insect bite infections

[MovingForward4423]

As we know insect bites is something that plagues the entire CLL community. I was wondering if anyone has had prophylactic antibiotics when they travel to prevent infections from bites.

[Poodle2]

I don't think they would prescribe it to prevent infections from bites. Prophylactics are usually prescribed not as a prevention but to support your body if suffering with reoccurring infections regularly. The best person to see in regards to this is an immunologist. You could ask your GP to prescribe you some fucidic acid cream (antibiotics) so you have it in case of a reaction - it works very well for me.

[MovingForward4423 in reply to Poodle2]

Topical creams don’t help me. The bites turn to cellulitis which is deep in the skin. Right now I am carrying a spare box of Flucloxacillin with me, so I have them as soon as the bites turn. As soon as I take the second dose, the bites stop weeping and begin to heal. The issue with travelling is access to doctors, and the cost. I’m likely to loose access to travel insurance if I have to keep claiming between 500 - 1000 pounds for antibiotics and treatment that’s not required. I ended up with IV Antibiotics in the Bahamas, and a 2000 pound bill. Even my consultant said a wide spectrum oral antibiotic would had been suffice. The other issue is outside of the UK they like to prescribe Augmentin which is terrible on the stomach, and makes me very unwell.

[mrsjsmith in reply to MovingForward4423]

This might be worth trying, an old fashioned remedy. At the start of the summer I take brewers yeast, garlic and an antihistamine as I have read they don’t like the smell. Also be careful with any perfume and body lotion you use.

PS when I suffered badly with bites and I had a private doctor an injection of Piriton worked.

Colette

[MovingForward4423 in reply to mrsjsmith]

I really trying to manage post bite symptoms. Even the best repellents don’t offer full protection. The issue is cellulitis is dangerous and having to keep waiting for the bites to be infected before getting treatment. If I get bitten, 95% will get infected.

[Poodle2 in reply to MovingForward4423]

You should see a specialist if you suffer so badly. Have you seen an immunologist yet?

[MovingForward4423]

Done that, and it’s related to the CLL so nothing they can solve unfortunately.

[Ellieoak]

The antibiotics only prevent infections in bites that have been scratched open. they don't do anything to prevent you from getting a bite. you need to use DEET to prevent bites or stay indoors. Though one of my friends said that the people who cut her mothers grass spray something to kill mosquitos. it might be wise to check into that.

[MovingForward4423 in reply to Ellieoak]

Yes I am aware of that, but repellents are not 100% successful.

[onu1tadi2]

What kind of insects? Where? I doubt they plague our entire community. People who do not have this problem do not speak up.

[kitchengardener2]

I was always targeted by insects pre diagnosis and throughout my watch and wait period. Once I started treatment with Acalabrutinib, they didn't bother me too much . However, we weren't travelling abroad much then due to the pandemic. When we started travelling again last winter, I didn't get bitten much. I have decided to take a low dose over the counter antihistamine for a week before my holiday and during it. I read somewhere that with a buildup, you are unlikely to suffer as badly.

[MovingForward4423 in reply to kitchengardener2]

I tried that and it didn’t help. It is almost that insects can smell CLL, or is it just the reaction. For me the bites AlWAYS get infected. I’m going to speak to my GP to give me antibiotics to carry with me in business trips.

[RosettaClapp in reply to MovingForward4423]

dont suppose you are diabetic, are you?evidently diabetics are attractive to many insects ..im not diabetic but husband is he gets bitten often and I seldom do (I have had cLL for 16 years now)

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to RosettaClapp]

Apparently there’s little evidence that diabetics are more attractive to biting insects. It was thought that ‘sweeter blood’ may attract the but it’s not based in science. People with type O, higher metabolic rate (especially from exercise) and those who have ingested alcohol attract mosquitoes more easily.

I’m diabetic and am rarely bitten whereas my non diabetic husband is a magnet to them.

Regards,

Newdawn

[MovingForward4423 in reply to Newdawn]

Why some people are magnets and some are not, we will probably never know. If mosquitoes went extinct tomorrow, I would be a happy man.

