Insect bites

[Cokopops]

I have had a few mosquitoes bites lately and I have never experienced such discomfort with hitching. Wondering if hydroxycarbamide has anything to do with that. I would have thought that smart mosquitoes would stay away from my blood!! Has anyone experienced the same? Have a good day

[Spanelmad]

Just been bitten on my face and the swelling and itching were quite extreme.I'm not on drugs at the moment so I'm assuming it's just the MPN im ET (extra blood maybe?)

[Cokopops in reply to Spanelmad]

Thank you for your reply

[Melaniem59]

Yes I have had that too, extreme reaction to stings & bites, platelets contain histamine & as we have extra platelets I guess we have more histamine & therefore more reaction, I don’t understand it completely but know there is some link between the two & a lot of articles online about it

Hope that helps!

[Cokopops in reply to Melaniem59]

Thank you for your reply. Helps to know it’s not my imagination!! What a palaver!!!

[Exeter21]

the reaction is caused by our disease. My insect bites our horrendous now as inflammatory. Slightest infection causes it in skin. I was pickled on a trip to Carribean & had to purchase antihistamine tablets & cream at pharmacy. Even the sprays they managed to ignore 🙈 Julia

[Cokopops in reply to Exeter21]

Thank you for your reply

[AndyT]

I’ve had ET for 21 years and some itching but generally managed insect bites OK.

This year and last I’m reacting much worse to them, with big swellings and strong itching lasting for weeks, so I’m not sure if it’s the ET that’s causing that or bigger, stronger insects/bites due to global warming!

[Cokopops in reply to AndyT]

thank you for your reply

[Alliswell4me_]

I’ve had ET for 24 years & these last 2 years have had to take antibiotics when bitten by any insects. The reaction is so intense with inflammation & itching lasting up to 2 weeks. I’ve been taking hydrea for 12 years but it feels like something is different with the disease now.

[Cokopops in reply to Alliswell4me_]

Yes, you might be right, something has changed. I’ve been on hydroxy for 4 years and it’s the first time I’ve experienced this. I had bites the last few years but not like this. Either the E T has change or the hydroxy…or maybe mosquitoes are more poisonous!😳 Any way, thank for your reply. I’ll mention it to my haematologist next week appointment. Cheers

[Mandz12]

I have never been bit from amy thing and I am on hydroxycarbamide 2 per day x

[Jennytheb]

Strange you should bring this up, last year I was bitten in Majorca just under my eye and it really swelled up and lasted for at least a month, was bitten this year and it has also had an extreme reaction, living dangerously these mosquitos!! Annoying isn't it. Take care.