Insect bites...

[TommyC]

Following a silly decision to have a topless day in the garden last weekend (calm down, ladies..) I now have a lump the size of a fifty-pence coin on my upper arm, from an insect that I think (I hope) I managed to kill in the process. It swelled alarmingly for two days, red, tight, very hot to the touch and unbearably itchy. It's going down very slowly but the itching is much the same even after four days... Any ideas to help it heal quickly, please...? Please don't say Piriton or any other variety of itch suppressant, because I've tried them all over the years and I appear to be immune to their effect.

[woofgang]

there's a cream called eumovate which I have found helpful, also some stuff from liz earle called sunshade botanical after sun gel which is very cooling and soothing (I am one of those who are loved and eaten by biters on ever occasion) liz earles website http://www.lizearle.com

[DuzyEverwork]

Easy and cheap but not for the squeemish. Ordinary household soda (about 60p a packet) get a fairsized holdable piece, spit on it (yes, really) and rub on the bite, leave it to dry and hey presto, no more itch, no more pain. It works for mozzie bites too... enjoy! :o) Trudi

[Cetti]

Have you tried the juice/gel from the Aloe Vera plant? This has been used for centuries for bites, stings and burns. The cure/ relief is almost instant. All you need to get is a small plant, keep it in the kitchen - snap a piece off the leaf and apply the jelly that oozes out.

[coemgen]

I was once attacked by bedbugs and was absolutely covered in bites just like yours. I took piriton by mouth which helped and also used a tube of bite and sting relief which can be bought over the counter in any chemist. I was also advised by a doctor to apply hot (as hot as you can stand it) water to the bites to ease soreness and itching.

[TommyC]

Many thanks for all of your suggestions - I'll try the lot..(because I'm worth it.. :o) )