Mosquito bites

[York666]

Hi can someone please advise. I'm in Italy on holiday and am covered in mosquito bites that look quite angry. Currently on hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate which I'm due to take latter weekly dose today but not sure if I should or not. TIA

[Amnesiac3637]

If you can find an English speaking pharmacist go and ask them. Can’t see why you couldn’t take your medication as mosquito bites are very localised but if they’re infected and you need antibiotics then you shouldn’t take either drug until you are free from infection. Hope you get sorted out - and stop scratching! 😀

[Braecoon]

Read an interesting hack yesterday about taking the itch out of mosi, midge, and bee, bites/stings. Take a metal teaspoon and place under running hot water, test how hot spoon is on back of hand before pressing back of spoon on the actual bite. It should be an uncomfortable heat but not burning (hence the skin check first). Press spoon on bite for a few minutes, repeat process for other bites. The science behind it is that the heat triggers the pain response over riding the itch receptor in the nerve. If the bite looks infected do not use this method as it could make matters worse.

[whitedog in reply to Braecoon]

I read somewhere that putting a dab of toothpaste over the bite stops it itching.

Though, I suppose walking around on holiday covered in toothpaste blobs might not be for everyone.

[Braecoon in reply to whitedog]

😂😂😂

[York666 in reply to whitedog]

🤣🤣

[AgedCrone]

If you think the bites are infected speak to your travel insurance company…they will be able to contact a person qualified to advise you.

[Jackie1947]

When out of the country if it's going to be hot I take with me antihistamines,preventative spray and bite cream. Never underestimate these bites and if possible ring them and if they continue to go outside the ring seek medical help. I carry antibiotics with me should I need them.

[Neonkittie17]

Sorry to hear this. Great advice from others here. Hope you feel better soon and can get to see a pharmacist.

Have you seen the new Fitbit type watches that are mosquito/insect repellants? Wonder if worth a look for the future.

[welsh12]

I am always bitten lots before I started meds and since I have never thought of stopping meds due to bites. Local pharmacy will know what works

[welsh12]

I am always bitten lots before I started meds and since I have never thought of stopping meds due to bites. Local pharmacy will know what works

[Lizard28]

I am always getting bitten and have the worst reactions. I know it’s too late to say but I swear by Boots own make hydrocortisone cream for bites, it helps a lot. I also go for the strongest Deet spray like Jungle. None of the other things work for me, I have tried them all. I got a jab in one pharmacy I went to on holiday and also got a local cream from them as well. Definitely go to a local pharmacy, they are your best bet. I always bring my own now. Easier said than done but try not to scratch them especially after you get bitten. You have my sympathy I know how horrible they are.

[York666 in reply to Lizard28]

Pharmacist was lovely. He went online to show me the horse flies which have caused the worst in my right foot. I have really red and angry looking mosquito bites on every part of my body apart from face thank goodness. I got the jungle spray but in hindsight should have been more prepared. I didn't take my methotrexate yesterday. Is it ok to take it today? Thank you for all the replies regarding this. Truly grateful 🙏

[Sunflower1921 in reply to Lizard28]

Hi I had a nasty bite last year I ended up at a & e they gave me one antihistamine and I went to local pharmacy to buy a packet of them they soon cleared it. Xx

[sivas]

Hydroxychloroquine should take care of any malaria type mosquito transmitted diseases. With regarding to the bites, I think the phamacist advice should help.

[Ferret18]

Savlon - works wonders and stops the itching almost immediately.

[Clariana]

If you can get a citronella spray, the smell is quite fresh and apparently it puts mosquitos off (mosquitos are attracted by smell so it might be a considerable help) from biting you. They're cheap and easily available here is Spain, pretty much imagine that would apply to Italy too.

[York666]

Thank you all so much. Hopefully the worst has been done 🙏

[Green230461]

calamine lotion is great for bites and drinking tonic water keeps them away.

Local chemist will help you but when I was in France I ended up with antibiotics jab in the bum by local English speaking doctor 😡

[Otto11]

Hi I’ve just back from Cyprus & exactly the same. It actually spoils things a lot when you have many. I Never normally get them & locals who also said they never get them had them too. I usually take B1 which is Thiamine prior to hols. I also have a little gadget ( no idea what it’s called) It’s tiny with a few pins in the end. You push it against your bite & push the end of the gadget. It clicks giving you a sort of prick. Not painful. The theory is it causes minor trauma to the area causing increased blood flow to that area which in turn then takes the blood away from the area taking the itch with it if that makes sense. Obviously that’s not going to help you now though. I also swear by pure alcohol on the bite not to drink although you can if you want. not sure what’s it’s called in Italy. Is it grappa ? Zivania in Cyprus.

Also anti histamines either cream or tabs. I had 2 dreadful ones on my boob! You can’t exactly sit scratching your boob in a restaurant 😆. Hope you get some relief.

[Teekay2]

There are a number of gadgets you can buy from pharmacies or online which give relief from stings eithe by heat or a tiny shock.

For prevention instead of Deet try Avon’s Skin so Soft oil spray .Not marketed as a repellent but It is used by the Royal Marines against gnats in Scotland and mossies and found to be really effective.

[junik53]

I used Avon dry oil spray original, mossies hate it .Forgot to apply one night and had about 8 bites on back of leg ,applied hydrocortisone cream called Anthisan takes the sting and itch away ,NEVER scratch. This was in May and I still have scars even though I didnt scratch,maybe leg just rubbed on the sheet ,I dont know if scars will eventually disappear.

[Shadow35]

I need to take antihistamine all summer. Instead of itching for one or two week it last just few second like normal people. And for itching skin without prescription i used hydrocortisone cream.

[York666 in reply to Shadow35]

Ahh I will add those to the list before any future trips. Certainly the Avon skin so soft which has been recommended on these posts. I'll be bulk buying ☺️ was an absolute nightmare. Thank you for the tip 🙏