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Original poster

Insect bite flare up advice needed (with photo)

43 replies

frostyfire · 14/08/2022 21:27

I was bitten just over a fortnight ago, three bites on legs, red spots, slightly swollen at first, and very itchy, but then started to fade and itching stopped. Not sure what but me as no stings or insects were spotted.

Until yesterday when the itching started again and the one on my thigh, the largest, approx 4cm, has spread from a red spit to this. One on my ankle is smaller but similar. The third on front of my leg has remained the same and is still fading.

I'm worried it's infected or might have been a tick bite? I've been taking antihistamine tablets and using eurax cream but it hasn't made a difference. I have hydrocortisone cream but not sure whether to use. Any advice please?

OP posts:
Hippywannabe · 14/08/2022 21:32

Magnesium sulphate paste is really good for bites, you can get it at Boots. You could ask the pharmacist there to take a look and see if it is infected too.

brawhen · 14/08/2022 21:35

Looks like a tick bite (you'll probably never be certain) . See your GP this week for antibiotics just in case.

However, it is a bit odd that you didn't see the ticks attached in any of the four locations. Are they kind of in a line? In my experience, extremely itchy bites in a line up/around your leg are from fleas (and very easy not to spot the fleas on you). So maybe some non-tick thing that you are having a bad reaction to.

Rainraingoaway21 · 14/08/2022 21:35

Maybe a tick bite or ringworm? Weird if it had started to heal though so I'd get that checked out.

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Badger1970 · 14/08/2022 21:48

I always need Hydrocortisone on bites, otherwise they linger for months.

Original poster
frostyfire · 14/08/2022 21:50

@brawhen
I'm pretty certain I was bitten when gardening as I usually wear long socks and wellies whatever the weather, but didn't.

No, they're not in a line. The photo from my OP is behind my thigh, and I have another same leg, but lower front leg (no ring or itchiness has developed). The third is on my other leg (ankle) and has developed a partial ring and itching, though not as bad as the thigh bite.

Just wondering if it's worth bothering the GP.

I've attached a photo of the smaller ankle bite from the other leg!

Insect bite flare up advice needed (with photo)
OP posts:
Original poster
frostyfire · 14/08/2022 21:51

Sorry the photos aren't coming out well.

Thanks everyone and I'll look into suggestions so far and have a try with the hydrocortisone.

OP posts:
BlackbirdsSinging · 14/08/2022 21:53

Yes, could well be a bullseye rash from a tic. Definitely worth seeing GP. Don’t worry though, if it is it’s easily treated with antibiotics.

Original poster
frostyfire · 14/08/2022 21:53

There are the original spots in the centre of the two rings, in case it's too blurry to see, so not ringworm.

OP posts:
Yarnasaurus · 14/08/2022 21:54

It does look like a classic tick bite bullseye rash, so it's worth being aware of what to look out for in case it's Lyme disease: www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/

hedgehoglurker · 14/08/2022 21:59

Pharmacist can help too.

Beamur · 14/08/2022 22:03

I'd get those checked by your GP - they look like tick bites and you might need antibiotics.. the ring mark would concern me a bit.

FlibbertyGiblets · 14/08/2022 22:06

Another one chiming in to say that looks like classic bullseye tick bite, please show your GP urgently.

Original poster
frostyfire · 14/08/2022 22:11

Thanks all.

It doesn't mean I definitely have Lyme's disease even if it is a tick bite does it? Will the GP (if I can get an appointment!) prescribe antibiotics as precaution or test to check first?

OP posts:
Alfixnm · 14/08/2022 22:14

Just chiming in so that you don't miss the importance of this, OP. Definitely see your GP asap. Much much better off safe than sorry when it comes to lyme disease, which can be chronically debilitating!!

LIZS · 14/08/2022 22:16

No not necessarily Lymes from a tick bite. Have you walked in any deer populated areas recently?

Hmmph · 14/08/2022 22:20

You need to see the GP as it looks and sounds like a tick bite.
Very very easy not to see a tick, they look tiny- possibly as small as a full stop.

The symptoms don't occur immediately, but a week or so later.
The GP needs to give you antibiotics. The tests are not reliable and also you needs antibiotics ASAP.
DO NOT take a risk, Lyme Disease is very debilitating and you don't want to risk it.

More information at Lyme Disease Action.

BeBraveAndBeKind · 14/08/2022 22:47

I had something that looked the same last year. I didn't find out what bit me but it turned into cellulitis and I needed three courses of antibiotics to clear it. Definitely give the GP a call. Keep an eye on it, the redness spread quite rapidly for me.

lifeturnsonadime · 14/08/2022 23:06

Hydrocortisone cream and an oral antihystamine.

Keep an eye on the red area. If it grows see a doctor as if it becomes infected you will need an anti biotic.

Original poster
frostyfire · 15/08/2022 23:06

BeBraveAndBeKind · 14/08/2022 22:47

I had something that looked the same last year. I didn't find out what bit me but it turned into cellulitis and I needed three courses of antibiotics to clear it. Definitely give the GP a call. Keep an eye on it, the redness spread quite rapidly for me.

At what stage did you go to the doctor if you don't mind my asking?

OP posts:
Original poster
frostyfire · 15/08/2022 23:08

LIZS · 14/08/2022 22:16

No not necessarily Lymes from a tick bite. Have you walked in any deer populated areas recently?

I've passed deer in the field once on my run in the last few weeks. That's a couple of miles away from my house and I'm certain I was bit from gardening as they came up the next morning ( the initial small spots).

OP posts:
SenseiOfDuty · 15/08/2022 23:11

The fact that it was dying down, like a normal bite, then they've all flared up is very concerning, I would say. It does look like the bullseye rash from a tick tbh

The NHS website says this "The rash can appear up to 3 months after being bitten by an infected tick, but usually appears within 1 to 4 weeks. It can last for several weeks.

The rash can have a darker or lighter area in the centre and might gradually spread. It's not usually hot or itchy."

Get yourself in contact with a GP asap

Penguintears · 15/08/2022 23:12

Please see your GP asap. You really don't want to risk being chronically ill with Lymes disease. These are classic bullseye rashes from tics.

Original poster
frostyfire · 15/08/2022 23:12

So, thanks for all the advice. Im afraid I couldn't get through to the GP. They have a system where you need to call at 8am for a same day appointment. All of the appointments had gone by the time I spoke to someone

.I think it might be slightly worse, the one on my thigh as it looks darker in the middle I'll add a photo.

Insect bite flare up advice needed (with photo)
OP posts:
Original poster
frostyfire · 15/08/2022 23:15

I'm not confident I'll get through tomorrow, they're notoriously short of appointments at the moment, and my DC has an appointment elsewhere at midday so I'm tied up a bit.

Is a walk in medical a possible solution. They're open until late I think.

OP posts:
cathyandclare · 15/08/2022 23:16

Definitely need to see a doctor for antibiotics to cover Lymes- easy to treat and serious if missed.