(insect?) bite advice needed

[mumtoh]

I moved to a new house about 5 weeks ago, and when it eventually stopped raining was able to get into the garden to cut the grass, weed etc. First time I did it I was fine (but wearing jeans, socks and trainers), but this week I have got several bites. My son also woke up with a cluster of bites on his legs and lower back, after playing in the garden. I am assuming they are insect bites, we went to the chemist who prescribed hydrocortisone cream, antihistamines and insect repellent. The cream doesn't stop the itching, the anti-histamines made me feel wiped out and just plain weird and the insects still bite even with the repellent! My garden has lots of different plants in it plus a lawn, and there are lots of trees nearby - some at the bottom of the garden and across the road is a wood. We also live in an area where previously (in years gone by, before my house was built in the 90's) it was flooded - as I write this I realise it sounds like ideal insect biting stuff! The bites on my son have happily remained quite small, and the itching didn't bother him too much, but with me the bites have turned bright red, gone into huge bumps and one of them is a bit 'pussy' (prob from scratching). The odd thing is that the bites have all been waist level or below, except this morning when I've woken up with what seems to be a small clump on my hand.
Any tips on how I can ease the itching (which has had me awake most of the night) and prevent the biting? I really love my new house and will be gutted if I can't enjoy the garden - plus there's only me to do the gardening, so I have to come up with a solution! I had heard about taking a vitamin, B6? Also, any plants that will repel insects - and is that what they are? I must admit that with the clusters on my son I thought it might be fleas, but he hasn't been bitten since going in the garden.

Eurax lotion is good for itchy bites

I suspect that they are not bites but an allergic reaction to plants in the new garden. It's not that suprising that your son also has it as there is a strong family tendency to this sort of reaction (atopy). However the treatment that the pharmacist gave you is still correct - both the itchiness of insect bites and of an allergic reaction are caused by histamine release, so anti-histamines should help.

If the antihistamines that you bought aren't helping, your GP can prescribe another one - hydroxyzine - which is only available on prescription.

Other things to help:

1. Wear trousers, not shorts, when gardening
2. Shower after gardening but have the water is cool as you can bear (heat makes histamine-release worse)
3. Use a moisturiser twice a day - make sure it is one that says it is suitable for eczema (not that you have eczema but this will ensure it's the right type)
4. Use a thin layer of hydrocortisone cream twice a day on the itchy areas (Eurax is one brand but make sure it's the type with hydrocortisone in). Don't use hydrocortisone for more than 7 days at a time. Ideally, use the hydrocortisone about 30 minutes after the moisturiser.

We live near a river and loads of mosquitoes about, I usually get bitten badly and everyone else is complaining and scratching but so far insects have left me alone. Couldn't understand why until I realised I'd started using a different soap, I usually use simple soap as have sensitive skin but recently bought some lemongrass soap as it smelled so lovely, hasn't caused any skin problems.
Just looked up lemongrass and it's used as a natural insecticide so worth a try. Can't remember where I got the soap, either Tesco or Waitrose.

Thanks for all the messages, I went to the chemist on Monday and bought MORE stuff - different scratchy cream and antihistamines, tea tree oil and citronella oil. The pharmacist had no advice other than what I've already had. The itching has finally stopped (but I haven't really been in the garden...), but I'm just worried for the next time I go in the garden. I did find out that my neighbour got bitten really badly a few weeks ago too.

Am going to try the lemongrass soap as I love anything citrus scented.

I get bit very frequently - midgies, mosquitos, fleas on friends pets bloooooody love me. I always have a bad reaction, bites come up like golf balls, very itchy and ooooze. I have tried everything! The best combo for me are non- drowsy anti histimines or benadryl cream (it's the only cream I've used that stops the itching!)

As for prevention - Avon Skin so Soft (The SAS use it as a preventer)