Horrendous bites

[MrsPelligrinoPetrichor]

DH has been bitten badly 5 x on one ankle and once on the other. Look like horse fly bites and he's had an allergic reaction.

He's in a really state so ended up at A and E yesterday and they gave him 2 weeks worth of antibiotics 4x a day.

He's taking anti histamine -would Piriton be better rather than the one a day sort?

It's swollen worse than a break and so red and nasty it makes me wince to look at!

He's taking Nurofen and using hydrocortisone and Antisan cream.

Elevating it with ice.

Anything else he can do?

Poor man, piriton makes you drowsy and gives you a terrible dry mouth. Is he using hospital hydrocortisone, it might be a different strength. Does he need dressings on them, if you think they are looking worse I would seek medical advice again. Could he post a pic without getting too stressed and upset.

The antibiotics should start to work soon, possibly tomorrow. Get him
To keep his leg raised as much as possible. They're really nasty I know. Oh and check the hot red isn't spreading, if it does, he needs further medical attention.

There are different drugs in different antihistamines; it will tell you on the packet. You can mix them.

Ice wrapped in a towel on the area and keep it raised if possible. Put a pillow under the foot end of the mattress at night.

I respond really badly to horsefly bites BUT you can significantly reduce the reaction if you get on it quickly. I find that if I can apply anthisan and take antihistamines within 15mins that they're ok (like a mosquito bite) and go within a day or two. So your DH will probably benefit from carrying stuff with him when it's hot.

Oh and use insect repellent on any exposed skin

I repeat the anthisan application after 10-15minutes as it's always still itching/hurting

The bites look a bit different than yesterday, like they're drying out and healing but the redness I am sure is spreading. I've marked it with a biro to monitor it.

Not got hospital hydrocortisone cream.

I don't think drowsy will harm him tbh, he works from home but should've taken today off with his foot up.

He definitely needs to carry cream with him in the summer. This is the second time this had happened but last time there was a tracking line and it was obvious he needed medical attention.

I would use paracetamol instead of Nurofen as NSAIDs can make allergic reactions worse.

For a few days it will be fine to give Piriton as wel as a one a day AH.

Cold flannels and a cool bucket of water to immerse the ankle will help too.

Ah ok, he had Nurofen earlier, I'll tell him no more then.