Remember your insect repellent! Horse fly bi... - Bridge to 10K

Bridge to 10K

16,516 members26,546 posts

Remember your insect repellent! Horse fly bites are not good for us runners 😫

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10
73 Replies

I got bitten by a horse fly yesterday and the swelling is probably going to get in the way of my running ☹️ It’s on my inside thigh and so movement might be a bit restrictive. The heat from it is already melting any ice applied to it quite quickly 🙄

Honestly, I should know better because I have a bad reaction to insect bites and should start wearing repellent much earlier than summer but tend to forget until that first nip!

This subject came up three years ago on the forums and Oldfloss had a very nasty tale about a horse fly bite and ended up in hospital! I then did a bit of research and posted the results so I thought it would be useful to post again. Every point, while humorous, is accurate and there is obviously a serious underlying message which is… remember insect repellent!

Stay safe fellow runners 🙂

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Written by
Irishprincess profile image
Irishprincess
Graduate10
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
73 Replies
Stephen_UK profile image
Stephen_UKGraduate10

Very sorry to hear this, IP. Hope you recover swiftly.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toStephen_UK

Thanks Stephen. Two days before HM training starts 🙄

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate10 in reply toIrishprincess

😑 nooooo!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toBluebirdrunner

I know Jan! I know 🙄

Stephen_UK profile image
Stephen_UKGraduate10 in reply toIrishprincess

You will bounce back. I have no doubt about that.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toStephen_UK

🙂👍

Arrreegggghh bites and bugglies I dislike most flying thingies ( bumblebees excluded 🥰) and let's not mention midges ouch 😢.....

Perhaps we should all invest

Bug zapper
Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply to

oh don't get me started on midges 😱 We’ve got one of those fly squatter things at home but it might be a bit cumbersome to take it out on a run! The thing is I saw the little monster on my thigh and grabbed him and got him in my palm and squeezed but then I opened my fist and he flew off 🤬 I obviously didn’t squeeze tightly enough. He’s probably waiting for me again to get his revenge…..

in reply toIrishprincess

Oh crikey you're gonna need a running disguise 😎

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply to

They smell our blood apparently, no disguise will trick them ☹️

in reply toIrishprincess

And they have sonar and call notes apparently ( midges) the female they say is prone to biting more often than not men, when she's found a suitable victim it's a midge free for all as they attack 👀🦟🐜🐞🦋🐝

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply to

Very clever when you think about it……😩

SeeJillRun profile image
SeeJillRun60minGraduate

I always use insect repellent but I’m now wondering if I should be spraying my clothes if the blighters can bite through them??

Hope your bite is better soon! 🤞xx

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toSeeJillRun

Hello Jill! How lovely to see you again. Are you still running? I hope everything is good for you.

I know! I didn’t realise, until I did the research, that they could bite through clothes 😡

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toIrishprincess

That's how mine got me !!!!

SeeJillRun profile image
SeeJillRun60minGraduate in reply toOldfloss

Yikes! Time to invest in some spray to go with my roll on I reckon! Xx

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toSeeJillRun

Jungle Formula comes in an aerosol spray which is easy to use…

SeeJillRun profile image
SeeJillRun60minGraduate in reply toIrishprincess

I’ll definitely be getting some of that! Thanks xx

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toIrishprincess

Yes they certainly can. They used to bite through my jeans or jodhpurs when I rode horses. HATE them!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Through jeans!!!!!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toIrishprincess

Yep. They’re vicious. 😩😩😩😩😩😩

SeeJillRun profile image
SeeJillRun60minGraduate in reply tocheekychipmunks

😮😩😭

SeeJillRun profile image
SeeJillRun60minGraduate in reply toIrishprincess

I hadn’t run for a long time thanks to sciatica and hip bursitis but I started again recently. I’ve missed it so much, so glad to be back out there 😁

Luckily all my running gear bar one pair of leggings is light coloured but I’ll be sure to douse myself all over in future, I hate insect bites 😡xx

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toSeeJillRun

Once a runner always a runner 🙂 xxx

SeeJillRun profile image
SeeJillRun60minGraduate in reply toIrishprincess

So true! Xx

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate10

Ouchey!😣 Sorry to hear about your horse fly bite IP, I hope it begins to settle soon. Nasty little blighters ( blightessesses just read your linked post, and it's the females that bite!)

