Insect Bites - Advice

[Greenmantle]

Don't live in the Highlands but Buckinghamshire.
Last couple of times that I have gone out to cut the grass after 5pm I have been bitten maybe 100 times. Arms, legs and neck.
This is not the first season but never so severe.
No open water near me.
What and why is doing this?
Just looking at covering up rather than t-shirt and shorts.

[Skodillac]

Yes it's looking like a bad season - I'm getting bitten in the garden here in Berks/Oxon borders. Probably something to do with the weather over last winter and the very warm spring.

Cover up after sunset, and buy one of these, they honestly work miracles. I don't go anywhere without mine now.

https://www.beurer.com/uk/l/insect-bite-healer

[croyde]

Just walking around the parks and alleyways of SW London, and I'm sure I have not seen so many bugs before.

I'm swallowing them and every day I'm picking them out of my nose and eyes.

Have made a mess of the front of my car too.

[Shooter McGavin]

Avon Skin So Soft, as recommended by The Royal Marines.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-mar...

It really does work. Available via Amazon if you no longer live in the 1970s and have ‘the Avon lady’ coming round!

[M1AGM]

Shooter McGavin said:

Avon Skin So Soft, as recommended by The Royal Marines.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-mar...

It really does work. Available via Amazon if you no longer live in the 1970s and have the Avon lady coming round!

This. Been using it for years with much success when I remember to use it.

Maybe unrelated but 3 years ago I got prescribed Ramipril for high BP and since then I get bitten a lot more. I’m guessing the horseflies like it?

[b14]

It's annoying but a good thing of course. Last year was weird with very few flying insects, this year was glad to see them back in strength. Still though, getting bitten by mozzies in your own garden in England feels a bit unusual.

[croyde]

Only time a fly put me in hospital was in Wandsworth.

Horsefly bite, I ended up with cellulitis.

Traveled to many of the tropics and the baddest bite had to be good ol' SW London

[Du1point8]

croyde said:

Only time a fly put me in hospital was in Wandsworth.

Horsefly bite, I ended up with cellulitis.

Traveled to many of the tropics and the baddest bite had to be good ol' SW London

Just had this a few weeks ago, didnt clear up so GP thought it was lymes disease... Either way its been 4+ weeks on antibiotics and thats been fun.

Same as you I have been all over the world and been a chew toy for the best of them, then SE London kicks my arse.

[croyde]

Du1point8 said:

croyde said:

Only time a fly put me in hospital was in Wandsworth.

Horsefly bite, I ended up with cellulitis.

Traveled to many of the tropics and the baddest bite had to be good ol' SW London

Just had this a few weeks ago, didnt clear up so GP thought it was lymes disease... Either way its been 4+ weeks on antibiotics and thats been fun.

Same as you I have been all over the world and been a chew toy for the best of them, then SE London kicks my arse.

We need to start a club

[Mobile Chicane]

Midges have been ferocious this year.

I already know not to be so stupid as to sit out after sundown, but I've been bitten in the day as well.

[jmn]

Should you be unfortunate enough to be bitten by a tick please check the NHS advice on how to remove it and what symptoms to look out for.

Lymes Disease can result from a tick bite and is potentially very serious.

[POIDH]

M1AGM said:

Shooter McGavin said:

Avon Skin So Soft, as recommended by The Royal Marines.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-mar...

It really does work. Available via Amazon if you no longer live in the 1970s and have the Avon lady coming round!

This. Been using it for years with much success when I remember to use it.

Maybe unrelated but 3 years ago I got prescribed Ramipril for high BP and since then I get bitten a lot more. I m guessing the horseflies like it?

Skin so soft does naff all other than drown them one by one. One of the worst urban myths out there.
Use a proper treatment.

[Greenmantle]

POIDH said:

M1AGM said:

Shooter McGavin said:

Avon Skin So Soft, as recommended by The Royal Marines.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-mar...

It really does work. Available via Amazon if you no longer live in the 1970s and have the Avon lady coming round!

This. Been using it for years with much success when I remember to use it.

Maybe unrelated but 3 years ago I got prescribed Ramipril for high BP and since then I get bitten a lot more. I m guessing the horseflies like it?

Skin so soft does naff all other than drown them one by one. One of the worst urban myths out there.
Use a proper treatment.

That's a shame since I have a bottle of it tucked away at the back of the medicine cabinet just in case I have the urge to venture north of Glasgow Again!

Anyway I am now researching on clothing instead. Not sure of this netting stuff? I can put on some thin leggings that I use for running but I am struggling with a long sleeved base layer that keeps you cool rather than insulating.

[rallye101]

croyde said:

Du1point8 said:

croyde said:

Only time a fly put me in hospital was in Wandsworth.

Horsefly bite, I ended up with cellulitis.

Traveled to many of the tropics and the baddest bite had to be good ol' SW London

Just had this a few weeks ago, didnt clear up so GP thought it was lymes disease... Either way its been 4+ weeks on antibiotics and thats been fun.

Same as you I have been all over the world and been a chew toy for the best of them, then SE London kicks my arse.

We need to start a club

One of my guys called in sick last week after itching a bite on his leg, he was in bed for 5 days waiting for a doctors appointment and didn't go to a "walk in centre" that I'd suggested....
He's just had his leg amputated.....unclear as to what happened just yet but it was some form of massive infection

[Timetoleave]

It’s everywhere ! Remember Le Mans’ cars this year all splattered with record number of bugs. It’s because the necessary birds (swallows at LeMans) haven’t migrated yet and haven’t eaten the little pests.

[jagnet]

jmn said:

Should you be unfortunate enough to be bitten by a tick...

A tick? I picked 10 off me this afternoon. A personal best.

As well as Lyme disease, also be aware of Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Not as common in the UK, but very prevalent in Europe.

[croyde]

rallye101 said:

croyde said:

Du1point8 said:

croyde said:

Only time a fly put me in hospital was in Wandsworth.

Horsefly bite, I ended up with cellulitis.

Traveled to many of the tropics and the baddest bite had to be good ol' SW London

Just had this a few weeks ago, didnt clear up so GP thought it was lymes disease... Either way its been 4+ weeks on antibiotics and thats been fun.

Same as you I have been all over the world and been a chew toy for the best of them, then SE London kicks my arse.

We need to start a club

One of my guys called in sick last week after itching a bite on his leg, he was in bed for 5 days waiting for a doctors appointment and didn't go to a "walk in centre" that I'd suggested....
He's just had his leg amputated.....unclear as to what happened just yet but it was some form of massive infection

I ended up hobbling into a walk in centre who then moved me to the hospital opposite.

Said that I could have faced amputation if I had waited longer.

From a horsefly bite in Wandsworth.

[awooga]

Smidge is now the repellent of choice up here on the west coast of Scotland. Works superbly. Skin so soft works mostly by creating a layer of oil that the midges struggle to get a grip for a nibble, but it's better than nothing. Horseflies don't seem to be put off by anything.

If you are bitten then 1% hydrocortisone cream from the chemist works brilliantly and really really quickly. I've also got an ammonia pen that also stops the itching and reduces the swelling dramatically. Those zapper clicker pens that you can get from amazon also take all the sting out if your skin is a bit too sensitive for ammonia or steroids.

[M138]

croyde said:

I ended up hobbling into a walk in centre who then moved me to the hospital opposite.

Said that I could have faced amputation if I had waited longer.

From a horsefly bite in Wandsworth.

They’re bds. Use to get bit by them when my then garden backed onto the river. Usually on the arm which use to swell up.