening. Stay away from water.

For now, keep using what the pharmacist has prescribed, obviously. I can hear the shock and worry in your posts, but honestly, many people have these huge allergic reactions and they are deeply unpleasant, even without infection. It doesn’t hurt to treat for infection, although it’s less likely than ‘mere’ allergy. And obviously it’s sensible to watch for tracking and cellulitis.

You’ll probably become quite resigned over time. DH currently has at least 12 weeping, open sores from a 48 hour trip to Italy. Uncomfortable but healing. And unworried, it’s happened so many times!

I hope you feel much better soon.

Yes. It’s astonishing. I am a hospital dr and the amount of medication people are on, from places in Europe and the US shocks me. The NHS is rubbish in many ways, but our more careful attitude to prescribing is one of the pros. At medical school we were taught that the most dangerous thing we can do is prescribe. That has never left me, and being on lots of meds when you don’t need to be is never a good thing.

As you say, the attitude of pharmacies in Europe is very different.

You can get treatment a pharmacy for infected mosquito bites and the pharmacist can prescribe medication
https://www.england.nhs.uk/primary-care/pharmacy/pharmacy-services/pharmacy-first/

You can see a GP. But honestly they won’t tell you much. Some people react badly to bites and others don’t. The dr will prob tell you to cover up and use repellant! It’s not their specialist area and they won’t have much more to say.

The picture doesn’t look ‘that bad’ but is that because it has been partially treated or improved at that point?

There is no definitive way to diagnose an infection properly without doing a swab or culture. Inflammation can also lead to discharge and redness. So who knows if it was an infection, but it sounds like you are on the mend.

Pharmacists tend to default to give antibiotics.
Esp on the continent.
Doesn't necessarily mean it's good practice.

I have severe reactions to insect bites, I get very swollen huge red patches around them and then they turn into blisters filled with fluid. I haven’t had to see a doctor about one for years as I now just take antihistamines, ice them to bring down the swelling then I apply inadine patches with a dressing. If you can get those or something similar from a pharmacy in Italy I highly recommend. They are these little orange mesh sheets you can cut into smaller pieces and are antiseptic so help with the healing.

You should google mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and insect bites and see if applicable to you. Do you have any hypermobility in your family? People with these genetics more prone to developing MCAS and also tend to have poorer collagen and wound heeling. If you have ever had piercings and they have taken longer to heal that other people and maybe you have had more infections with them then expected, this could be why.

That’s no problem. You’ve been pretty rude to be honest so probably best to direct that towards someone being paid to tell you there’s nothing wrong with your leg (but possibly something going on with your need for unnecessary medical attention).

Yes OP, I read what you wrote, I understand that.
Lots of people in this thread have said they react similarly, or worse, to bites (as do I). As @Crashthebook said - it’s just one of those things.

Seeing a GP for that would BU in my opinion. You’ve asked for opinions and that’s mine.

Good idea. Argos sell them too. I’ve heard they’re excellent.