I have an insect bite on my ankle - it is all swollen now......wha should I do??

[andyrobo237]

Ok - was gardening on Monday and noticed that night I had been bitten on the ankle. It was itchy yesterday and today it is now swollen, stiff and painful. Have put antihistamine cream on it, and I already take a hayfever tablet - a antihistimine. It is not getting less but not getting worse either!

Not sure if I should go to the Walk-in centre or not - seems a bit trivial, but...

So thought I'd pollthe good MN listeners!

read my thread about cellulitisy arm.
hopefully it wont develp into that

Oooh lovely - hope I dont get that!

I am off for a bath to see if the warm water makes it feel better and maybe an ibrupofen -I feel a sickie day coming on tomorrow!!! Couldnt possibly drive to work - it is my left foot!!

Go to the docs in the morning. I'm very attractive to all sort of insects and always take an anti-hist if I get bitten. This is after once having been admitted to hospital with lumps on my legs in St Lucia - nice way to spend a holiday.

lavender shower gel or oil repels mosquistos, for future reference. the other night a moquito kept me awake all night with its buzzing, then it bit me and bit my baby! bloody cheeky b**ard

My DS2 had an insect bite on his hand which became infected last week. By the time he told me the bite was bothering him, he had a red line tracking halfway up his arm.
Was told he had to be seen immediately and spent the evening in a and e, where he was prescribed a very large dose of ABs.

Tiggi - that's what I had all over my legs in St L!

Well I had better check for red lines then!!

I was bitten on my thigh whilst at my allotment. It came up in a very itch hard red lump that was red hot. It was mahoosive. Whilst on the loo the next day i knocked the top off it and it ozzed yellow watery stuff (bleugh) then kinda healed over. This continued for about a week and then it was gone. Like it never existed. I'm not suggesting you do what I did - best you go to GP.

This happened to ds's teacher. He needed antibiotics. Go to the GP

I am a Practice nurse and see many insect bites.Usually they look very red,swollen,and area around them is red.This is normal as the bite has caused a reaction,and your skin/tissues are "dealing" with it.

I would imagine that your bath or any heat will irritate it further,better to use something cool to apply.

See if you have any antihistamine ointment that you can apply.

I would wait a week before seeing anyone,as theres not much anyone will do.

Observe for signs of infection,which is difficult as in the early stages of healing it can look pretty nasty, but if it becomes more painful,and hot (it will be in the 1st few days) and the redness spreads extensively.

Carry on taking Antihistamines for 24-48 hours. HTH

And definitely get it looked at sooner rather later if you get any red lines...

Thanks all, esp sawyer64 - it seems to be the same tody - have been putting antihistimine cream on it, and cold compresses - it is in a awkward place for walking as it is right on the ankle joint, so I am taking it easy today!!

Thanks for this advice I was just looking for me and answered what I need.

Mananged to get loads of bites on my back some on my arms and legs from camping, looks like some insects had a feast on me . Not really painful a little itchy and not nice to look at. Will let it self heal for now