Bite Me
Recently while out trail running I think I was bitten. Once or twice, Well actually quite a few times!
I run trails and fells, and while it's been hot and dry I recall that one of my fell runs was post rainfall and boggy and 'insecty'. Not phased too much I wafted the bugs away as I passed through. Later, or the next day I discovered that I had been repeatedly bitten.
At first I blamed the everyday gnat coming in through the window and eating me while I slept. However the bites became quite big and angry looking so I googled them. Horsefly.
I remember swatting away at some of those beasts! Did I need to see a doctor? Luckily no. Although I did ask a couple of the nurses at work to take a quick look! My only reaction was a typical reaction, and so I got some cream to help with the itching.
This blog is a little borrowed advise from the NHS website for bites and stings.
Bites
Wasp or hornet stings causes a sudden sharp pain. A swollen red mark may then form on the skin which can last a few hours and may be painful and itchy.
A few people may experience a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), causing breathing difficulties, dizziness and a swollen face or mouth. Dial 999 for an ambulance immediately if you have these symptoms.
Bee stings feels similar to a wasp sting, but the sting will often be left in the wound.
Serious allergic reactions can also occasionally occur, causing breathing difficulties, dizziness and a swollen face or mouth. Dial 999 for an ambulance immediately if you have these symptoms.
Mosquito bites often cause small red lumps on your skin. These can be very itchy. Some people may also develop fluid-filled blisters.
Mosquitoes don't cause major harm in the UK, but Get medical help right away if you develop worrying symptoms, such as a fever, chills, headaches and vomiting, after a mosquito bite abroad.
Tick bites aren't usually painful, so you may not realise you've been bitten. Symptoms of a tick bite can include: a small red lump on the skin, swelling, itchiness, blistering, bruising. Ticks in the UK can sometimes carry the potentially serious infection Lyme disease, and they should be removed as soon as possible. See your GP if you develop any symptoms of Lyme disease, a "bull's-eye" rash or a fever.
Horsefly bites can be very painful and the bitten area of skin will usually be red and raised. Symptons may include: a large red raised rash (called hives or urticaria), dizziness, weakness, wheezing, part of the body becoming puffy/swollen. Horsefly bites can take a while to heal and can become infected.
Midge/gnat bites look similar to mosquito bites. They cause small red lumps that can be painful and itchy, they can sometimes swell up. Some people may develop fluid-filled blisters.
Treatment
Most insect bites will improve within a few hours or days and can be treated at home.
First Aid
To treat an insect bite or sting:
Remove the sting, tick or hairs if still in the skin.
Wash the affected area with soap and water.
Apply a cold compress (such as a flannel or cloth cooled with cold water) or an ice pack to any swelling for at least 10 minutes.
Raise or elevate the affected area if possible, as this can help reduce swelling.
Avoid scratching the area or bursting any blisters, to reduce the risk of infection – if your child has been bitten or stung, it may help to keep their fingernails short and clean.
Avoid traditional home remedies, such as vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, as they're unlikely to help.
The pain, swelling and itchiness can sometimes last a few days.
Relief
Pain or discomfort
take over the counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
Itching
treatments including crotamiton cream or lotion, hydrocortisone cream or ointment and antihistamine tablets may help
Swelling
try regularly applying a cold compress or ice pack to the affected area, or ask your pharmacist about treatments such as antihistamine tablets
Sourced from and additional information from:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insect-bites-and-stings/
*If in doubt or unsure seek medical advise!
I run trails and fells, and while it's been hot and dry I recall that one of my fell runs was post rainfall and boggy and 'insecty'. Not phased too much I wafted the bugs away as I passed through. Later, or the next day I discovered that I had been repeatedly bitten.
At first I blamed the everyday gnat coming in through the window and eating me while I slept. However the bites became quite big and angry looking so I googled them. Horsefly.
I remember swatting away at some of those beasts! Did I need to see a doctor? Luckily no. Although I did ask a couple of the nurses at work to take a quick look! My only reaction was a typical reaction, and so I got some cream to help with the itching.
This blog is a little borrowed advise from the NHS website for bites and stings.
Bites
Wasp or hornet stings causes a sudden sharp pain. A swollen red mark may then form on the skin which can last a few hours and may be painful and itchy.
A few people may experience a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), causing breathing difficulties, dizziness and a swollen face or mouth. Dial 999 for an ambulance immediately if you have these symptoms.
Bee stings feels similar to a wasp sting, but the sting will often be left in the wound.
Serious allergic reactions can also occasionally occur, causing breathing difficulties, dizziness and a swollen face or mouth. Dial 999 for an ambulance immediately if you have these symptoms.
Mosquito bites often cause small red lumps on your skin. These can be very itchy. Some people may also develop fluid-filled blisters.
Mosquitoes don't cause major harm in the UK, but Get medical help right away if you develop worrying symptoms, such as a fever, chills, headaches and vomiting, after a mosquito bite abroad.
Tick bites aren't usually painful, so you may not realise you've been bitten. Symptoms of a tick bite can include: a small red lump on the skin, swelling, itchiness, blistering, bruising. Ticks in the UK can sometimes carry the potentially serious infection Lyme disease, and they should be removed as soon as possible. See your GP if you develop any symptoms of Lyme disease, a "bull's-eye" rash or a fever.
Horsefly bites can be very painful and the bitten area of skin will usually be red and raised. Symptons may include: a large red raised rash (called hives or urticaria), dizziness, weakness, wheezing, part of the body becoming puffy/swollen. Horsefly bites can take a while to heal and can become infected.
Midge/gnat bites look similar to mosquito bites. They cause small red lumps that can be painful and itchy, they can sometimes swell up. Some people may develop fluid-filled blisters.
Treatment
Most insect bites will improve within a few hours or days and can be treated at home.
First Aid
To treat an insect bite or sting:
Remove the sting, tick or hairs if still in the skin.
Wash the affected area with soap and water.
Apply a cold compress (such as a flannel or cloth cooled with cold water) or an ice pack to any swelling for at least 10 minutes.
Raise or elevate the affected area if possible, as this can help reduce swelling.
Avoid scratching the area or bursting any blisters, to reduce the risk of infection – if your child has been bitten or stung, it may help to keep their fingernails short and clean.
Avoid traditional home remedies, such as vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, as they're unlikely to help.
The pain, swelling and itchiness can sometimes last a few days.
Relief
Pain or discomfort
take over the counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
Itching
treatments including crotamiton cream or lotion, hydrocortisone cream or ointment and antihistamine tablets may help
Swelling
try regularly applying a cold compress or ice pack to the affected area, or ask your pharmacist about treatments such as antihistamine tablets
Sourced from and additional information from:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insect-bites-and-stings/
*If in doubt or unsure seek medical advise!
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