Is this cellulitis?

[Ambernectarine22]

Something (I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a wasp) stung me through my leggings while I was out walking on Saturday. The darker area shown is about 7cm diameter, with swelling that stretches 14cm from central bite/sting down towards knee. Is it cellulitis, or just an allergic reaction? I couldn’t get to a pharmacy today and don’t want to overburden the nhs!

Draw around the red area with a Sharpie and see if the area grows bigger beyond the outline you've drawn or the redness starts visibly tracking outwards along the blood vessels. The whole area, not just the red part looks swollen in your second photo. Does it feel hot to the touch Have you taken an antihistamine at all?

Bottom line if you're concerned is to call 111 and speak someone who can actually help rather than the likes of me on the internet.

@WeAreTheHeroes Good advice, thanks! I’ve been slathering it with antihistamine cream. Came on here because the combined wisdom of Mumsnetters is unsurpassable!

Sounds like it could be a horsefly bite (I was bitten through trousers by one - though I didn’t know it was that at the time!) as others have said, draw round the edge of the red part. Try taking an oral antihistamine as that may have more effect than the cream would. If it spreads or doesn’t go down then definitely get checked by a Dr as it may need antibiotics

More than likely a wheal and flare reaction to a bite.

Have you taken a tablet antihistamine or just put cream on? The cream is incredibly limited to what it can do compared to taking a proper dose of antihistamine.

I got stung on Saturday and it was pretty similar (in my bloody hand, stingy bastard). It's only today that it has gone down (antihistamine cream and tablets)

Along with antihistamine you can try ibuprofen (if you're ok to take it), it's an anti inflammatory so will help to reduce inflammation. Ice therapy may also help.

To me, it just looks like a bad bite but if you develop other symptoms then seek proper advice

Thanks all. I’ve drawn on myself and taken your advice re oral antihistamines. Sorry to hear about your skirmishes with insects @Pieceofpurplesky and @LovedFedAndNoonesDead

I had similar and was told by pharmacist to take Allevia as Zirtek was not helping. Apparently it's better in some way? Anyway, it works

I had similar after a wasp sting. Red, hot to touch, sore. Showed it to a pharmacist who said it looked like cellulitis - and it was. Worth a pharmacist trip?

This is cellulitis. This was caused by an insect bite. This was about 50 hours after I was bitten and I'd already been put on antibiotics at this point. They take 36-48 hours before they really start to work.

Cellulitis does not always look like this.

@caringcarer That looks awful! I hope you have made a full recovery now.

Thanks all for your reassurance and advice.

@Defiantlynot41 I'd never heard of Allevia. Good to know. Thank you!

Take liquid Piriton alongside the antihistamine cream and you can also use hydrocortisone cream, just not at the same time. Ice it and make sure it doesn't spread.Looks like a reaction but try and get a pharmacist to look at it.

What is this? My right lower leg swollen now upper and rash that has spread everywhere. Left lower leg starting to swell. Right leg hard to touch feels like muscles with lines like stretch marks

You would be better starting your own thread. But could it be sun burn? Allergic reaction?

If it's getting worse I'd go a&e

Take anytime histamine and if it doesn't help then go to hospital.