beach chick Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 about 6pm last night I was watering the veg. 'something' managed to give me a big bite or sting right into my left elbow vein, exactly where you would have blood taken from. there was a big (bigger than needle-size ) hole. then within 10 mins a big welt appeared round it. so I went in and took antihistamine and put some bite stuff on the site as well. TODAY... my arm is pink, hot, and swollen from above the elbow joint to just above the wrist and it's hot to the touch. now I dont imagine I am going to die from it, cant take any more antihist for another 3 hours or so; but it hurts and omigod does it itch!!! any homespun remedies to take the itching or swelling away anyone?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 I sympathise - I have had a few Mozzie bites in my time that were very bad...still have the scars from one of them You need to get that itch gone - I like the Savlon bite get & also good old Anthisan cream is wonderful. Or failing that,a spray on one. Can you pop to the local supermarket & pick something up,& maybe see the in house Pharmasist if they have one? Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Try some Witch hazel and an ice pack. That sounds like a nasty bite, watch out for any odd rashes in the area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 I've got a boots spray on anti-itch thing which works for about 10 mins. I will try the icepack I think... its just so annoying!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 I slap any bites/itches I have, saves breaking skin and stimulates the nerves in the same way a scratch does - I find the itch does go away temporarily. Sorry I don't have any other advice, when my mum lived on Crete she got a load on her legs and ended up having to go to hospital and have them lanced Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 We get these all the time at work and most people demand antibiotics By the time the abx start to work it will have gone down. Our advice is use an ice-pack, take anti-histamines regularly and keep the limb raised if possible I had one of my foot last year and couldn't even get my shoe on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 how do you keep an arm raised??? (serious question, I cant work out how to do it!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 how do you keep an arm raised??? (serious question, I cant work out how to do it!) when sitting down, in an arm chair, say, pile pillows/cushions underneath it to keep it raised. when standing up - a sling (fashioned from a teatowel or bandage material?) drawing the arm across the chest to the opposite shoulder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Hydrocortisone cream will reduce the swelling and the itching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopsie Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 If the swelling gets any worse or you find it is affecting your joints then I would advise a trip to a&e. The year before last I had a very nasty bite and just about avoided being admitted for IV antibiotics. The Sister in charge said that really nasy insect bites are on the increase and she has had to admit several people for treatment. As it was she gave me an ice pack, hydrocortisone (to be used sparingly) and also advised antihistamine/painkillers as needed. She said if it affected my fingers i should go back - but luckily it didn't. Last year's bites were treated with Benadryl cream which the pharmacist advised me to use. Local pharmacists are a mine of information and a lot of the time I avoid a trip to the doctor by talking to them. You don't have to wait for an appointment either!!!! Quick fix is a poultice of bicarbonate of soda and water - instant relief! Hope it goes down soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Yes ibuprofen is a good idea too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 I also got bad bits on my forehead in Kos a few years ago,coupled with sunburn,which made my entire face swell up. It was awful ... I spent 5 days shut in the apartment Bad bites & severe reactions to bites do seem to be on the increase. I was actually given a nappy rash cream by a Greek pharmacist,which worked wonders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowberry Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 In the summer months I carry an amonia pen in my bag; I've only seen it in the 'travel' section of pharmasists, but it works a treat, but makes you howl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 I'm actually just back from A&E!! not for the insect bite - youngest has managed to 'probably' break her wrist on the trampoline . so she is in plaster and sling, back for x-rays Monday am. slight problem - she has drama exam tomorrow and dress rehearsal for dance show (4 nights of performance) on Sunday. drama will be ok but not sure if she will be dancing... I am now drinking (lots of ) wine to recover, and have had an ibuprofen to reduce the insect bite pain - still swollen and hot but not getting any worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Oh no so sorry Hope it turns out not to be broken Jack once fell off his horse when she slipped and he put his hand out to save himself. When he told me I said 'oh just run it under the tap, you'll be fine'. Next morning it was the size of a balloon and an xray confirmed it was broken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted July 9, 2011 Author Share Posted July 9, 2011 oh yes, I am a mother of the 'run it under the tap/bung some ice on it/stiff upper lip' school too and have to admit I wasnt pleased to spend Friday evening in A&E - but she is delighted to have been proved right. I'm really hoping its not broken tho, else she'll be in a cast for half the summer hols... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 Jack was only in plaster for 3 weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted July 9, 2011 Author Share Posted July 9, 2011 Jack was only in plaster for 3 weeks ooh, that's good news! fingers crossed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