I will definately be applying insect repellent from now on, as I have had one of those nasty nips myself....

Thank you for the heads up...

Maybe I run slowly enough to get under their radar 🤔😉😎xxx

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toBluebirdrunner

It’s my own fault Jan because I know there are horse flies around at this time of year and I know I should wear insect repellent every time I go outside but every year I forget (🙄) and get bitten by something! I must make an effort next year and do this properly 😂

But they are nasty and we can do well without them in our running lives.

I hope you’re all well xxx

sparky66 profile image
sparky66Graduate10

Sorry to hear this IP , hope it settles soon and doesn't impact your training too much 🙏

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply tosparky66

Thanks Sparky. I’m hoping it’ll be much better tomorrow 🤞

sparky66 profile image
sparky66Graduate10 in reply toIrishprincess

I read that vitamin B supplement can deter insect bites!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply tosparky66

Yes I read that too…

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10

Oh my goodness ouch!!! The dreaded horse fly!!!! Eek. .I took notice of your post then and so far. So good!!!Keep an eye on it...and, as the Dr who saw me, told me, cold Nivea or any cold cream.. ( pop in the fridge), will ease the heat and the itching...

Hope it eases xx

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toOldfloss

I immediately thought of you Floss when I saw the little blighter and realised I had been bitten! I’ve got cream on it and ice packs (very soothing) and taken an anti-histamine and am hoping the heat goes from it tomorrow. I can’t believe I was so careless and wore shorts in the garden with no insect repellent 🙄 xxx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toIrishprincess

I still think of you and that post... I am so aware of being bitten again..I have a reverse hypodermic insect thing at the van and in the car. ..and have hydrocortisone cream that is the strength of the European brands....It was horrid and I really hope yours settles down xx

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toOldfloss

I’ve put hydrocortisone cream on it but I use to have anti-histamine cream which was brilliant but I’ve not got any left ☹️ Not sure which one is better …. xxx

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10

Arggggh horseflies IP, the devil insect. I’m sorry you were “got”. I know what you mean about the bites swelling up. And the itching is horrific. 😩😩😩

Have you ever encountered Bavarian horseflies? They’re huge and make the ones over here seem sweet and harmless. I was attacked by them three summers ago when we were there on hols. Ohhhhh, the ooze, it went on for days and my legs looked like aliens. 😖😩

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Ouch Munks 😱 no!!! And I don't ever want to encounter Bavarian horseflies!!! They sound horrific. You sound like me, any insect within a mile radius makes a direct flight to my skin. I’ve been on holiday with friends and I’m the only one that ever gets bitten 🤬

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toIrishprincess

Me too IP. I joke to my friends and family that they don’t need insect repellent if I’m around. They all gravitate towards me; midges, mosquitoes, horseflies - anything bitey. 😩 We must have similar delicious blood! 😅

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

I wonder if Dracula would have made a beeline for us too Munks…… 🧛‍♂️😱

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toIrishprincess

Yes, more than likely IP 🧛‍♀️

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toIrishprincess

Check out this Bad Boy …..

Horsefly
Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

😱 horrible looking things 🤬

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate10

Ouch! Someone I knew years ago had a really bad horsefly bite and needed steroids for the swelling.

In early June last year I had several badly infected red spider mite bites on both legs that delayed me restarting my attempt at C25K.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply tonowster

It’s a jungle out there! 😱

Oldgirlruns profile image
OldgirlrunsGraduate10

Ooh ouch IP! Fortunately we don’t really see them too much here on the coast but I remember all too clearly how horrible they can be! Hope you heal swiftly!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toOldgirlruns

Thank you! Another reason why I prefer winter running 🙂

Magellan profile image
MagellanGraduate10

You poor thing, they are the worst.

I have had bites in places where there is rubbing, it was okay when I covered the bite with a dab of ointment, then a small Elastoplast, then the largest size of Compeed.

I hope your bite heals well.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toMagellan

I have a bad reaction to bites and the area around swells up. When my husband gets a mosquito bite (rarely) it’s a pin prick, whereas my bite site is the size of a melon and inflamed 😫 hence the disruption to running ☹️

It’s a bit better this morning 👍

Lizcanrun profile image
LizcanrunGraduate10 in reply toIrishprincess

That's absolutely the same with us! Glad you're feeling a bit better this morning.

