Am I going to need antibiotics again?

[Meemaid]

I got bitten (stung?) by a Blandford fly the night before last. I've made sure not to scratch it or anything but the redness is spreading. Pic was last night, it's almost reached my ankle this morning. The original bite was right behind my knee.

I never react to anything apart from these evil creatures. A few years ago I was hospitalised with IV antibiotics for cellulitis after I got bitten by one of them. The pain was unreal, I couldn't walk and they thought I may have a sceptic ankle.

I'm so scared it's going to happen again. I had however scratched it the first time which probably had caused the infection. Am I going to be OK if I didn't scratch this time, or is this redness a bad sign? It feels itchy and swollen, but not painful as such.

Sorry, pic didn't upload the first time

I would cal 111 and ask their advice. I suspect as you had a bad reaction before, you will need antibiotics sooner than later, particularly as the redness is spreading.

From Dr Google antibiotics are rarely needed - usually only after you scratch because the skin is broken causing secondary infection www.deddingtonsurgery.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/New-ajc-Blandford-Fly-Bite-Advice-Sheet.pdf

Given you had a bad reaction before I would ring 111 for advice.

Thank you all!

@RobinHumphries that's so reassuring thank you! I was sent home with sooo many tablets last time I ended up being sick from them, it was not a good time!

So I would really much rather avoid having to take them again.

I will take it easy today as I think it got so red from lots of walking yesterday, and call 111 if it gets worse.

Is it hot to touch ? That would swing it for me to get advice today.

I had this and it escalated really fast. Even whilst I was waiting for the oral ABs to work.

@Rufusischokingalert yes the whole red area is hot to touch. I drew around it and it doesn't seem to have spread further since this morning though thankfully so hoping that will be it now...