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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask if I should be worried about this horsefly bite

20 replies

ronky30 · 14/07/2022 05:29

Got bitten a few weeks ago and again two nights ago. The most recent one has a big blister 🙁 I’m taking antihistamine, ibuprofen for the pain/swelling and have some hydrocortisone cream. This one is much worse than last time and Ive barely slept. Should I see the docs or just wait for it to go away?

To ask if I should be worried about this horsefly bite

OP posts:

Shoxfordian · 14/07/2022 05:35

Go to the pharmacy and they can give you something for it, looks painful

TheBikiniExpert · 14/07/2022 05:35

Go to the doctor's. I had a horsefly bite that wouldn't heal once and it needed treating sooner rather than later.

BoobsOnTheMoon · 14/07/2022 05:37

Yeah go to the pharmacy and ask for advice.

Mine always go like this so I'm fairly blasé about the massive blisters now, but if it's not a normal reaction for you then get it checked out!

ny20005 · 14/07/2022 05:37

Get medical treatment ! Needs antibiotics

Original poster

ronky30 · 14/07/2022 05:40

What do you do when the blister pops? Can I put a dressing on it? Only the second time I’ve been bitten so not sure if this is normal for me or not!

OP posts:

Original poster

ronky30 · 14/07/2022 05:41

I went to the pharmacy for the last one and they gave me hydrocortisone cream which I’ve been using but this one seems worse than last time 🙁

OP posts:

PlentyOFool · 14/07/2022 05:41

Yes, it looks infected

Anycrispsleft · 14/07/2022 05:41

The last time I had a horsefly bite I left it till it was spreading and I ended up needing not just antibiotics but a course of heparin injections. I would advise going to a chemist's now to see what they say but if it keeps getting bigger, go minor injuries or your GP.

PartyGoose · 14/07/2022 05:43

ronky30 · 14/07/2022 05:40

What do you do when the blister pops? Can I put a dressing on it? Only the second time I’ve been bitten so not sure if this is normal for me or not!

The last blistered bite like this that I had took 8 days to pop. I kept it covered and clean. After the first 48 hours or so it didn't itch or hurt unless I knocked it, just had the impressive blister!

For the poster who said antibiotics - for some people the blister is a normal reaction, it's not necessarily infected.

PlentyOFool · 14/07/2022 05:43

ronky30 · 14/07/2022 05:41

I went to the pharmacy for the last one and they gave me hydrocortisone cream which I’ve been using but this one seems worse than last time 🙁

So, there's your answer. That looks like cellulitis to me

Letterspostname · 14/07/2022 05:43

I had a couple that looked like that after a recent holiday in Greece.

My friend is a GP and she said to try hydrocortisone cream and an antihistamine and it worked a treat. I didn’t need antibiotics.

Letterspostname · 14/07/2022 05:44

Sorry, didn’t see you already tried that. I’d definitely go to the gp tben

PlentyOFool · 14/07/2022 05:45

Letterspostname · 14/07/2022 05:43

I had a couple that looked like that after a recent holiday in Greece.

My friend is a GP and she said to try hydrocortisone cream and an antihistamine and it worked a treat. I didn’t need antibiotics.

You had a weeping wound like OP?

Lemonite · 14/07/2022 06:00

DH had this almost exact looking reaction - I was convinced it was cellulitis but it wasn't. GP advised hydrocortisone cream and anti histamines which helped.

6 weeks later he's still got a red mark there and it feels bruised, can't believe how nasty horsefly bites are!

ArcticSkewer · 14/07/2022 06:27

Did you take antihistamines as well as using the hydrocortisone cream?

Greenstar22 · 14/07/2022 07:24

I was bitten by a horsefly and went to the doctors last year. Mine was red and spread but hadn't blistered. Doctor said if it's blistered and filing up it's infected. I think yours looks like it is. I'd go and get some antibiotics if needed. It doesn't look too bad but might turn into a bigger issue if you leave it.

MercurialMonday · 14/07/2022 07:51

I would see the GP with that.

Having said that first time I had a bite go like that it GP and practice were very abrupt and dismissive - my entire leg was swollen and red was still spreading and wound was weeping - though having seen a pharmacists first they did agree anti-biotics and a different anti-histamine tablet was worth a try - it still took ages to go.

It does now seem a normal reaction for me - I've had one this last week - but I have discovered Anthisan Bite & Sting Cream and despite fact I was already quite swollen up already has brought it all down. Might be worth trying in future.

bloodyunicorns · 14/07/2022 07:52

Oof. Horsefly bites can be horrendous and can get badly infected. I'd go to the GP. You may need antibiotics.

Fortyisthenewthirty · 14/07/2022 07:53

I would definitely get that looked at, but it's not clear from just the pic whether it's cellulitis. It doesn't appear to be tracking.

Other signs are that the redness is spreading, the limb is hot to touch, painful, and you feel unwell (fever, flu like). Especially the last.

ManateeFair · 14/07/2022 08:55

I get that exact reaction whenever I get bitten by any insect - flies, midges, gnats, mosquitoes, the lot. The blister isn’t necessarily a sign of infection.

If it’s not typical for you, though, I would show it to a pharmacist. Chances are it’s just a really horrible bite and nothing serious but they will be able to advise if they think it needs further attention and recommend any OTC treatments that might help.

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