Magellan profile image
MagellanGraduate10 in reply toIrishprincess

Me too. I reckon our husbands don’t get bitten because we’re right there and much more appetising. The only time mine gets bites is if I’m not around. I wish there was an inanimate version of me for me to use as a distraction like my husband uses me!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toMagellan

😂😂

Beatlesforever profile image
BeatlesforeverGraduate10

Ouch! A very good post, thank you for the warning, I'm terrible when it comes to insect repellent 😱 hope your bite heals soon x

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toBeatlesforever

I should bookmark this post to remind myself this time next year 😏

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingGraduate10

Aw! Sorry to read this. Get well soon. 🌸🏃‍♀️

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toover61andstilltrying

Thank you! A bit better this morning 👍

Lizcanrun profile image
LizcanrunGraduate10

Ew! I HATE bitey insects, but they LURVE me! I've already bought myself some deet for the 'summer'. When they get me I get huge, painful lumps. Hope yours gets better soon.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toLizcanrun

I sympathise, they're horrible. It’s yet another reason why I prefer winter running ❄️

linda9389 profile image
linda9389Graduate10

Written in the days when masks were for diy!!!Heal quickly IP - that sounds nasty.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply tolinda9389

Haha yes Linda! I noticed that too when I re-read my old post 😂 who would ever have predicted what was coming up?

Mormor1 profile image
Mormor1Graduate10

Sorry to hear that IP. Would taking an anti histamine before you start help? When I started keeping bees I used to take one on inspection days to mitigate the affects of stings.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toMormor1

That’s a very sensible idea but I’m outside every day if I can, running, walking, gardening and I’m one of those people who doesn’t take medication unless I have to.

Once I get the insect repellent on and the right clothes then I’m usually protected well.

Slinkymalinki profile image
SlinkymalinkiGraduate10

Oh no! Poor you - hope it calms down soon. I'm one of the chosen tasty ones too...🤣

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toSlinkymalinki

It’s a bit better this morning Slinky but no running ☹️

Vragtes profile image
VragtesGraduate10

Been bitten myself a few times. Apart from antihistamine creams, also take an oral antihistamine such as Piriton or one of the non-drowsy brands. Cheap as chips in Wilkos.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toVragtes

Yes I’m taking an anti-histamine pill….. it all helps 🙂

JulieByf profile image
JulieByf

Last year I got bitten by an insect on my shin. One visit to doctors, one visit to the hospital (where they wanted to keep me in! They only let me go home at 2am if I promised to go back by 7am) and 5 courses of antibiotics later was I ok. They were worried it was going to turn into sepsis. Needless to say, me and my insect spray are now best friends, even though I dislike the stuff.

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate10 in reply toJulieByf

Cellulitis is another possibility for a bite that isn't treated promptly.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toJulieByf

How scary! And 5 courses of antibiotics 😱 just shows how nasty some of these bites can get. I don’t mind the Jungle Formula aerosol spray, it’s easy to apply and smells ok.

JulieByf profile image
JulieByf in reply toIrishprincess

I'll give it a try. Some of the insect sprays get right down your throat and make you cough and splatter.

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate10

I felt a tiny black insect biting me on the inside of my left wrist just before the end of yesterday's run. Ouch! I'm afraid it turned into a smear on my kit a fraction of a second later. I can still see the dot of site where it bit. It's not infected.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply tonowster

There are so many insects flying around at this time of year and how come they’ve got all that air space but still come too close around us 🤬

JulieByf profile image
JulieByf

Midges are attracted to sweat so we must run with decorum and not perspire at all for safety's sake 😁

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply toJulieByf

🥵🥵

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Week off from running

Hi It seems that I have taken a week off, lol. I was too tired to run on Sunday and my alarm went...
backintime profile image
Graduate10

Help

After my week of insect bite imposed rest I got back on the treadmill and only just managed 2k :......
backintime profile image
Graduate10

New running buddy for my friend.

One of my friends from our running group told me of her 10K on Sunday morning. As it was very cold,...

It is official...Running is good for your health... and your ego !

Up, not so early after a slightly restless night... and out into the morning. The Close quiet and...
Oldfloss profile image
Administrator

(Not) parkrun/ Virtual 5K

Good morning everyone. Well it is a gorgeous day here. And it is time for (not) parkrun again. I...
damienair profile image
Administrator

Moderation team

See all
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator
Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministrator
Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.