large reaction to insect bite -

[NotAQueef]

hello
wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to reduce swelling red area around a bite?
have been bitten on back of my thigh probably by a mosquito (given the reaction I've had) and have red hot itchy swelling covering the width of the back of my thigh and approx 4 inches in length.

have taken antihistamine earlier and sprayed with savlon but it isn't improving - bloody uncomfortable actually.
have put a pic on my profile
any suggestions to reduce discomfort most welcome
thanks

Scratch that, can't upload photo probably for the best

Hmm, draw a line around the perimeter of hte swelling just in case it gets worse...

Waspease - waspeze the spray can stuff is very good.

Expert here .... I've now got prescription antihistamines that are 180mg as opposed to the shop ones that are 10mg so it would seem safe to take another of your antihistamines now.

Vinegar, on cotton wool dabbed on really really takes out the sting, and cold pack. I have been eaten alive this year and huge huge reactions of swelling and itching.

I was taking 2 chemist bought 10mg a day and it wasn't touching it, hence going to the Dr, as I say mine are now HUGE and 18 times stronger

I get quite extreme reactions to mosquito bites - hens egg sized swellings with red welts. Tea tree oil is the most helpful thing I have found for the swelling and itching. The worst reaction was when a bit of proboscis was broken off in the bite (according to a pharmacist I showed it to) so that may have happened here.

I have had to take heavy duty antibiotics when I reacted badly to insect bites.

Dh is super susceptible and has been on anti-bs at least three times. He is very allergic. He is on them now, as it happens.

Bites can get infected. You may need antibiotics. Agree draw in biro round it and monitor size. At that size, I'd prob see gp anyway.

Yy to anti histamine, Clarityn worked well for me with mozzie bites. And hydrocortisone cream on it to stop itching. But yes, you may need anti biotics, either oral or in a cream.

Something repeatedly bit me whilst on holiday in Singapore and I came up in huge liquid filled blisters. I had to have them lanced >_<

I react fairly badly to the mozzies and "noseeums" here. As much as it pains me I try not to scratch them, otherwise I can't stop.

I have blisters now, can feel them through my leggings . had them like this a few years ago on my shins - think they're calls weels? And had them lanced too.
Thanks for the tips, will definitely take another anti-h now wasn't sure it was safe.
Good tip to monitor size as it has gone from the size a 2p to the size it is now since last night. I have just remembered we have calamine lotion from when ds had cp so that might help.
Will go to gp if not better tomorrow.
It's a good job I don't have the legs for don't wear shorts, it looks unsightly.

Tried letting the air get to it, but seemed to make it worse.

I would try taking a different antihistamine too as it's trial and error to find out which ones work best for you as an individual.

Oops wrong thread!!

I had a couple of nasty bites like this recently and it took 24-48 hours for them to go down and a week for them to go completely - keep taking antihistamine and as QOD suggests try a cold pack - it really helped mine and took a bit of the heat out of them.

Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get worse or becomes infected - I had to have my leg lanced once from a mozzie bite when it swelled up - it was quite grim and I wouldn't recommend it

Ah yes, random I was wondering re Cetirizine as have been taking for hayfever but don't seem to really. Will try loratadine, not sure what others there are if any

Oh horrible things aren't they.

We are just back from hols - and DH got an awful bite n the first evening. His whole arm swelled up.

I made him take a couple of antihistamine tablets. Also dabbed on lavender oil -as I find that the best to ease itching and aid healing.

Agree that if it doesn't start to improve get yourself to the docs.

piriton (chlorphenamine) is a different one also telfast (fexofenadine)

DH is in antibiotics at the moment as well. He always reacts badly, but this current bite made his hand blow up like a balloon.

If it doesn't go down by tomorrow, it's probably worth getting an emergency appointment.

Aspivenin is supposed to be very good - I have reactions like yours and so does my dm, but she read about this from a journalist who suffers the same.

I took it to Turkey with me, but haven't had to use it yet (too obsessive with tropical strength wipes and wristbands to get bitten this time, I think! )

Not sure whether it would work on yours now, but maybe something for the future or other posters.

Are the mozzies extra potent this year? I've had a couple of really nasty ones, ended up on antibiotics and any histamines for a couple of weeks this summer.

i never usually react to bites so badly but I had one on my foot which was so painful, I could hardly walk and one on my eyebrow which made one side of my face swell up. I couldn't balance my glasses.

I've been on antibiotics twice in the last few weeks due to infected bites. I really never go to see gp and haven't had antibiotics since, well can't remember! I got bitten on leg. Area around swelled up, went hard and red and very hot. Ankle swelled up too. Gp said it was prob cellulitis and gave me antibiotics straight away. Do see you gp if concerned as infection can spread quickly and cause complications. Cold compress will help it feel better but won't cure any infection if that is what's happened.

Applying mild hydrocortisone cream can help.
Take anti inflamatories such as ibuprofen as well as antihistamines.
If its getting worse please see your gp.