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to MovingForward4423]

You’d be in a cast of millions with those wishes MF! 😉

Newdawn

[kensim9 in reply to MovingForward4423]

I'm sure it's because we tend to sweat more and tend towards radiating heat more than others, and thus get bitten more. Deet, citronella candles etc or midge facemask for certain times in Scotland 😁

[kitchengardener2 in reply to MovingForward4423]

I have two different antibiotics which I get on 'keep safe prescriptions) these are one which targets UTIs and other lot for chest infections. I also take Co Trimoxazole and Aciclovir. In May this year in Spain I got two nasty bites, they didn't get infected but I checked by email with my CNS. She said if they did get infected, I must seek medical assistance at once. We are going away again shortly so my antibiotics will go with me. I also have lavender oil and tea tree oil plus Avon Skin So Soft spray which is supposed to help.I don't know what else to suggest. Try to keep safe from these flying pests.

In Majorca this year people have suffered dreadful bites, not from mosquitoes but something much smaller and called locally 'the noseeums '

[kablea]

I thought it was agreed that antibiotics should not be used unless absolutely essential. In addition, The Times last saturday reported that people who had used antibiotics in the previous year had doubled their chances of sepsis. If you had used antibiotics more often then your chances of sepsis were up two or three times. It is clear that the antibiotics damage the valuable flora in the gut.

[MovingForward4423 in reply to kablea]

LOL, Well if you have a suppressed immune you don’t really have a choice. Cellulitis is a serious condition that can quickly escalate to sepsis. I think everyone is missing the point. The questions was “Has anyone taken antibiotics prophylactically to prevent insect bites becoming infected” I think we can safely say the answer is no. As an update, I just spoke to my GP who has agreed to prescribe an antibiotic to carry with me on my travels.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to kablea]

MovingForward4423 is absolutely correct and as you say, sometimes antibiotics can be absolutely essential, including when you get seriously enough infected insect bites. I probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the appropriate use of antibiotics several times. Of note, once was after the development of cellulitis from a presumed insect bite, from my GP's examination of the cellulitis origin, which then resulted in lymphangitis. A week of IV antibiotics saved me from developing sepsis. My chronic neutropenia didn't help either.

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

Neil

[RosettaClapp in reply to kablea]

surely the taking of antibiotics says there was an infection that need them? and multiple infections probably says something about the state of the individuals immune system

[MovingForward4423 in reply to RosettaClapp]

Correct, I’m in remission and still I struggle with bacterial infections. I’ve not had even a sniffle or flu for coming on 2 years. One mosquito bite, and it’s infected.

[Sepsur]

interestingly I used to be a mosquito lure before treatment - during 2yrs of treatment , mosquitoes didn’t touch me. I went to Italy this autumn & got eaten alive again AND they all went septic!!

[W00dfin]

Ask your doctor to prescribe an antibiotic ointment called Mupirocin. OTC antibiotic ointments have no effect in preventing infection of my cuts and scratches and insect bites. For the bites I use the little spot bandaids with Mupirocin.

[MovingForward4423 in reply to W00dfin]

Had that, doesn’t work as the infection is deep in the skin.

[Pearlpink]

hi. I have had to have a stock of clarithromycin at home in case of mosquito bites for about four years. I started before my cll was diagnosed (but looking back I had CLL at the time). I went to see a dermatologist as I was so worried that people wouldn’t prescribe them. The dermatologist said I was developing cellulitis within 24 hrs each time, and that I had to have a stock at home. Weirdly, with my V&O, mosquitos didn’t go for me either! (Clarithromycin not allowed with V&O).

Cellulitis is dangerous. Someone without CLL is less likely to develop it with a mosquito bite.If there’s any break in the skin cellulitis is very likely. It is recognised that some people with CLL get a hypersensitive reaction. I think it’s very important the gps etc realise that normal antibiotic rules do not apply to us. We are in the high risk category. Because of our poor immunity it is important that we get antibiotics earlier than normal if we need it.

Of course, if we don’t need them, then avoid. X

[MovingForward4423 in reply to Pearlpink]

100%!