Arm swollen up after being bitten by an insect. What can I do?

[Puipuee]

It must have been a mosquito or similar and now I've got a big, itchy swelling on the inner side of my arm, above my elbow, but it's not hard like normal mozzie bites. First it looked like a normal mosquito bite but then it got bigger, swollen and more itchy. I've wiped it with onion slices and wiped it with a warm cloth. Then the itching gets better but the swelling gets no better. I got it bit yesterday. Any idea? Should i consult a doctor?

If it was me, I'd take an antihistamine tonight and see a pharmacist tomorrow
Note - I'm not a health professional but my mother was a nurse - does that count?

Yes if the redness and swelling keeps increasing or spreading it could be infected. Have you got any piriton? Might help to take some if you do to help with the itching.

Dra around the swelling with a pen. If it increases you need to see a doctor ASAP.

Take an antihistamine, as PP advises.

A bit of piriton. I wouldn't do anything much to be honest. I often react to bits and have had some humdingers in my life. I can't think of a serious issue this might lead to. But someone else might come up with something.

Are there any tracks or red lines coming from the red area? If so this can indicate a potentially serious bacterial infection, and you would need to seek medical help immediately. If not, ibuprofen and antihistamines.

A pharmacist can definitely advise what to put on it, and if it looks infected and serious enough to see a doctor.

I spend every day of my life in that state since moving to Oz and discovering I'm allergic to mosquitoes.

I put apple cider vinegar on them. Works well.

My mother has had cellulitis as a result of insect bites. This can be serious, and can become so very quickly. You could try to get an appointment as soon as possible with your GP, or maybe try a pharmacist if no luck in the first instance with your GP.

In the meantime, antihistamines, and see if that helps.

Yes, my DH had suspected cellulitis also from a mosquito bite, on a tropical island with no hospital and one very inept doctor! It was quite scary. Any red lines might indicate bacterial infection travelling up the veins. If there is anything to suggest this, see a doctor straight away!

Are you abroad? When we lived in South America my son got a nasty bite on his eyelid. Antihistamines didn’t help so the paediatrician came out and gave him a steroid shot in the end. I had some nasty mozzie bites on my hand and it looked like a ham.. it did go down without any problems but it was very painful for days.