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What to do if you’ve been bitten by a horsefly as they descend on Manchester in the heat
These flies carry a seriously painful bite…
As the heatwave continues to grip the nation, the higher temperatures and humid conditions have brought with it a myriad of horseflies.
We can never just enjoy the nice weather in peace, can we?
Horseflies – known unaffectionately as clegs – are large, hairy flies with bites that pack a serious punch.
The pesky insects are known to thrive in warm and humid conditions so, as you can imagine, Greater Manchester is swarming with them at the moment.
Christopher Randall Brown / Wikimedia Commons
A bite from a horsefly can be seriously painful and, though not considered to be generally harmful, they can lead to some nasty infections.
If you’ve been bitten, the NHS advises the following.
Bite hack 101: Clean the area. It’s important to keep the bite clean because if bacteria gets into the skin it can become infected. It’s best to clean the wound with an antiseptic soap and warm water. It will also help to keep the wound covered to prevent infection.
The website also recommends applying a cold compress, which will soothe the bitten area and stop any itchiness or inflammation. Elevating the affected area has also been proven to help reduce swelling.
Though if you’re looking for a quick remedy, doctors have been known to recommend using an over-the-counter steroid cream containing hydrocortisone. Ibuprofen gel can also help ease any pain and swelling.
The official NHS website says: “A bite from a horsefly can be very painful and the bitten area of skin will usually be red and raised.
“Horsefly bites can take a while to heal and can become infected. See your GP if you have symptoms of an infection, such as pus or increasing pain, redness and swelling.”
You should contact your GP or 111 if the symptoms do not improve within a few days, if you’ve been stung around the eyes or mouth, if you develop flu like symptoms or if the bite becomes infected. Dial 999 if you began wheezy or dizzy, experience nausea or vomiting or you lose consciousness.