Insect Bites

[sometimes]

maybe not insect bites.

Have you considered some kind of fungal problem. I got ringworm several years ago and the symptoms sound vaguely familiar.

[Hedge Witch]

Hi sometimes - interesting suggestion. I haven't considered this.

The spots were definitely something to do with the walk, each time - I know this by way they started the same night of each walk, and itched for up to a week after (in both of us at the same time).

But I agree, there could be other possibilities. At least if it was fungal, we have both have some immunity, because they cleared each time (apart from scarring). So thankfully that rules out ringworm (and they didn't have that shape about them). Ringworm is nasty.

[NickCantle]

Well feel free to pop over to the fungi forum for an ID should you need to

[Hedge Witch]

Hee hee hee

I don't think you lot are ready for a shot of my spotty torso

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Hedge Witch

Hee hee hee

I don't think you lot are ready for a shot of my spotty torso

Are they small red spots..
Not ringworm I don't think..
I was on steroids my consultant said mine were a follicle infection due to lowered immunity..

[RoseStones]

I've had many many allergies for as long as I can remember and I'm currently taking two different types of antihistamine every day without any problems at all. I can honestly say that if there's any risk that you are likely to get bitten (like me) then there's absolutely no problem taking antibiotics before you go out, and they'll work post-bite too. I've drunk alcohol with both cetirizine and desloratidine without any problems, don't get drunk obviously but one or two should pose no problems. The older generation antihistamines you'll be lucky to get hold of these days without prescription. Also, don't waste money on anything other than generics - the ingredient is exactly the same. I say this as I get the impression that some people don't trust antihistamines and I've really no idea why...

In terms of prevention if you want to be serious then DEET has been proven to be the best preventative and despite popular misconception is perfectly safe to use on the skin. One thing I did find when visiting Cambodia is that DEET completely melts plastic so don't get it anywhere near your camera if you take one as it'll play havoc with any plastic casing. Citronella I've found to be only sparingly useful, others may have different opinions of course. With even 25% DEET I never got bitten once in Cambodia or Thailand, parts of both of which are malarial risk regions.

I've got some Nosquito trousers and to be honest they're coated with Permerthrin which is a broad spectrum insecticide, but I don't know if it acts quick enough to kill the bug before it's got chance to bite you i.e. it's not a deterrant as such, but a kill-on-contact agent. I've never really been bitten through clothing so I wouldn't ever pay the premium for these again - the Permethrin treatment only lasts for a limited number of washes anyhow (25 I believe) before you have to 'recharge' it with added Permethrin that I've previously found to be quite hard to come by.

Hope this helps, I know that the post's quite old now, but I do seem to be Mr Allergy so thought my extensive experience of bites, swelling and drugs might help a little!

[Hedge Witch]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Are they small red spots..
Not ringworm I don't think..
I was on steroids my consultant said mine were a follicle infection due to lowered immunity..

That sounds bad - sorry

No they are large and sparse - just like you would expect insect bites. They didn't feel infected, just swollen and itchy - VERY itchy. We both had them at exactly the same time.

(The OH panicked and thought we had bedbugs - but we don't. I'm sure it was something on the walk!)

[Hedge Witch]

Hi RoseStones - yes thanks that's very interesting. It's good to hear confidence from other people before you try the remedies yourself

[Cypress]

Try some Hypericum (cream or tincture) for the redness & itching.. I make it myself and it works wonders for itchy bites or rashes, you can get it from Boots, H&B, etc

[Hedge Witch]

Thanks Cypress - the Lanacane wasn't that good. I'll have a look for this one.