My skin massively overreacts to mosquito bites

[EvangelicalAboutButteredToast]

Is anything I can do to speed up the healing process. The time line is I get bitten, usually on the leg, then I have days of low level throbbing and itching as it gets bigger and redder. Then it takes weeks to slowly calm down and fade away. It’s so unsightly i usually have to cover it with a plaster.

I never itch it. I just hate the time line of the thing. Probably get bitten three or four times a year.

Antihistamines and I find the waspeze spray stuff is amazing.

I feel your pain, it’s the same for me. I take painkillers and apply hydrocortisone cream, which helps.

Heat treatment. It's the only thing that works for me.

I always react very badly. Skeeter syndrome.

Not ideal but the only thing that helps rapidly is a course of steroids from the GP.

Wasn't easy to start with as they kept prescribing antibiotics but now they are aware it is a reaction rather than infection I call and speak to receptionist, send photo and prescription is usually done by the end of the day.

https://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/shop/products/beurer-br90-insect-bite-healer-with-light-0154350?

You need this. Stops it dead as soon as you are bitten.

You need this: Beurer BR60 Insect Bite Healer Pen For The Treatment Of Insect Bites And Stings, Provides Natural Relief From Itching And Swelling Without Medication, Certified Medical Device https://amzn.eu/d/0gkSnUp4

You put it on the bite and it heats up until it's almost unbearable, and it takes the itch away. Sometimes need a few applications for bad ones. You still get a red mark, but the itching is massively reduced.

I also use Anthisan and antihistamines, but the heat pen is the key.

Snap @unsync 😁

Another vote for the Beurer!

what I feel most bitter about is that I can no longer sit in my garden in bright sunshine in England.

8 bites yesterday

https://www.boots.com/boots-bite-relief-click-it-10234814?awaid=2041&utmsource=redbrain&utmmmedium=shopping&utmcampaign=css&gbraid=0AAAAADA7QQL-3J1IE9C4-8TKfT2LgiiCX&utmsource=Redbrain+Ltd-176013&utmmmedium=affiliate&utmcampaign=Comparison+Shopping+Service+%28CSS%29&utmmterm=&utmcontent=&sv1=affiliate&svvcampaignid=176013&awc=204111719063569_48354eef869c0b77b376e2faea3bd253

This little device gives a tiny electric shock and really reduces the bite effects. I've always suffered really badly and use antihistamine pills and cream but this was a game changer.

I take antihistamines for a couple of weeks before and during holidays. And hydrocortisone cream if bitten. You need to speak to someone at the pharmacy to get this but I've never had trouble getting it when I've explained I want it to take on holiday. It just mustn't be used on your face so they check why you want it. Jungle formula and burning mossie coils helps prevent. Ibuprofen and ice packs helps with swelling and sleep with body parts raised if possible. Pillow under the mattress works for this.

@EvangelicalAboutButteredToast I also get badly bitten. Quite often, I have to have anti biotics.

If they swell up and get bigger, you should see a Dr on an emergency appointment or go to A & E as they can be dangerous.

This is what I have learnt to do over the years

I start with lightly marking up the bite with a pen. That's so I can see how much it grows.

A cold icepack on it and using hydrocortisone cream helps. If it continues to grow, you must see a Dr because if the infected area reaches a vein, you can end up with blood poisoning, which is very dangerous.

Also, elevating the infected area when you go to bed is useful. For a leg , put pillows underneath it. For arm bites, a sling

I was very close to being hospitalised and put on an IV drip of antibiotics some years ago, so please do take this seriously.

Because I haven't collapsed yet and stopped breathing, they won't give me an epi-pen.

Oh, and I take anti-histermenes twice a day all year found on GP advice as I can get bitten at any time

PS: I get bitten more at home than abroad

A nurse told me to make up a paste with a soluble aspirin tablet, and smear that on. You obviously have to sit still for a while whilst it dries (then flakes off) but it really helps. I believe it is a histamine reaction but I have no idea of the science behind it.

Never been bitten in the UK by a mozzie. The ones that get me are the European Tiger jobs, oh, and sand flies. I take an antihistamine, and blob on savlon. I can't use HC creams or bite creams as they react with the bites for some reason. I get massive blisters and sometimes bruises.

There is something in one of my garden bushes that kills me. No idea what they are, was covered in red welts and blisters one year. I now avoid that part of the garden!

Ticks only leave a small red bump.

I am obviously very selective in my bite reactions 😂

I blister whenever I get bitten and, despite all efforts to prevent getting bitten, I always do.

Daily antihistamine and let the buggers bite is my solution.

Slightly off subject, but do you find going to the Mediterranean only at certain times of year helps? I was thinking of Sicily next year 2025. Is there a best time to avoid mosquitoes? I NORMALLY TRY AND GO SPRINGTIME, BUT THEN SOMETIMES IT’S VERY COLD AND RAINY 😡 sorry no capital letters intended there!

Although I did get some terrible bites in England one yeah in late August/early September hanging around a park football pitch one evening. Jeans are very good IME for stopping bites on your legs, but obviously one cannot wear these when it’s really hot. Some of the worst bites I got abroad one time were New York gnats hanging around the river edge I spent an afternoon walking along. I think New York gnats are famous.

Me too, it started a few years ago after I had a really bad reaction to a wasp sting. I now have badly scarred forearms and my right arm is now permanently thickened. Antihistamines seem to have no effect and I added to the scarring with the hot teaspoon tip.🙄

Never been bitten in the UK by a mozzie.

Till a few years ago I'd have said the same - but they were mozzie and apparently we have 30 native species but no idea why we were suddenly being bitten.

We've now got screen up at patio doors and some windows. DH was covered one night in bites when it was really hot and he slept downstairs in backroom with door open been fine years before- so he can now do that with netting up at door frame.

I get huge reactions too. Antishan doesn’t work at all for me but a couple of piriton tablets work a treat!

Annoys me so much when people say l to me that I shouldn’t scratch it… i don’t! It’s not my fault my body massively overacts 😂 to a mozzie bite!

I'm a sufferer too.

Marmite helps a lot, marmite in toast for breakfast whether I wanted it or not.
I found this stuff good
www.medibc.com/uk/stingose-gel-25g
Also antihistamines (cetirazine) and hydrocortisone cream do help.

I'm the same. Hot spoon/ hot cloth/ hairdryer. Don't burn your skin but you want it uncomfortably hot for 30 secs.

It really works, I'm just gutted I didn't try it years ago. It does sound counterintuitive but I was so desperate last year when I got bitten all down my leg I would have tried absolutely anything

Antihistamines do help but this is a near instant solution.

Have you tried vinegar to stop the itching?
I have this problem , it helpd it heal up.It dorsn't really jelp swelling but I swear.by it , to heal thrm up quickly .

I also react very badly to sandflies. I get large circular blue and purple bruises round the bites which blister up and are incredibly itchy. I've not found anything to help with those other than time.

Horse fly bites are also difficult to manage. In Scotland we call them cleggs. I often find that they are still itchy weeks or months after the initial bite.

I found household Dettol to be an absolutely godsend for them. I had never heard of it for mossie bites but has huge reactions to them in India a few years ago and this was what was used there.

I get this...does the heat thing only work on new bites ?