Insect Bites, Advice? Options

[Pixiedust]

I've got an insect bite on my leg, presumably mosquito, and the whole area has gone red and hotter than other parts of my skin. Is this a bad thing?

Edit: I also have little red spots spread through the area.

This post has been edited by Beka's Playgirl: Jul 16 2007, 04:48 PM

[Anzibanonzi]

I'd give it a couple hours
see if it still itches if you get your mind on something else. Sometimes you react funnily. But if it really hurts or continues to be hot or if you get a fever, or if it spreads see a doctor


of course this is just my opinion I don't have a M.D.

[Pixiedust]

That makes sense.

[Caithness]

I've got an insect bite on my leg, presumably mosquito, and the whole area has gone red and hotter than other parts of my skin. Is this a bad thing?

Edit: I also have little red spots spread through the area.

Scratch it til it's raw, then put hydrogen peroxide on it. That always stops the itching.

[Pixiedust]

[Mr Dust]

I think you maybe on the right lines, but I think more like scratch and scratch it until it bleeds, pour chlorine mixed with bleach all over it and make sure you rub it in well. That will make it worse. Then you go to hospital, get your leg amputated, thus solving the problem.

[Pixiedust]

I think people here want me dead.

[Anzibanonzi]

What I always do to stop the itching is press my thumb nail into the bite and form an x. And then presto no more itching, and I don't die

[Pixiedust]

Oh yes, I've heard about the X thing before. Doesn't normally work for me, but the bite doesn't seem to be itching anymore either.

[Mr Dust]

that works? Cool, I gotta try that

[D.Rabbit]

The x thing does work.
I had to giggle under my hand at the ex who actually purchased a gizmo that made the X by pressing it on the bite. Okay for folks who don't have fingernails or are not allowed to use utensils.

Often washing a bite with mild soap will help too.

[Shoshana]

I ice mosquito bites before scratching. Then the itch goes away.

[mjtian]

Ok, first off does how big is the rash? Does it look like a BullsEye? Just want to rule out Lyme Disese. Also, I think Aveeno Anti Itch Cream may do the trick. You may want to try some OTC anti-histamines if its really bothering you. Good Luck!!



mjtian

[Mr Dust]

I saw a video online yesterday, something like "treat mosquito bites in 7 easy steps" or something. One of those steps was to mix baking powder with water, but make it kinda thick (you only need a small small amount of both, to make it into a kinda paste) then rub it onto the bite. I thought it was a joke, but tried it (what harm could it do) and you know what, it stopped itching. That was about 6 hours ago. I have more than one, like I said I have about 20 right now, but one of them itched like mad, so I did the baking thing and it still ain't itched.

[WildChildCait]

otc antihistamines, cold compress and elevation works for severe bites.

[Mr Dust]

elevation? I have about 10 on my right shoulder, however it is the one's on my leg that itch the most, until I put baking powder on them that is lol

Maybe a picnic in the park at 9pm wasn't your best idea BPG (although I did agree lol)

[WildChildCait]

you should be ok with mozzie bites, but i treated a guy with horsefly bites /and/ an allergic reaction to htem...lets just say that elevation stops swelling.

[Mr Dust]

R.I.C.E as far as I remember from St. Johns. Rest, Ice Compression Elevation. Mozzie bites are minor, unless the fly carries malaria, then you may be in a bit more trouble than just an itch...

[WildChildCait]

*grins* cold compress = compression plus ice
Elevation = elevation
antihistamines are more effective than rest.

and some people are massively allergic. Not in this case, but the guy with the horsefly was.

[Nikcara]

ummm....when you say "massively allergic" I think anaphalxis, which elevation and cold compressed won't touch. Epinephran does wonders though, right before you get yourself admitted to the hospital.