Been Bitten

[busy_lizzie]

Over the past two days I have cleared a very grassy overgrown path at my allotment, and I have really been bitten by something. I itch all over, which is so uncomfortable and you can see the red bites on my body. I am using the usual sort of numbing spray and creams, but I wondered if anyone of you had any remedies or preventative measures you take. I think this has been a special year, becasue it has been so hot and now we have the torrential downpours so everything is so lush. Would really appreciate any ideas. Thank you. busy_lizzie

[busy_lizzie]

[Duke Ellington]

There are two things we use as a preventative. My OH uses AVON SKIN SO SOFT original (turquoise/white bottle) spray. He gets badly bitten when playing golf and outdoor football. He says it works. I like to use Australian Body Care body Lotion. It Contains teatree oil and it has a pretty strong smell. If you don't like the smell of tea tree I would go for the Avon one. Australian Body care is a bit pricey - Avon cheap as chips!!

duke

[manicscousers]

Got one of those zappy things and it really works, plus I've used tea tree oil. Not nice, bites 

[Paulines7]

I too use Avon "Skin So Soft" especially when we are on holiday in France.  There always seem to be a lot of insects on the campsites.  We usually sit in the awning to eat during the evenings so we also burn citronella candles and have a "zapper" handy.

[goodlife]

Oh yes...it is that time of the year when the bleeders are out and about. Somebody posted about these crawling little insects last year...can't remember now what they were (must look that post up again).
They seem to get under clothes and 'get you' where it Is most uncomfortable. I've got several bites too as have OH..and dog seem to want to scratch and bite herself too..and NO its not fleas (she is treated and fleece you see evidence of their presence).
I don't seem to find anything that will deter them away..once bitten I find putting some anti-bacterial hand 'wash' gel on few times a day keep the itchiness away and prevent any infections from scratching Alcohol in the gel cools the bite site and stops itchyness ...at least some use for the stuff that seem to accumulate in draws (we seem to buy the stuff and don't make full use of it)

[antipodes]

Could it be these?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trombiculidae
Harvest mites I think they are called, in France they are an August bug as they come out in... August. Especially in grass, they bite the areas of the skin where there are folds mostly and the bite is itchy. Disinfect them well and take an over the counter antihistamine if you can, which will stop the itching.

[Unwashed]

Could it be these?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trombiculidae
Harvest mites I think they are called, in France they are an August bug as they come out in... August. Especially in grass, they bite the areas of the skin where there are folds mostly and the bite is itchy. Disinfect them well and take an over the counter antihistamine if you can, which will stop the itching.

My dog clover suffers from these each year, though they don't affect the rest of us.  They're rather difficult to control.

[goodlife]

Could it be these?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trombiculidae
Harvest mites I think they are called, in France they are an August bug as they come out in... August. Especially in grass, they bite the areas of the skin where there are folds mostly and the bite is itchy. Disinfect them well and take an over the counter antihistamine if you can, which will stop the itching.

Yes..that's the ones...bloody things  They always seem to get me underneath the elastic on knickers or socks..

[antipodes]

My dog clover suffers from these each year, though they don't affect the rest of us.  They're rather difficult to control.

That article says that dogs and cats can also bring them in to humans, I guess that they must hide in their fur. I recall my son getting bitten by some one summer after playing on a lawn on a hot day. the bites are small but multiple and itchy. They like any skin folds or elastic bands so people tend to get bitten around their socks, or waistbands etc.

[busy_lizzie]

Hi Everyone, Thanks for all the replies.  I am looking into all the suggestions. I had to go on some antihistamine tablets, as they felt so bad. Feeling much better now though. We had bed bugs in 2008, and I am always very nervous of them coming back.  We had to have the house fumigated and all the beds in the house destroyed. It was a horrendous time, and not something I would like repeated. Was at the lottie yesterday and I put on several layers just in case. thanks again. busy_lizzie

[mentallot]

• more bites, and more painful than ever
• never needed antihistamine before
• never had bits/stings that swellled up full of liquid that need to be lanced before
• A ring of bright red around my ankle, at socktop level, that looks like one of the bracelet tattoos
• Lumps on my arm that look like I have been eating too much spinach aka Popeye

Don't you just love summer :)
(ps - I still do  )

[pumkinlover]

 
Whispers with all digits crossed--

_{I have not been bitten yet this year. commiserations to those suffering.}
That sounds dreadful mentallot and buzy lizzie ! hope that you feel better soon.