Over reactions to insect bites

[IgnoranceIsStrength]

Every time I get an insect bite the area around it goes through a complete over reaction. The bite will swell massively as will generally at least a 5 cm circle around the bite. It will also be unbearably itchy and sore. Anyone else experience this and found anything that works? I am already on antihistamines for hayfever and have taken piriton. I've tried aloe vera, hydrocortisone, anthisan and after bite (plus more probably). Been bitten on my hand yesterday and struggling to move all fingers now as swelling is so bad

I get this too. As long as I take an antihistamine right away, and keep taking them, it doesn’t swell up too badly, but the heat and itching is awful, even after liberal applications of Anthisan and cortisone cream. I find Loratidine is the best antihistamine for me. Sorry I have no better suggestions but sending sympathy! Hopefully someone on here has the holy grail of remedies!

Those little zapper things are quite useful. An ice cube can help too. You can get stronger antihistamines on prescription.

I get this and haven’t found a solution. No help to you now but I try to prevent getting bitten so always use mosquito repellent if I am outside in the evening

Ive taken cetrizine and loratadine today...not sure if that is allowed (?!) Will try the ice cube. Getting to the point where I think I will have to go gp for something stronger then. Its from walking the dog through fields so even covered in anti mozzie spray doesn't appear to make any difference. Thank you for suggestions so far

I also get this. I currently have three large bites on my leg and I'm already on a prescribed strong antihistamine for hayfever and allergies. Sudocreme helps a bit, as does Germolene. When it gets really itchy I dig my thumbnail into the bite in a cross, I don't know why it helps but it does for a bit.

Other than those, I have no real solutions

I also suffer this, and weirdly the only thing that works for me is sudocrem.

I'm with you. Lovely family holiday ruined a few years back because I got utterly mozzied despite repellants. I gave up counting the bites at 40. I looked like I had a hideous skin condition

More recently, I got a horsefly bite on my foot that was awful, just before we were due to fly. Foot blew up like a balloon! I limped in flip flops to a pharmacist for advice. The one-a-day anti-allergy tablets (help me a lot), then add hydrocortisone cream as needed.

I also find it helps to stick a big plaster over bad bites. It stops them being touched to set off itching, and stops absentminded scratching.

I feel your pain. Am mildly allergic to most insect things. Ladybirds, Earwigs, wood lice... but weirdly not mosquitos. I don't react to them at all (!)

I'm the same, my sympathy.
Some of worst bad bites have left scars.

I've come to the conclusion that prevention is better than cure. I've tried loads of repellents and honestly the only thing that works is Deet.
I buy it in cream form, so I can apply it only to the exposed bits of skin and don't inhale the stuff from a spray, and shower after.

Apparently Avon Skin So Soft is a miracle repellent, is sold as a body lotion but works better than products that are sold as repellents.

Yep both me a DS get this. He is currently covered from head to foot - looks like he has the plague or something. Again the one-a-day AHs seem to have little effect and anthisan is next to useless. I would love a solution. It can be so painful if the bites are on joints when the swell.

I'm the same.

I use eurax on it. It takes the itching away.