Help I`ve been bitten

[bestyman]

So here I am in the MH in Devon. I was wearing shorts and trainers and cleaning the stubborn black marks off the van when I felt a pain on my ankle.
I looked down and saw blood running down my leg. There was some type of insect stuck to my ankle. I didn't get a good look at it as I panicked and flicked it off, but from what I recall it was like a brownish coloured thing that looked a bit like a giant ladybird. I screamed like a bitch and now the campsite think I'm nuts.

Any ideas what the creature was and what should I do? My leg has stopped bleeding but now hurts/ itches and is slightly red and swollen, about an old 50 pence size. I have sprayed it with antiseptic but that's where my first aid ends.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Sounds like a horsefly to me. They hurt like hell.

Also know as Clegs.

Did it look like this?

 

[herbenny]

So here I am in the MH in Devon. I was wearing shorts and trainers and cleaning the stubborn black marks off the van when I felt a pain on my ankle.
I looked down and saw blood running down my leg. There was some type of insect stuck to my ankle. I didn't get a good look at it as I panicked and flicked it off, but from what I recall it was like a brownish coloured thing that looked a bit like a giant ladybird. I screamed like a bitch and now the campsite think I'm nuts.

Any ideas what the creature was and what should I do? My leg has stopped bleeding but now hurts/ itches and is slightly red and swollen, about an old 50 pence size. I have sprayed it with antiseptic but that's where my first aid ends.

Please go and get it checked out. I had a similar thing not so long ago. Don't worry or panic but it just best to get it looked at.:wave::wave:

 

[wildman]

could well have been a tic, in which case its head is probably still inside of your ankle, get it looked at.

 

[Smaug]

Sounds like a horsefly to me. They hurt like hell.

I wondered that too, quite an orangey brown usually, more of a huge fly than a ladybird "beetle" tho. But they are notoriously nasty biters.



Some good advice on the NHS site

 

[mariesnowgoose]

A quick look on the web for description and treatment:

"Horse fly bites are usually jolly painful for a few days, after which the great majority will settle down and heal over a period of weeks.

When the fly bites there will usually be a red lump developing in the skin within minutes.

The itching occurs because of the release of histamine from the tissues surrounding the bite site.

This produces the raised itchy irritating lump. If it is increasingly painful, hot, red and forming pus, you would be wise to seek medical attention since it will have become infected.

For most bites, it is simply a matter of time until the local reaction passes.

Meanwhile, you may wish to use non-prescription antihistamines that might reduce itching; be cautioned that these can cause sedation.

Another option is to apply low-potency topical steroid cream such as 1% hydrocortisone to reduce inflammation and itching.

If you plan to return to the area where you were bitten, it might be worthwhile to apply an insect repellent containing diethyltoluamide (DEET) and wear long sleeves and long trousers."

​

 

[yorkieowl]

Sounds like a tick bite, would get it checked, they can give you antihistamine if you're allergic to their bite.

 

[Sky]

Certainly sounds like a horsefly bite to me. I've been had by the little b**gers on several occasions. Nothing to worry about unless it starts to look infected or you start having any other symptoms mentioned in that NHS link.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Two different pics of ticks.

 

[ozzo]

deffo sounds like a horsefly rather than a tic as I normally cant feel ticks bite whereas horsefly's hurt like hell.

 

[n brown]

sounds like horsefly to me too,my wife has been walking around with one fat foot for over a week now,they don't affect me as badly but they do open up a little flap of skin rather than pierce like a mossy,and they love anywhere moist like riverbanks,or when you're washing the van,and they'll chase you !so when you kill one,make sure you get it first time !

 

[Brochloon]

So here I am in the MH in Devon. I was wearing shorts and trainers and cleaning the stubborn black marks off the van when I felt a pain on my ankle.
I looked down and saw blood running down my leg. There was some type of insect stuck to my ankle. I didn't get a good look at it as I panicked and flicked it off, but from what I recall it was like a brownish coloured thing that looked a bit like a giant ladybird. I screamed like a bitch and now the campsite think I'm nuts.

Any ideas what the creature was and what should I do? My leg has stopped bleeding but now hurts/ itches and is slightly red and swollen, about an old 50 pence size. I have sprayed it with antiseptic but that's where my first aid ends.

