Insect bite allergy - getting worse?

[ThreeBeeOneGee]

I have always reacted a bit to insect bites, each one seems to swell up into a sort of hot painful hive.

I had three bites on my foot ten days ago which made the whole foot swell up .
I took antihistamines, and used antihistamine cream and steroid cream on it and it got better after a few days.

Yesterday I was stung by something on my thigh. Took an antihistamine immediately and put antihistamine cream on the sting. The hive that has come up is 15cm/6" in diameter! I was quite busy today and by the time I'd made dinner, my leg was very painful & I felt drowsy. I went upstairs to lie down and promptly fell asleep, leaving the DCs to put themselves to bed.

DH is a GP and looked at it, said I'd need antibiotics if it turned out to be cellulitis, and told me not to get bitten again (helpful).

My concern is that this seems to be getting worse, and I don't want to end up with a dangerous systemic allergy to insect bites. When I asked DH he just said "Well don't keep getting bitten then."

Does anyone know if hive type reactions can worsen over time into anaphylactic type reactions? Thanks.

Are you permanently covered on insect repellant? I would be...

My DM's insect bite reaction seems to be heading in the same direction so I am interested to see responses.

I have ordered some Avon Skin So Soft as that has worked for me in the past, and has the bonus that I'm not allergic to it!

Have you tried the wristband things?

I am toying with the idea of these

Do you know people who have used them successfully?

Your DH sounds like Doc Martin :)

Mixed reviews on the wristbands. I got some of the cheaper, non-waterproof versions last year for holiday and I wouldn't say I was very impressed. I might give those ones a go, but DH will scoff.

Anaphylaxis Campaign's fact sheet on insect stings, including symptoms which might indicate a more serious allergy developing.

Thanks ClaireOB, that's quite reassuring.

I get this too, it's really unpleasant, isn't it.

This year I've tried something different when treating them - just taking the oral antihistamines and not using a cream. So far the bites I've had haven't exploded they would have done before. They're still much more pronounced than the reactions the rest of my family get but nowhere near as large with the hive/blister that results.

That may just be luck and that I've not been bitten by anything too nasty yet!

I think oral antihistamines do help. I've started carrying them around with me, in case I get bitten/stung.

Ranitidine (for heartburn) is also an older type of antihistamine. I have chronic urticaria, and get prescribed this alongside other oral antihistamines sometimes when the hives are really bad.

I got bitten by a mosquito last week and it blistered very badly - 3in diameter, absolutely huge, looks hideous... still waiting for it to go down... and I just hope it wont scar!