Mosquito bites

[storynanny]

Got bitten last night by possibly mosquito, got the usual bites on my feet picture one, but 2 on my leg, picture 2 look different. Taking antihistamine tabs and cream. Do you think the 2 red ones need someone to look at them tomorrow? Or am I being over concerned?

I think over concerned. Unlikely to be mosquitos if you're in UK. Only see someone if they are getting worse in a few days. Just put cream on and try not to scratch.

Those are very small bites, nothing to worry about. Use hydrocortisone cream on them and oral antihistamine, and whatever you do, don't scratch them.

Thank you, trying very hard not to scratch! The 2 on my legs seem to be spreading out in a red circle so ill keep an eye on them

They will spread out in a circle because youre scratching them ... the more you scratch the greater the inflammatory response

I'm allergic to bites and they always go like this. Don't scratch but if the sweeping and redness spreads go to a doc as it can in rare cases turn into cellulitis which would need antibiotics.

Swelling

Totally normal. Try not to scratch. Anthisane cream from the chemist works well.

A weird tip. To stop the itch point a hairdryer on hot at the bite for as long as you can stand. Move hairdryer away. Point again for as long as you can stand. Repeat about 5 times. No more itch. Magic.

Also lavender oil works well. I live in a very buggy place and get about 5 bites a day if I'm not DEETed up to the eyeballs

Wow, ill try the hairdryer tip tonight thanks

Another tip for getting rid of the itch is to place a teaspoon in just boiled water, remove and place the back of the spoon over the bite for a few seconds. Repeat a few times and voila.... itch gone.

The water must be quite hot enough for the spoon to work but obviously not hot enough to burn you! It really works and is practically instant relief. Keep taking the antihistamines and using the cream though. Every little helps!

If you're getting allergic type responses to insect bites I'd recommend this,.

www.boots.com/boots-bite-relief-click-it-10234814

It destroys the irritant so stops you from getting a reaction.

Thanks for all your advice, the hot tricks certainly helped a bit. Yes I’ve now bought the clicks thing for next time. I took antihistamine tablets for a full 7 days and it wasn’t until yesterday that I felt the bites/stings bumps or whatever they were, start to go down.
Going to liberally spray myself with repellent from now on!

I thought I was the only person on Mumsnet who knew the hairdryer trick (although I find once is usually enough). It was taught to me by a Dr who used to work in the Bahamas and regularly got bitten.