Insect Bite

[cat woman]

Tuesday evening I was out in the garden digging up a dead conifer because of root rot.  When I got to the base there was alot of ants, woodlice and earwigs. Yesturday at work I was suddenly aware that my ankle was itchy which I scratched several times in the day.  Today its much worse, my ankle has swollen up, its hot & red and the bite mark is the size of 5p piece, i have treated it with anti-septic spray and cream but it hasn't made any difference, i'm finding it hard to walk on it, i have a pot of Magnesium Sulphate Paste, but its out of date, has anyone got some tips on how to treat bites. Thank you in advance.   :-)

[silly moo]

Lavender oil helps relieve the itching; anti-histamines help with the allergic reaction; but if it has infected a trip to the doc is prob needed to treat the infection.
Above all DON'T SCRATCH.

[twinkleystar]

 Hi, I would advise getting it checked out, last year I had a bite on the back of my knee. Within days my Knee had swollen up & was very hot! I was admitted to hospital with cellulitous had a 5 day stay & had to cancell my summer holiday!!! Hopefully yours isn't as serious a case as this but best to be safe than sorry!

[auntie sar]

You can get a cream for the chemists called Anthisan. It really takes the itch and swelling out of a bite. If it doen't go down after this you should definitely see a doctor.

[GucciGal]

Yes the anti histamine (normal Boots own hayfever tablets) will help with the itching and should help ease your discomfort.

If you are still worried give NHS Direct a call to ease your mind on 0845 4647

[spudqueen]

I'd show the chemist, they are very knowledgable (spelling?). A couple of years ago I had a nasty bite on my arm which when I showed it to the chemist she sent me to the Doctors straight away. It turned out I was allergic to what ever had bitten me, which I'm sure the Chemist knew but probably wasn't allowed to say.

[ursula62]

Whatever topical application you use, also take antihistamines until the swelling has gone down. Any of the non drowsy ones work just fine, you don't need to buy a specialist "allergy" one.

[cat woman]

Thank you to everyone who has answered my thread, this morning when when i woke-up my foot and ankle had got worse over night, i couldn't put my foot down and sort of hopped and goose stepped across the bedroom floor. I have been to the Doctor this afternoon and she has given me 5 days course of anti-biotics and has told me to keep taking the anti-histamines, she said that the bite was infected and should go down in time. Blimey! i never thought such a little thing could cause so much pain and discomfort!!...

Thank you all again.  Best Wishes cat woman.  :-)