Mosquito Bites

[Suzym2u]

Has anyone with Vasculitis had a big reaction from

mosquito bites? big , plate size, very hot, painful but not

itchy and are taking days to disappear, they look like burns. if so what did you do to relieve the situation please?

[orsen-trapp]

I had a bad reaction to a bee sting (unusual as I'm a beekeeper who's used to being stung) - ended up with an all-over rash then looked like I was moulting all my skin if you know what I mean! That was before I knew I had vasculitis, or it may have been the event that turned my immune system. Calmurid cream was prescribed which stung at first but really helped with the itching. Ironically, I was eventually prescribed a short course of Pred, took one look at the patient leaflet and refused to take it!

Oddly enough, since I started methotrexate I've found the midges don't seem to like me much - I'm not getting bitten as much as I might expect in a bad midgey season like this one. We don't have many mozzies but cleggs will be a problem in the coming month, no doubt.

[Nell]

Hi. I used to react very badly to insect bites in exactly the same way for years. Gradually getting bigger and bigger each time I was bitten. I found that witch hazel, available from most good chemists, eases the pain and reduces the swelling. I also used anthisan and latterly hydrocortisone cream which helped. Interestingly since I was finally diagnosed with Vasculitis and treated with immunosuppressants I hardly react at all now.

Hope this helps and you find some relief.

[orsen-trapp in reply to Nell]

Interesting, Nell. I'm waiting for my first clegg bite of the season as I usually react to them quite badly. I hope the next tick that tries making a meal of me feels really, really ill

[Lupylass]

I have lupus as well as vasculitis and the St Thomas's alternative criteria to the ACR for lupus is abnormal reaction to insect bites. It definitely fits with me.

Since I've been on DMARDs though they stay away.

[Suzym2u Moderator Vasculitis UK]

Thank you for your comments they have been passed on

Susan