Mosquito bites

[patient165]

Does anyone else have extreme/long lasting skin reactions to insect bites?

As Autumn blusters in I have an (unwelcome) reminder of warmer times thanks to some very swollen and itchy bites. Probably mosquitoes. The bites occurred in different gardens at different times but the reactions are the same. I've had Lupus for nearly 20 years. Antihistamine tablets and hydrocortisone cream bring little relief. Ibuprofen is the only thing that calms it down but as soon as there's a change in body temperature I'm itching again. It's been weeks now.

Anyone else?

[svfarmer]

Hi yes I get exactly the same as you, the itching is so intense and the bits take a good 2 weeks to stop itching and settle down , like you I’ve found very little that helps, it’s so annoying- this summer I was stung by a wasp and my finger actually went blue and so stiff I could hardly bend it - it was like this for about a week then another week to stop hurting x

[Horsewhisper]

Yes - horsefly bites for me. They swell up massively, last for a couple of weeks and itch like mad. If you are able to eat and indeed like the stuff, garlic is a brilliant natural insect repellent . Also lots of green leafy veg, especially spinach is good too. To keep them away, have you tried insect repellent with “Deet” in? That’s really good to use. Hope you get some respite from the dreaded itch soon. Xx

[MEGS53]

Oh yes, big time! Every biting insect seems to love me and I end up with huge itchy lumps, then huge bruises, then huge brownish marks that take months to go away. And then they can start itching again for no obvious reason. Not a good look. Does anyone know what causes them?

[Salzer]

Yes, I do too. I wear insect repellent if I know there's any risk of bites, even in the UK & Ireland. Been an issue for me for years, way before any other symptoms or diagnosis so I'm not sure if it's related. I use a natural repellent called Alfresco topped up with stronger ones if needed. You can order it online. But tbh the Alfresco one has seen me through trips to Central America, Australia and SE Asia without bites! All pre sun sensitivity obvs. No trips like that anymore☹. Think I read somewhere that folk with APS are particularly prone to insect bite reactions. S

[MEGS53 in reply to Salzer]

Thank you, I'll look online for Alfresco. I have to cover up thoroughly as though I'm entering a danger zone, just to do the gardening, and then the little darlings go for my hands! TBH, I feel unwell when I'm badly bitten - does anyone else get this?

I haven't been dx'd with APS, but thanks for the info.

[Salzer in reply to MEGS53]

I can definitely relate to being a magnet for biting insects. Another repellent I read about is Avon Oh so Soft. Seemingly the army and marines use it for midges in Scotland and mosquitoes in Belize! My family laugh at me plastering on the repellent and covering up against them but like you I feel awful if I get bitten. I don't have APS either but perhaps it shows that there is a link between autoimmune conditions and sensitivity to bites?

[MEGS53 in reply to Salzer]

Ah, I've tried the Avon cream, but the mozzies just laughed at me and smelled nice!

A link between AI conditions and sensitivity/reaction to bites, now there's a thought. Well, we're supposed to be hyper-reactive, so why not? Interesting you also feel unwell when bitten. Not at all nice!

[Frosty1960 in reply to Salzer]

I get same reactions and also seem to be magnet to all biters living in Scotland have to contend with the flying terrors the Scottish midge. I use the Avon product it is actually Skin so Soft works great and does not burn skin like ones with deet in.

[Josiah150767]

Hi

Yes, I am the same. I come out in large lumps which are very itchy and take ages to calm down. I find that tiger balm helps me to take the edge of the itching alongside piriton.

[Spotty-ewe]

Yes, I react very badly too whether it is a tiny midge or a horse fly.😬 My Rheumy suggested using Dermavate on the bites but I’m not convinced it really did much to help me. The best thing is to try to avoid getting bitten or stung at all and I have found Avon’s Skin So Soft (original perfume) products really help. They say the oil is the best but I find it quite messy, so I use the cream and also their soap during the summer or when abroad in mozzie regions. It does work but of course needs to be reapplied regualrly.

Rheumy did say that bad reactions to insect bites was a cross Lupies have to bear. But the resulting itch is very difficult to bear!😖 I’ve actually scratched until it bleeds then dabbed Surgical Spirit on it feeling the pain was a pleasant relief from the itch. 😉😆

[Tykle]

I have bad reactions to insect bites too and actually have two on my arm now which are still itchy and blistering after three weeks! I find "Afterbite" helps to relieve the itching a bit. It is in a container like a pen and you just dab a drop on. It smells like ammonia. I've also used the Avon product mentioned (bought on a Skye holiday) and it does seem to help reduce the number of bites.