WTH is biting me?? Is this happening to you. too?

[Kitty 34]

This is the fourth time this spring I have been bitten on the neck by some little fly or gnat thingy (not a vampire, btw ) .

The initial "bite" never hurts but within hours my neck starts swelling at the bug bite and beyond, gets awfully red like a sunburn and pretty much hurts like one and itches like crazy!!!

When it first happened I went to the doctor. She had no clue either but gave me some cream and sent me home. It goes away within 4-5 days.

It's obviously happening when I'm outside but I would hate to stay in ALL summer!!

And of course right now my neck has big red blotches on it and is burning and itching and I fly to Vegas tomorrow. Great timing, bugs!!!

 

[tazdev3225]

I don't know what it is but I got bit by something like that too. I just figured it was a mosquito because I'm allergic to them. Have fun in Vegas.

 

[bballmom56]

I had this a couple of weeks ago and I think it was the gnats that we have here. They are just awful! I got them on my forearms and legs. They were itchy like flea bites, but definitely not fleas, so I can only assume they are the gnats. At this point, I haven't gotten any new ones.

Have fun in Vegas!

 

[golfgal]

At this time of the year I would guess gnats. I get the same thing. DS14 reacts even worse-huge bumps that look like chicken pox, only HUGE. You probably have swollen lymph nodes from the bites too. It is horrible. The only bug spray I have found that helps with gnats is the 3M Ultrathon bug spray. It comes in a yellow can and works GREAT for all bugs. Regular mosquito repellent does nothing for gnats.

 

[Kitty 34]

At this time of the year I would guess gnats. I get the same thing. DS14 reacts even worse-huge bumps that look like chicken pox, only HUGE. You probably have swollen lymph nodes from the bites too. It is horrible. The only bug spray I have found that helps with gnats is the 3M Ultrathon bug spray. It comes in a yellow can and works GREAT for all bugs. Regular mosquito repellent does nothing for gnats.

You're right...My lymph nodes are swollen. My neck looks like it has hives which I've never had before these bites. It's not a pretty sight....maybe I can pull off wearing a scarf on my trip!!!


Are gnats and these little black flies I've been seeing the same thing??

 

[agnes!]

Have some Benadryl with you at all times. If you get bitten again, take that right away. Keep on taking it for the duration of the bite.

Put a cold compress on the bite, maybe even using some ice/icy water.

Another thing that can work on bites/stings is meat tenderizer that's made of papaya enzyme like "Accent". Make a paste with a little bit of water & put that on the bite.

Check around your yard for any standing water, dump EVERYTHING. Put a few drops of cooking oil into it if you have a rain-barrel for your garden. Put a tablespoon or two of bleach into the water if you have any fountains.

Get some backyard sprayers (the kind that you can set off and walk away from) specifically for biting insects, make sure it's fairly benign. People use these all the time for when they're going to have a party in their back-yard, set one or two off. They shouldn't hurt any honeybees, etc. If you're squeamish about this, it is a chemical, we're pretty much a non-chemical family so I understand. Just trying to think of things that can help you deal with the problem.

I think you need to make an appointment with an allergist. The itching/discomfort almost sounds like it's not just a localized reaction but is bordering on something systemic.

agnes!

 

[golfgal]

You're right...My lymph nodes are swollen. My neck looks like it has hives which I've never had before these bites. It's not a pretty sight....maybe I can pull off wearing a scarf on my trip!!!


Are gnats and these little black flies I've been seeing the same thing??

Yes, they are tiny black thing you see in swarms. Are the lilacs blooming in your area. Gnats are attracted to lilacs. Are you new to your area? If you haven't experienced gnats before chances are you are going to react worse to the bites. It will be better next year since your body will have time to build up some antibodies.

 

[mickeyboat]

We call them black flies up here in New England. DDs have had several bites in the past couple of weeks. They like to get at the base of their necks and both of them had bites on their ears this year.

 

[Shelton123]

This is the fourth time this spring I have been bitten on the neck by some little fly or gnat thingy (not a vampire, btw ) .

The initial "bite" never hurts but within hours my neck starts swelling at the bug bite and beyond, gets awfully red like a sunburn and pretty much hurts like one and itches like crazy!!!

When it first happened I went to the doctor. She had no clue either but gave me some cream and sent me home. It goes away within 4-5 days.

It's obviously happening when I'm outside but I would hate to stay in ALL summer!!

And of course right now my neck has big red blotches on it and is burning and itching and I fly to Vegas tomorrow. Great timing, bugs!!!

Maybe it's a werewolf then?

 

[Lanshark]

Back in the day, we called that a hickie

 

[DisneyJules]

Sounds like a black fly bite? I know my sister was on the east coast last year and got bitten by them, her bites sounded just like yours. They initially did not hurt but swelled up pretty badly, were super itchy and plain uncomfortable.

 

[Kitty 34]

Sounds like a black fly bite? I know my sister was on the east coast last year and got bitten by them, her bites sounded just like yours. They initially did not hurt but swelled up pretty badly, were super itchy and plain uncomfortable.

Yup, that's exactly what has happened to me. I have noticed these little black flies around but when I'm outside I've never really notice one buzzing around me.

Golfgal, I've lived in this house since '84 and never had this happen before. I wonder why they are "new" to our area?? Or unless I'm just now developing a reaction to them?? Who knows. I guess I'm going to have to start using some kind of bug spray.

And hickies.......I've heard they're not too painful.

 

[alexandria674]

Ugh, I get those stupid bites too and it irritates me in the summer. My mom tells me to put chilled cucumbers on the bite for some reason, it sounds weird but it does sooth a little bit.

 

[Pollito916]

I've been having a similar problem with enormous red itch bug bites, but on my left leg. I went to the doc and they don't know what it is, but probably an allergic reaction to either mosquitos or gnats.

I grew up in the midwest where there are way more and way bigger mosquitos and never had a problem like this, but apparently there are different types out here.

Anyway, the doc recommended taking zyrtec and using a benadryl cream on the bites, and that's been helping so far. No new bites in over 3 weeks! Though I was in CA for the last 1.5 weeks....