This Morning: Dr Ranj discusses horsefly bites

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Horsefly bites are on the rise and they can be very painful. These bites don’t just cause changes to the skin, they can also cause other unpleasant and dangerous symptoms or get infected. Express.co.uk reveals how to tell if you’ve been bitten by a horsefly.

There are 30 different species of horsefly in the UK, and the heatwave is their time to shine.

Horseflies love damp areas and hot weather, so if you live near a creek, woodlands or anywhere with long grass, you’re likely to come into contact with horseflies during the hot weather we’re currently experiencing.

According to the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, peak horsefly season is between May and September.

Horseflies, also known as clegs, bite humans with their very sharp teeth.

These bites aren’t like other bug bites, they cut into the skin and are likely to become infected.

The female horseflies bite but the males don’t. This is because the female has a special mouth that can slice flesh apart to get the blood they need to reproduce.

You might not feel the horsefly land on your skin, but you’ll probably feel the bite.

Horsefly bites are supposed to be more painful than a mosquito bite.

Once you’ve been bitten, the area of skin affected will turn into a larger bump within minutes. 

According to the NHS site, you may also experience the following symptoms:

• a larger red, raised rash (called hives or urticaria)
• dizziness
• weakness
• wheezing
• part of your body becoming puffy and swollen

Horsefly bites can take a while to heal and can become infected, especially if you itch or pick them.

You must see your GP if you have symptoms of an infection, such as pus or increasing pain, redness and swelling.

These symptoms only happen in exceptional cases, and you must seek medical help immediately if they happen to you.

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