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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if this insect bite needs treating?

32 replies

ResetPassword · 29/09/2019 19:08

Posting for traffic, sorry.

I was bitten by something 4/5 days ago on my leg and back, no idea what but it can't be anything too exciting, I live in NW England.

The one on my back is fine but my leg is sore and it's gone red, hot to touch and hard. DH drew around it last night, this morning it had improved but it's looking a bit angrier this evening and uncomfortable to walk. No temperature or weird symptoms.

Do I need to get this checked by a GP or would it be better to pop into the chemist tomorrow?

To ask if this insect bite needs treating?
OP posts:
SlowStarters · 29/09/2019 19:11

Please, please call 111 - it could be cellulitis (I get this after any insect bite, especially on my legs) and you need anti-biotics as it could lead to sepsis.

Original poster
ResetPassword · 29/09/2019 19:11

Slightly better pic attached

To ask if this insect bite needs treating?
OP posts:
SlowStarters · 29/09/2019 19:12

www.nhs.uk/conditions/cellulitis/

Original poster
ResetPassword · 29/09/2019 19:12

There's no walk in nearby so it would need to be A&E at this time of night which seems rather ott

OP posts:
PenCreed · 29/09/2019 19:13

Have you put antihistamine cream on it? I react to mosquitos and get that shape and the heat, but antihistamines help. I'd ask the chemist first, but that's because it's normal for me!

SummerHouse · 29/09/2019 19:14

I tend to get bites swell up and get really angry but they go down just as quick. I never really thought anything of it. After slow starters post I would definitely get it checked!

StopThatCat · 29/09/2019 19:14

I definitely wouldn't go to A and E! Just keep an eye on it and if it's worse then go see the pharmacist tomorrow

IAmALazyArse · 29/09/2019 19:16

I had one like this. I think it was a horsefly or similar bastard. 6 days! Another week before it disappeared completely. It didn't itch but it hurted like hell first 6 days.
Flying bastards

ragged · 29/09/2019 19:17

Talk to chemist, I suggest.

Original poster
ResetPassword · 29/09/2019 19:18

No, I'm not suggesting A&E, sorry if my tone didn't come across.
Thanks slowstarters, I don't meet any of the criteria for 111 so I don't think it's that urgent, but cellulitis crossed my mind too

OP posts:
HomeTheatreSystem · 29/09/2019 19:18

The red outline ring around it looks like it may be a tick bite. Definitely get it checked out.

cccameron · 29/09/2019 19:18

Have you taken antihistamines? Insect bites come up like that on me sometimes (and a lot worse than that as well) but a couple of days antihistamines takes them right down. Wouldn't be going to A&E

RedPandaFluff · 29/09/2019 19:20

I had similar a wee while ago, @ResetPassword - I contacted 111 and they advised me how to get antibiotics pronto (walk-in centre etc.). Recommend you do the same.

Original poster
ResetPassword · 29/09/2019 19:21

No antihistamine cream in but I've got some children's Piriton I could swing Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
ResetPassword · 29/09/2019 19:22

Swig, not swing

OP posts:
Karwomannghia · 29/09/2019 19:23

In Italy we all got bites looking like that. But so many it obviously wasn’t a bad reaction to just the one. Do you feel ill at all?

Roominmyhouse · 29/09/2019 19:23

I get bites which I react to like this regularly. Take antihistamines, use ice to reduce the swelling and elevate your leg as much as possible. That usually helps to take the heat and swelling down. If it continues to grow then you might need medical advice, but generally they only give you stronger antihistamines unless they think it’s infected and then they might give you antibiotics. The other thing I’ve used is iodine dressings, the nurse gave me them once and now I buy from a local pharmacy. Iodine is an antiseptic and I often get blisters at the site of my bites so it helps with the healing.

Blahblahblahnanana · 29/09/2019 19:23

You do meet the criteria for 111, it’s hot to touch! You need antibiotics.

redhotketchup999 · 29/09/2019 19:23

I reacted exactly like this to a mosquito bite this year.
Had about 15 normal bites all over me and then one that looked like this!
My DS reacts the same!

redhotketchup999 · 29/09/2019 19:26

Here’s photos of mine and my sons.
I was worried his was a tick bite, but definitely not.

Lindy2 · 29/09/2019 19:27

I had one like that and went to see a pharmacist. He gave me a steroid cream for it which did seem to help.
Is your bite itchy? This is what he checked with me. Cellulitis isn't usually itchy. My bite itched like mad. I used a tip from Google and put a bit of toothpaste on it sometimes which did help with the itch.

Catapillarsruletheworld · 29/09/2019 19:29

I had some big old nasty bites when I came back from holiday last year. They were huge, with rings around them. I tried to get a doctors appointment and couldn’t, so I got some inadine dressings from the chemist and they cleared them up pretty quick.

cccameron · 29/09/2019 19:33

Definitely take some of the Piriton

inwood · 29/09/2019 19:34

Looks like a classic bullseye tracking rash and needs to be seen.

Itsallpetetong · 29/09/2019 19:42

Take piriton and speak to the pharmacist first thing, s/he will let you know if you need to see a dr.

Looks like a classic bullseye tracking rash and needs to be seen
That’s what I thought until I read that op’s DH had drawn a ring around it and I enlarged the pic to check Grin