Worried about mosquito bite

[bitebitebitebite]

I react badly to mosquito bites (steroids for swelling last year)
I had one tiny bite mark on Thursday evening near elbow and as usual it's very swollen but today it's spread to my forearm. I've had a hell of a day (Ill child) so haven't really given it thought but I'm now in bed panicking. My arm is a bit achey and it's hot to touch and itchy. Not sure if it's a reaction or infection... what do you think?

Go and buy anti histamines but not the one a day ones, the ones where you take around 3 in a day. They work for me. I was told this by a dr as i used to have really bad reactions to mossy bites

Take antihistamines,use hydrocortisone cream in it. Piriton liquid is best for mites as you can take it multiple times a day. Draw a line round it it and monitor its spread.

Redness is definitely spreading. 111 said stay home so I'm hoping it'll go down over night. Thanks for talking me down I was panicked.

Photos aren't very clear, 1st is site of bite, my arm is not normally so big. 2nd is front of forearm and 3rd is under arm.

Jesus. Sorry, I know that’s no help. I’ve gad this. Shame it’s the weekend. I’d try a pharmacist. I know that can be hit and miss, but so can gps. At least they will see it at its worst.

Ice, soap and water on the bite and antihistamine

I react badly to insect bites. I've had swelling like that before and i've also at times needed antibiotics. The only times that there was a concern about infection needing antibiotics the bite itself was weepy, sore and infected looking. Otherwise I would just take Piriton and use hydrocortisone cream.

Pharmacists can give antibiotics for infected insect bites now.
It does look infected.

Google skeeter syndrome OP. I'm also allergic to mosquito bites and have had similar reactions to that. As other have said, an antihistamine should be your best option. After that, invest in some mosquito repellent, touch wood I've not had a bite since spraying it on myself before bed.

I could have kicked myself i religiously spray myself each morning but the one day I didn't bother!

@Pippapottamus skeeter syndrome looks exactly right.

I think today has been really stressful and so my panic went into over drive tonight and google doesn't help.

Thank you all

I confess I actually drove to a&e by which time I had calmed down and just paid for the privilege of parking and went home.

I would take fexofenadine and see a pharmacist tomorrow. They can prescribe antibiotics under the pharmacy first scheme for infected insect bites if needed.

Several family members react badly to mosquito bites, usually resulting in cellulitis. It turns red and hot and the redness spreads. They develop a temperature, nausea, sometimes start shaking and the area can darken to a purple colour and start 'tracking'.

The usual treatment is antibiotics, sometimes intravenously if it gets bad. Family members both travel with 'co-amoxiclav 'just in case' and also have to cover up.

@bitebitebitebite How are you feeling today? Any improvement?

I have had similar in the past, and it just needs time (and whatever over the counter stuff helps to relieve the itching). I had one like this once when on holiday with 3 qualified doctors.... they all had a good laugh, and told me I'd be fine. Which I was. Please don't waste A & E time

😮It's so swollen now I thought it must be your knee.
@bitebitebitebite, I sincerely hope this resolves quickly!

(I was NOT implying your arms are fat! 😉)

Also, how is it today?

Ok, I seriously suggest going to A&e if the redness is spreading, and you have swelling. These sorts of bites can very very quickly turn into cellulitis, this has happened to my daughter twice this last month.

Twice she was bitten by a horse fly, And twice she had an extreme reaction with swelling and redness. She was kept in a few hours in hospital on IV antibiotics and was given a prescription for oral antibiotics and steroids.

Always better safe than sorry

Is it better today, bitebitebitebite? Did you take antihistamines?