Collect all outstanding debts immediately & ask for your Xmas presents early :scared:

 

[bestyman]

Thanks all.
I think it was a horsefly and now I remember it did have stripes. I don't think it was a tic as the dog got bitten by a tick in France last year and it didn't look like that and this came off really easily.
As mentioned the strange thing was that it hurt (and bled) which I have never experienced before. I had a light spraying of 50% deet on as only 2 days ago I had a mosquito type bite.
The swelling hasn't got any worse yet.
Cheers

 

[Deleted member 4850]

Nothing like bolting the stable door I know but the latest offering on the anti-midge scene repels not just midges but horseflies and ticks too. It really works too. The other night my daughter and I were on a river bank that was hooching with midges and black flies and other flying thingies and as soon as we put the Smidge on the whole lot cleared off. I sat out until after sunset and still no bother...unheard of up here! And it doesn't seem to have any skin-dissolving nasties in it either - smells of lemons!

Think I need to buy shares in the stuff!


Hope the ankle gets better soon bestyman!

Hilary

PS Oh yes, forgot - here's a link for the Smidge...and some midgie fax

 

[Firefox]

Even easier, keep covered up, if you are prone to getting bitten.

 

[scampa]

I looked down and saw blood running down my leg. There was some type of insect stuck to my ankle. I didn't get a good look at it as I panicked and flicked it off, but from what I recall it was like a brownish coloured thing that looked a bit like a giant ladybird. I screamed like a bitch and now the campsite think I'm nuts.

BTW, many people don't realise that ladybirds can have a nasty bite too. I only found out by accident years ago, when I seemed to have several within a few weeks. I can't remember if they caused any bleeding or swelling, but they were definitely sharp and very painful bites!

Ladybirds do also come in various shades of red, orange and brown, plus we occasionally get invaded by nastier varieties from foreign climes in some years.

 

[Dive Tramp]

Well done to those "sticking" (bad pun) to Horsefly/Cleg.

You won't feel a Tick biting and sucking usually at all as they inject you with a local anaesthetic before squirting in an anticoagulant to drink your blood.

Clegs on the otherhand have a much larger bore probiscus that has to deal with getting thro the thick(er) skin of cattle, horses etc. Now THAT does hurt, and immediately. (fondish memories of working at Glenisla Ponytrekking Centre for three years, and praying for wind to blow the damned critturs away from us on our treks thro the Glens).

Yep, nothing much will happen unless your scratching at the bite introduces dirt and infection. Keep it clean and use anti-histamine cream if the itching gets unbearable (as has been said).

Word of warning for Tick bites. If you do find you've been bitten, and you'll only really know thro a full body check... (they crawl effortlessly towards the nice warm groin type areas to feed, where the skin and blood flow is nice and easy) and will only fall off on their own accord when they're full up on your blood, do be careful removing them as somebody said, you don't want to leave their headgear stuck in you.
Also, keep an eye on Flu like symptoms (better still Google for Lyme's Disease) and get to a doctor as soon as you can if you do develope those symptoms. Lyme's Disease is quite a debilitating one, but is treatable if caught early.
You can check on a website I believe, for the likelihood of contracting Lyme's Disease thro Tick bites in certain geographical areas, normally where deer and sheep etc roam freely.

DT

 

[Sky]

BTW, many people don't realise that ladybirds can have a nasty bite too.

Indeed, I remember we had an epidemic of biting ones back in the middle '70s - never trusted 'em since. :scared:

 

[Toonman]

I could have been a Harlequin Ladybird which as it's name suggests can be many colours and patterns. It can also bite. Have a look at the link below to see the results of bites from ladybirds.

ladybird bite - Bing Images

 

[Sand55]

OMG !!!!!!
I have been looking on the nhs site about Lyme's disease. I love the Lake District, and go as often as poss, ( to hike ).

We are going to wales, in our new camper, again to hike. I have had ME for years, and have just began to feel better. Perhaps I had Lyme's, or will get it !

I am going to smother myself in insect repellent, wear tucked in clothing, but, I have long hair what about my head ? I think I need a swimming cap, or shower cap, lol.

Seriously, it worries me. Add to that .....hubby is going fishing, as he does often. He may bring some back with him !

Help.