To never venture Outside again.

[BelleClapper]

Last night I set out the garden sofas all beautifully with a gazebo and cushions and fairy lights and lanterns. I sat outside until nearly midnight with wine and a book. It was lovely, or so I thought.

Today I am absolutely COVERED in horrible red itchy bites, massive red patches all over my legs. I’m so uncomfortable. Something has clearly taken a great liking to the taste of me.

I’ve put anthisan all over and had a cool shower but what else can I do? I have to go to work tonight and I can’t stand there scratching all evening.

Why does nature hate me?

Buy some anti insect candles to burn while you are sitting outside.

Are you sure it isn't heat rash or contact allergy? I get red itchy patches on randomly.
Allergy pill can help with symptoms too even if it's bites.
I remember this natural remedy thing. A slice of cold onion and keep it on for half an hour. Can't swear by it though. Just remember my friend doing it

Take an antihistamine tablet.

Antihistamine tablets should help and E45 do an itch relief cream which is good. Keep an eye on the bites and get them looked at if they get worse.

Buy some citronella candles or incense sticks.

Witch hazel gel. I’m covered in mosquito bites from
Ibiza (only place they bite me) and it’s what helped along with antihistamine tablets.

You need to hang out with a - tastier to the bugs- friend, who you volunteer as tribute to the bug Gods : Mr Popeye deploys me as a decoy, they avoid him entirely (I suspect due to his marmite consumption - they don’t like it either! ) In the mean time pop an antihistamaine tablet too before work.

Ok I’ll get antihistamine before work, do they do non drowsy ones? I’m not allergic to anything, don’t even get hay fever so this is all new to me.

I like the bug decoy tribute idea, I’ll offer DH up to the bug gods.

Oh and they are definitely bites, I can see entry points on all of them.

I used to get bitten by anything a LOT until I started taking garlic capsules, not the odourless, I don't think anything has bitten my for years now. Even when we took on a feral kitten and had a shortlived flea infestation.

I feel for you BelleClapper ! Have you taken an oral antihistamine as well ? I wonder if you were munched on by those tiny grass bugs, in France they are called aoûtards for the month they are most overwhelming, maybe chiggers in UK. Not helping much but I do know the bites are intensely uncomfortable. Maybe try citronella outdoor candles ? Or go full hazmat suit ! 😁

I think they are chigger bites from a quick Google.

I’m going to get some otc antihistamines on my way to work.

And I’ll definitely get citronella for next time.

Thanks for all the suggestions, this is all really helpful.

have you got any ponds or standing water in your garden? If you can't tip it away them mosquito dunks work really well

Where are you? I'm in Scotland and the midges love me. Smidge is what you need, it's for midges but deters most things. Spray that and you will be left in peace.

Ice will help with the itch, as will the Germolene with the local anaesthetic in it (check the packet because there's a kind with it and one without). Insect repellant next time you go out.

Invite my DH round. They will eat him instead. It works for me!

I put undiluted tea tree oil on mosquito/midge bites, takes the sting and some of the red bumpiness out very quickly. Organic grade if you can, not cheap pound shop (adulterated) versions! Most big supermarkets do a decent small (5 or 10ml) bottle. Swear by the stuff!

chigger bites says to me not UK

I’m in the South East.

I’m going to raid the chemist in a bit.

As a fellow person who gets those stupid huge red insect bites, the best tip to stop the itching was placing a hot spoon on the bite for a few seconds.. It really does seem to help.

Other than that, unfortunately it’s a case of forewarned is forearmed and wear insect repellent if you’re sitting outside in the evening.

@BelleClapper

Last night I set out the garden sofas all beautifully with a gazebo and cushions and fairy lights and lanterns. I sat outside until nearly midnight with wine and a book. It was lovely, or so I thought.

Today I am absolutely COVERED in horrible red itchy bites, massive red patches all over my legs. I’m so uncomfortable. Something has clearly taken a great liking to the taste of me.

I’ve put anthisan all over and had a cool shower but what else can I do? I have to go to work tonight and I can’t stand there scratching all evening.

Why does nature hate me?

belleclapper. Same thing had happened to me. Huge big bites with large red circles around them and sort of infected looking. I find the best thing is to 1, try and remember to spray yourself with insect repent before you go out 2, use Sudafed cream on the bites 3, take anti histamine tablets. 4 cover up clothing to avoid future bites. They are v sore. I sympathise. I was working yesterday and even the lining of my lined dress rubbing against them was driving me mad. The Sudafed really works

I never sit out at night for this very reason. It’s horrible isn’t. I hope you feel better soon OP.

Aloe vera gel on any exposed skin before you sit outside. You can buy stuff in tubes, or just keep a plant, cut a stem and split it, and use that gel. It tastes bitter, so apparently puts them off. I keep a few plants around for this, and for burns. If I forget the gel, I get eaten alive.

You can decant the gel from a plant into a glass jar and keep it in the fridge. Excellent for sunburn.