Can you be allergic to horsefly bites

Always seek the advice and assistance of a physician if a horse fly bite becomes infected or symptoms become serious. Call Residential Commercial. Russian Wheat Aphids. Biology of Fruit Flies.

Fruit Fly Genetics. Fruit Fly Behavior. Horseflies, also known as clegs, have razor-sharp jaws which cut into the skin rather than piercing it. Unlike mosquitoes who release a mild anaesthetic, horseflies don't, which is one of the reasons their bites are so painful.

Once the horsefly has locked into your skin, it will suck the blood, causing a sharp burning sensation. In most cases, this will lead to itchiness, inflammation, and swelling around the bite area. It's uncommon to have a serious allergy to horsefly bites, but extra symptoms to look out for include dizziness, wheezing and swollen skin around the eye and lips.

Always seek medical advice if you are unsure. Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. Looking for some positivity? Get Country Living magazine posted through your letterbox every month. Type keyword s to search.

What does a horsefly bite look like? However, horseflies are not usually harmful to humans and do not transmit severe diseases. They are only usually dangerous to horses. Fortunately, the vast majority of horsefly bites cause few problems apart from occasionally becoming infected. However, a tiny number of people that are bitten may experience allergic reactions or even a severe reaction called anaphylaxis which is a medical emergency.

Using a simple over the counter antihistamine treatment is usually sufficient to clear this. If anaphylactic reaction occurs, urgent medical attention is required. If the affected person carries an auto-adrenaline injecting device this should be given immediately. Treating a horsefly bite is very much the same as treating any other insect bite , but they are slightly more likely to become infected because of the nature of the bite. General points to remember if you have been bitten include:.

Can you reduce the risk of being bitten by a horsefly? There are a number of practical ways of reducing your chances of being bitten:. Some people like to use insect repellents to keep them away but in fact there is little evidence these work in preventing horsefly bites.