I've been bitten!

[HeyWayne]

Was on the plot the other evening and felt something tickle my foot (I was wearing flip-flops at the time), at first I thought it was a weed or something, but it persisted so I looked and brushed it off at the same time. I didn't tale much notice of what it was, but it was small, yet too big to be a mosquito. There was a small dot of blood left and I thought nothing more of it.

Anyway, last night I noticed that my foot had swollen up quite a bit, but again, thought it was nothing unusual as I tend to react to bites on my feet. This morning I woke up and my foot was swollen even more, but I came into work and continued about my day. Showed my foot to one of the women at work and she suggested I go to the doctors as it looks like the swelling is travelling up my leg....

It's quite painful, and feels like sunburn, so I've booked to see the nurse this afternoon - I'll take a photo of my elephant foot this afternoon and share the lovely thing with you all.

Moral to the story - wear proper footwear!

[Hazel at the Hill]

.....and make sure your tetanus jabs are up to date!

[Nicos]

I always make sure that I have my mobile on me when I'm on the lottie, as a lot of the time there is no-one around, and you never know when an emergency may occur and you may need an ambulance.

Hope the leg settles soon- sounds really painful

[moggssue]

Ohh, oww HW - hope it isnt anything too serious or too painful?

[HeyWayne]

I've now resorted to putting my flip-flops on, I don't care if it looks daft with my shirt and trousers. It Urts!

Got an appointment to see the nurse this afternoon - 4:30. Probably get a course of antibodies, just in time for the weekend. No drink for me. Boo!

[Alice]

Hey Wayne, what a shame. When you get home put a cold compress on it ( a bag of frozen peas works great and it keep it elevated on a stool or something. When the swelling goes down it will be much less painful. And for the future - proper footwear. I hope your weekend is not totally ruined.

[yoanbob]

ask the nurse if its ok to drink most anti biotics just increase the effects of alcohol slightly so you can still drink if your carefull, would imagine tho that you will get an antihistamine and or an oral or topical steroid. good luck.

[Madasafish]

Marmite eaten daily reduces the incidence of bug attacks..(seriously.. based on research)

[Palustris]

? 'cos you are too busy being sick to go outside?

[shirley]

Well it sounds like you need AB's. Are you sure it was not a tick?...anyway hope you soon feel better

[yoanbob]

its vitamin b1 found in large quantities in marmite that does it, or yopu can buy supliments, you need to take continuously for 2 weeks before it has any effect.

[zorro]

Some people at my work place have been bitten recently and most of them have complained of huge swellings where they were bit. I've heard a few people talk about insects like the mozzie coming over to Britain recently and I would'nt be surprised if thats what they are.

[rustylady]

We don't need foreign insects, our own are bad enough! I react really badly to horsefly and midge bites. At least they don't carry malaria (YET). Even without the biting insects, I would always advise wearing proper footwear when gardening (based on personal experience). It's so easy to think, I'm only going to *** , won't take long, etc. I made the stupid mistake of trying to edge a lawn wearing Scholl sandals. OK, I only needed to make a few cuts, but I ended slipping off the spade and cutting into the bottom of my foot. Painful, bloody, but fortunately it didn't get infected. Now I always make sure I wear my fave boots (don't do wellies). I got some walking boots from Milletts around 3 years ago, cost me £30, but worth their weight in gold. Good treads, so you don't slip, leather uppers, so your feet don't sweat, and sturdy enough to last at least a few seasons. Best way to avoid insect bites is to keep covered, long trousers, long sleeves, boots, and use Jungle Formula on exposed bits of skin. It really is worth it.

[Peter]

Malaria used to be common in britain, read your history, it was referred to as "ague".

[Sue]

Heywayne
It wouldn't be red ants would it? I got bitten a while ago, felt it and looked down, unfortunately hadn't got my glasses but it didn't seem winged and it was reddish, whatever it was.
Didn't react as badly as you, but my calf swelled up, horrible hard area behind the bite and the itching was terrible for at least a week.
Sue