Woman’s horrific blisters after being bitten by ‘bloodsucking’ FLY as heatwave sparks invasion
A WOMAN shared an image of the gruesome blisters on her face after she was bitten by a bloodsucking fly. Suzanne Bannister, 44, was bitten by a blandford fly, during the Bank Holiday heatwave. Many on social media also shared images of their blistered and swollen bites from the weekend. Mrs Bannister was enjoying a […]
A WOMAN shared an image of the gruesome blisters on her face after she was bitten by a bloodsucking fly.
Suzanne Bannister, 44, was bitten by a blandford fly, during the Bank Holiday heatwave.
Many on social media also shared images of their blistered and swollen bites from the weekend.
Mrs Bannister was enjoying a family barbecue in her garden over the Bank Holiday weekend and didn’t think she had been bitten.
After she was bitten, a puss-filled welt appeared on her cheek as well as on her ankle.
She told HullLive: “That night I slept with the covers off and kept waking up scratching my ankles.
“They were red and swollen and was a little lumpy on my face but the one on my ankle was more widespread.
“I thought it would go down but I could see it getting bigger and it was quite a dark red.”
What is a blandford fly?
The Blandford fly, scientific name Simulium posticatum, is a species of bloodsucking black fly found across Europe from Turkey to Scandinavia.
They are only a tenth of an inch long (2-3mm) but pack a painful bite.
Larvae hatch and feed in plants next to slow-flowing rivers and lakes.
When the adult flies emerge, the females seek a blood meal before mating. Numbers peak in May and June.
The flies usually stay low to the ground so ankles and legs are the places most likely to be bitten.
The itching on her face and her ankle was so painful it forced her to see her GP after thinking she had an infection.
She was given antibiotics to take for the next week.
Mrs Bannister said her bites “stung like a cold sore” and they turned into blisters.
After googling different bites she thought it may have been a horse fly, but determined it was a blandford fly.
The insect travels low to the ground and bites are commonly found on ankles and feet.
They are more commonly seen in summer months during warmer weather and prefer to feast on blood.
Experts have issued advice about the bloodsuckers.
Professor Rod Thomson, Director of Public Health for Herefordshire, told the Ross Gazette in May: “We are seeing more cases of blandford fly bites across the county, especially as the weather has been getting warmer over the past few weeks.
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“We are asking people to take precautions if they’re out and about on our rivers and streams by covering up and using a good quality insect repellent.
“If you do get bitten, it can often feel very uncomfortable with swelling, blistering, joint pain and sometimes a high temperature. However, there’s normally no need to visit a GP.
“If you do feel unwell after a bite, please call NHS 111 or visit your local pharmacy for advice on how to ease your discomfort. For the majority of people, the symptoms will only last a few days before clearing up.”
What to do if you get bitten by a blandford fly?
- Clean the bite area and dry gently
- Don’t scratch it, as this can break the skin and lead to infection
- Apply a cold compress or calamine lotion
- Antihistamine creams are not recommended, as they can sometimes cause skin reactions
- Cover large blisters with a dry dressing
- Rest swollen ankles and feet supported on a stool
Seek medical advice if you have:
- Discomfort, swelling or red lines in the groin or armpit
- A fever
- A spreading redness or hotness around the bite, which lasts longer than three days
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