Insect Bites - the Return of the Super Bugs

By Angela Gooch on July 26th, 2007

They’re here again the menacing insect bites!

Remember last year when the people of Skegness were being bitten by ‘mystery insects’? Well the super bugs are back with avengence. Local chemists and the hospital have been innundated with victims seeking relief from the painful bites.

There is speculation in the town that the vicious bites by the bugs are an aftermath of the recent floods, but we reported a similar onslaught last summer.

Read on for advice on treating the bites…

7th September 2006

insect bites

Mystery insects are attacking people in Skegness.
Bites from the super bugs are causing large local lumps (pictured left) which are swollen, quite painful and itchy. Some of the victims have developed pea-like bubbles where they have been bitten. A local pharmacist told Skegness News on Video “People are reacting to the bites in several ways”.
Several of the victims said they were in grassed areas, or amongst trees when they were bitten.
The manager of a local pharmacy said there had been an increased number of people who had been bitten coming into the chemist for treatment advice over the last three days.
The manager added, “We have run out of supplies and have had to order more stock from an alternative supplier”.
The pharmacy is advising people who have been bitten to use a preparation like *E45 hydrocortisone cream (not to be used on children under the age of two), or an antihistamine cream like Anthisan. Children under two years old should be treated with calamine lotion. TCP should help reduce the swelling, as an alternative.

Antihistimine tablets like Piriton, clarityn or loratidine may aslo be taken by adults, but please read the label as some may cause drowsiness. Again, ask your pharmacist for a clinical check. Using an insect repellent should help decrease the chance of being attacked by the super bugs.
The insects have since been identified as mosquitos.
*If you are taking any other medicines, or know you are allergic to hydrocortisone, you must ask your pharmacist before you use the preparations.