[waterbuffalofarmer]

I was picking ragwort the other day, what is remaining of it, and I felt a bit of pain and itchiness, it went away and today I have 3 big bites on my arm, one under my bra strap and 1 just above my backside, they're like big hives and so itchy. Has anyone got any recommendations for stuff to put on them to alleviate the itchiness and reduce swelling if poss?
Thanks

[Bionic]

The horseflies love me too. I just use antihistamine cream on mine.

I have to be careful though as I had one that became infected and had to have a course of antibiotics. Just don't scratch them.

[Penninehillbilly]

There is another fly in the horse fly type, but folds it's wings flat, called a Cleg  (+g? ).
Ivery been bitten a few times on my arms or legs, can turn very nasty, ended up at A&European a few times +ABs.  Dr advises Piriton tablets,  I always keep some in and start taking as soon as little lump starts looking like a swollen reddish patch.
Last time hospital doctor drew a line round it (most of my arm by then), said if it went beyond that,  I had a red line , or started to feel confused I'd to get back there without delay, they'd wanted to keep me in on a drip but I wanted to go home.
Scary.
Get to doctor or Hospital if you feel it's getting worrying.

[Anke]

Pyriton - Chlorphenamine Maleate. Ask for those instead of Pyriton, much cheaper. Almost all of the anti-histamines are now available as generics.

I find them useful for bee stings. Always take one before going into the hives.

[Black Sheep]

Hydrocortisone cream (or whatever steroid cream you can lay your hands on). Small amount once or twice a day will help. Also an antihistamine tablet that is suitable for you. You can also use ice as temporary itch relief - rub an ice cube over the bite for a few minutes.

And definitely agree with Bionic - watch them for signs of infection or exaggerated reaction, which is reasonably often with horseflies.

On the plus side at least the ones over here are only bluebottle sized. Saw a bunch in Poland last month that were the size of my little finger! 

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Thanks for the advise guys I really appreciate it, def will keep an eye on them in case of infection. Thanks again guys!

[devonlady]

Mouthwash, surprisingly, is good at soothing insect bites.

[YorkshireLass]

Peppermint essential oil takes out the heat from the bite site, maybe that's why mouthwash helps?

[sabrina]

I use neat TCP. It stinks but helps.

[Fleecewife]

When they get you, horseflies tear off a strip of skin.  This, plus the fact of the fly's lifestyle, is why they are prone to become infected.

[Lesley Silvester]

I used to get bitten by clegs and they are vicious. I second what Penninehillbilly said except I always took a Piriton as soon as I was bitten. Often ended up on antibiotics as well because of the hard lump that I invariably ended up with. Midges can also cause a reaction in me so I go for the antihitamines then. I even get bitten by house flies.

[Hellybee]

Tcp

[Foobar]

Clean it and then stick a plaster on it so that it can't be rubbed (and hence itch), then ignore it .  Unless it swells up like a squash ball, in which case see a doc .