Sensitivity to insect bites

[Zmalp]

DH has HT and is under a long investigation for SREAT/HE. He also has psoriasis and non-coeliac gluten sensitivity.

He gets pretty severe reactions to insect bites of any kind but horse fly bite reactions are awful - I have known him have to be off work with severe flu like symptoms and swellings. Even basic mozzie bites come up much bigger. He’s wondering if anyone else with HT gets this kind of reaction? Is it an autoimmune thing?

[DoeStewart]

Hi there, no idea why but I also have bad reactions to insect bites. I don't get the flu like symptoms but I can end up on antibiotics as the bites turn to an infection. Horse fly bites are the worst for me. The GP told me to use a product with the most Deet and I use Jungke Formula extra strength spray, its awful stuff but it's the only thing that keeps the insects away. It's normally the bites on my legs that are the worst, I actually got bit on the elbow just this week, in the garden watering the plants, hydrocortisone cream sorted that one out. We used to go camping many years ago, just myself and my Dad were the only ones who suffered out of the group, bitten every evening. I don't know what attracts the insects to certain people, my Dad didn't have any auto immune diseases.

[Rita-D]

I do. I’ve had several on my legs but once had one on my face and my eye swelled up and closed. They l got infected a c. used cellulitis. Have to have antibioticd to treat them. I’ve had Hashi’s for 11 years but only sensitive to this extent since cancer treatment. I don’t think my immune system has fully recovered yet even though it’s been 4 years. I always need antibiotics to treat. I wear anti-mozzi bracelets in summer to try to prevent them.

[Babette]

I don't get flu like symptoms but do react badly to bites. Like DoeStewart, I've ended up on antibiotics for cellulitis. Some creams for bites seem to make things worse so I now apply Nelson's tea tree cream to any bites every couple of hours.

[Lovecake]

I react to bites too. They itch so much it nearly drives me mad. I have found antihistamine helps a lot. I have Hashimoto’s (only diagnosed 7 years) but had bite issues all my life. My daughter had to have antibiotics for infected bites and my mum used to get terrible swelling around bites too. Don’t know if it’s autoimmune connected as my mum doesn’t have any (as far as I’m aware). My Hashimoto’s comes from my dad’s side of the family.

I don’t go to sleep if there’s any kind of flying insect in my bedroom. It has to be tracked down and squished or I can guarantee it will get me in the night 🫣

[Zmalp]

Thanks all x

[Bearo]

I’m also one of those who gets bitten and gets big itchy lumps as a reaction. I’m sure I read it may be to do with B vitamins but I forget which one.

[chrisbuy63]

Apparently vitamin B1 (thiamin) helps deter them. Do some research on it as I am not sure what dose or type is best.