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Mosquitoes from Hell

MSeel1984
MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
edited January 28 in Chit-Chat
So... last night I was sitting out with our neighbors for the 4th of July. Mosquitoes are really bad out here, but that's not the point.

I got a TON of bites around one of my ankles and now it's swelling...to the point that it's not moving the way it's supposed to (range of motion is terrible).

What should I do? Should I ice it and assume it'll get better or is there a medicine I can put on it? Just walking is miserable. It itches and it HURTS.

Replies

  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    You can certainly ask your dr. I got some sort of bite and it swelled up and got infected right away. I went to my dr.
  • megabyt23
    megabyt23 Posts: 580 Member
    They are literally hell in Arkansas as well. Apply a cold pack or something to it first...and try some calamine lotion for the itchiness. Ibuprofen helps with swelling and pain as well.

    ETA: If you think you're having a worse than normal reaction, take some benadryl.
  • Cindy873
    Cindy873 Posts: 1,165
    Take some benedryl; it should help.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Thanks, guys.
  • __delete
    __delete Posts: 245 Member
    There are medicated lotions you can use, gold bond, benedryl, etc, those can help with the itching, and sometimes the reaction
  • Followingsea
    Followingsea Posts: 407 Member
    Antihistamines will reduce swelling if you think you're having an unusual reaction. (They'll also help to kill the itch). Benadryl will work well for this.

    For itching, topical use of cortisone cream or dilute ammonia will help. (If you have broken the skin scratching, DO NOT use ammonia!) You can also ice it - cold will calm down your mast cells (they produce histamines) and calm the itch too.
  • flowergirl45
    flowergirl45 Posts: 47 Member
    Benadryl is an antihistamine that makes a lot of people drowsy. If so, you can try Zyrtec or Claritin which are non-drowsy.
    I hate mosquitoes, they love me. There's also the possibility that you could have been bitten by some other insect ??? Like others have said, check with a Dr if needed.
  • Pangea250
    Pangea250 Posts: 965 Member
    Treat it like an injury: ice and elevation. You can take some Benadryl too, to help with the swelling & itchiness. Don't scratch!
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I'm a big fan of Benadryl for minor itchies, but if it's swelling THAT much, I'd check with your doctor or an urgent care clinic. It might be the kind of allergic reaction that you need something prescription strength to knock it.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Treat it like an injury: ice and elevation. You can take some Benadryl too, to help with the swelling & itchiness. Don't scratch!

    So hard! :( The bottoms of my jeans keep skimming over the bites so it's driving me insane with the desire to scratch it.

    I'll try some ice and elevation at home.

    Thanks, peeps...

    This is one of the many questions I have for God someday: WHY did you create mosquitoes? I'm convinced they are a product of Satan.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    I'm beginning to question if these might not be mosquito bites. They're all localized to my lower legs and ankles...they're still itching like mad. They go from itching like crazy to not anything at all...ankles are a little less swollen today.
  • TyTy76
    TyTy76 Posts: 1,761 Member
    Maybe you should go see your doctor?
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Maybe you should go see your doctor?

    Well the only thing holding me back is I don't think there's a lot they can do about this. I'm thinking it may be chigger bites *shudder* because it's so localized and they're a different color than mosquitoes...a red color.

    From what I understand, there's not a lot a doc can do about bug bites...I mean...they could give me steroid cream, but I'm sure I can find something at the drug store to stop the itching.

    Anybody know anything about chiggers?
  • TheVimFuego
    TheVimFuego Posts: 2,412 Member
    Oh man, tell me about mozzies.

    Bane of my life being the whitest person you ever did see in subtropical Australia.

    I find taking a vitamin B complex helps a lot.

    Turns your pee yellow, but it's a talking point ;)
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Oh man, tell me about mozzies.

    Bane of my life being the whitest person you ever did see in subtropical Australia.

    I find taking a vitamin B complex helps a lot.

    Turns your pee yellow, but it's a talking point ;)

    Wait...your pee isn't already yellow? LOL...like Neon yellow? I digress...
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Maybe you should go see your doctor?

    Well the only thing holding me back is I don't think there's a lot they can do about this. I'm thinking it may be chigger bites *shudder* because it's so localized and they're a different color than mosquitoes...a red color.

    From what I understand, there's not a lot a doc can do about bug bites...I mean...they could give me steroid cream, but I'm sure I can find something at the drug store to stop the itching.

    Anybody know anything about chiggers?

    I don't know about chiggers, but I associate bites on the ankles with fleas. I'm very allergic to flea bites, so I notice bites on me before my pets even start itching. Lucky them... they get treated before they have a problem. Unlucky me... I'll get swelling, hives, itching, blisters, and one damn bite will itch for weeks!

    And if there's a LOT of swelling, you might need to go through a round of Prednisone or something similar to get it under control. Some people are just a lot more sensitive to bites (of any kind) than others. Just like some dogs might get a little itchy from a flea bite, and some end up losing half their fur. It wouldn't hurt to see a doctor.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Maybe you should go see your doctor?

    Well the only thing holding me back is I don't think there's a lot they can do about this. I'm thinking it may be chigger bites *shudder* because it's so localized and they're a different color than mosquitoes...a red color.

    From what I understand, there's not a lot a doc can do about bug bites...I mean...they could give me steroid cream, but I'm sure I can find something at the drug store to stop the itching.

    Anybody know anything about chiggers?

    I don't know about chiggers, but I associate bites on the ankles with fleas. I'm very allergic to flea bites, so I notice bites on me before my pets even start itching. Lucky them... they get treated before they have a problem. Unlucky me... I'll get swelling, hives, itching, blisters, and one damn bite will itch for weeks!

    And if there's a LOT of swelling, you might need to go through a round of Prednisone or something similar to get it under control. Some people are just a lot more sensitive to bites (of any kind) than others. Just like some dogs might get a little itchy from a flea bite, and some end up losing half their fur. It wouldn't hurt to see a doctor.

    Well my dogs have both been treated for fleas and I haven't been around any other dogs...I dunno. I was told chigger bites were something like this...I have a problem with going to the doctor for every little thing...they're looking better and my ankles aren't nearly as swollen.
This discussion has been closed.

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