To think I’ve been bitten by a monster?

[earlymorningriserzz]

Any thoughts on what may have bitten me? No other bites/no one else in the family has any. Only asking as it’s SO INCREDIBLY ITCHY. Like nothing I’ve ever had before! I am 4 months postpartum so could be being dramatic 🤣

On my ankle - not aware of anything biting/stinging me.

excuse the rogue hair 🫣

Pic

That looks like a good old Scottish midge bite to me. A sleeping dormant one has awoken and got you.

Have you taken antihistamine? Applied antihistamine or hydrocortisone cream?

It does look like regular insect bites - mosquito or midge, etc.

You could try the hot spoon method too. Very effective. Look it up online, but essentially dip a spoon in VERY hot water (not boiling) then hold against the bite.

That looks like multiple bites/stings.
Take antihistamines. Hot spoon works on very recent bites. It’s no longer as effective once you’ve started reacting and swelling. Can’t do any harm, though.

Do you have pets? When we moved into one house, some of us developed similar rashes on the ankles. Turned out we had inherited an appalling flea infestation from the previous owners. The little bastards were probably living in the carpet. It took a while to work this out as we never saw a flea and we did not all react in the same way.

I used to get that in Summer months after cutting the grass

@pteromumgood shout - I went for a lovely walk around swamp water so very possible!

@CatsorDogsrulethe hot spoon method sounds like an absolute treat right now given how much they itch!

haven’t taken anything as I’m breastfeeding and the ones we have say not suitable but I’ve got a cream arriving tomorrow and going to grab a spoon as we speak 😁

@Aparecium

we have dogs but I’m the only one with the bites and it’s only those few on my ankle! Will check the dogs tomorrow just incase!

im definitely being dramatic- I wonder if postpartum hormones have reduced my tolerance 🤣

Boil some water and put a lot of salt in it. Dip cotton wool or similar into it and press against the bites until goes cold then repeat. The water needs to be the hottest you can stand without burning yourself.

If you have amazing prime, buy a Beurer mosquito bite machine. They are incredible

I use a hairdryer rather than a hot spoon. Probably (definitely) not as safe but the relief when the itch just disappears is something else!!!

You have an immense hystimine reaction going on, take an anti hystimine. You'll never find a packet that says it's ok during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It's unethical to test.

Loratadine or cetirizine are fine during breastfeeding.

https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/antihistamines/

As @gamerchick says modern antihistamines ok in breastfeeding (but I'd also get a topical treatment on those too)