Help, I'm being eaten alive!

[grumperina]

Is anyone else being plagued by mosquitos and other insects at the moment? I'm currently 16+6 and being eaten alive by mosquitos. It started when we went on holiday a few weeks ago - I was bitten dozens of times and had very bad reactions, but thought it was just from being abroad. But since we got back, I've been bitten 2 or 3 times every night - which wouldn't be too bad except that I've had quite severe reactions to the bites. A couple of days ago, I was bitten on the back of my calf, and the area is now very hot, itchy, red and swollen - I've just measured the red area and it's about 12 x 15 cm . This is pretty typical for me at the moment! I've drawn around the area with a biro because my mum had a similar reaction a couple of years ago - the inflamed area kept growing and when she went to the doctor, she was told that it was infected and she had blood poisoning ...

So, apart from enjoying a good whinge, I wondered:

1. Are you other preggos experiencing this at the mo? Is it just a bad year for mosquitos, or is there something about being pregnant that attracts them (e.g. increased respiration or body temperature )?

1. Is it normal to react this badly to bites? I don't usually swell up this badly, but thought that again it might be something to do with being pregnant?

1. Should I be panicking more about this - and go to see a doctor or pharmacist?

Please help! My skin is in agony and I'm scared to go to sleep at night in case I get bitten ...

I'm having the same issue. Apparently it's normal to attract more mozzies and midges when pregnant - higher body temp, breathing out more CO2 and greater blood volume all mean we attract them more.

If you're reacting badly, I'd see your doctor. Some anti-histamines can be used when pregnant if really needed.

See your gp. Roughly half the time I get bitten I end up on antibiotics for just the same kind of reaction you describe. Turns out I'm also allergic to the bite of a common or garden UK spider

Oh, meant to say, if you're not keen on using deet products to keep the critters away(I'm not even sure the you can when you're pg) then get hold of some lemon stuff. Mozzies don't like lemon so candles with proper lemon oil in are great and also get some of the Original Source shower gel in lemon. It really helps me. I also have a lemon body butter which I keep for holidays!

Yes - was bitten so badly last week thought the house had been infested with fleas! All stopped now though... Hope they stop feasting on you soon.

Thanks for all your replies. Yes, I'm avoiding insect repellents containing deet and the like, so was going to investigate either plug-in insect zappers (not sure if they work?) or citronella candles and stuff. Thanks for the tip about lemon shower gel, buttonmoon78!

I'll monitor the bite that I've drawn around and see if it gets any bigger today. If it does (or if it doesn't go down) I'll go to the gp tomorrow...

The absolute best thing I've found for keeping the buggers away is Avon Skin So Soft dry oil spray.
Apparently its what the SAS use in Scotland. Works a treat and is fine when PG.

I've always been a favourite meal for mosquitoes and the like, every summer I get covered in bites. I always react really badly to them too, huge red lumps like you, that itch terribly.

I haven't noticed it's got worse during pregnancy, haven't noticed it's better either. The only difference I am noticing is it's taking longer for the lumps to go down again, and some of the larger ones turn in to bruises once the initial redness and itchiness has gone away.

We've got some stuff that you put on the skin after a bite and it numbs it, so no itching, which is fantastic. I find the stuff to make you "invisible" to them is useless, they always seem to find me anyway. I've been the same with being scared to go to sleep, I daredn't leave any bit of me uncovered at night as I know if I do I'll be eaten alive.

Hope they leave you alone soon!

I've heard about the Avon Skin so Soft stuff too. Mountain bikers use it to stay midge free.

I currently have 22 mosquito bites on me! but im getting quite good at killing them (the only creature i actually enjoy killing, as much as i hate spids i dont actually like watching them flush away, but mosquitos, oooh!) good idea about the lemon shower gel and cream, might try it.

Wasps- they're another useless addition to the insect world- they exist to eat sugar, wood and sting you....

I can highly recommend Avon skin so soft as I'm not sure that citronella essential oil is recommended in pregnancy as it seems only camomile, lavender and tea tree are allowed. Ooh- perhaps you could put tea tree oil on your bites?