Brits warned of summer season invasion from ‘Dracula’ horseflies, which can ‘bite through clothes’
When the weather is hot, like this week, many people just need some sun.
But apart from frequent flies and now mosquitoes, this summer season Brits want to worry about flying horrors.
Experts have warned of the rise of ‘Dracula’ horseflies, which are resistant to most repellents.
Commonly seen in Mediterranean international locations, the combination of hot weather and sudden downpours in Britain so far this summer season has proven to be a suitable location for these quiet bloodsuckers.
Bitten victims may go into anaphylactic shock. If their throats swell, they can suffocate and possibly die without medical treatment (File Image)
The picture shows a piece of wing on the ankle. Other results of a vampire bat bite include swelling of the limbs, dizziness, shortness of breath, and painful, itchy pores and skin rashes (File Image)
They can cause harmful infections and cause painful bites and are undoubtedly a serious threat to public safety.
Female vampire horseflies feed on blood, causing infections and painful swellings that may not be completely treatable with existing antibiotics.
Vampire horsefly bites tend to take longer to heal than most insect bites and are at an excessive risk of becoming contaminated, especially if scratched.
Other consequences of vampire bat bites include swelling of the limbs, dizziness, shortness of breath, and painful, itchy pores and skin rashes.
Talking to Day starAlice Duvall, from Amesbury, Wiltshire, revealed she suffered from ‘intolerance’ which left a ‘huge red mark which immediately began to swell’.
She added: “They’re really sneaky too – I never felt it on me, I just knew it when it bit me.” It didn’t buzz or anything like a wasp or a bee.
Another sufferer, Dean Collins, from Brighton, said: “I was in the park with my girlfriend and I got bitten on the leg by a horsefly.
“Man, that hurts so much, way worse than a wasp sting.”
Another sufferer mentioned: “I have been ravaged by horse fly bites. One became infected. Terrible’.
If bitten victims go into anaphylactic shock, they can develop swelling in their throats, which means they can suffocate and possibly die without immediate medical attention.
The British Pest Control Association has put horseflies at the top of their ‘Bites to avoid’ list, along with black widow spiders and mosquitoes (file image)
According to Antibiotic Research UK, the rapid increase in their population only increases the importance of developing new antibiotics as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, the British Pest Control Association has included horseflies on its top code list, along with black widow spiders and mosquitoes.
It warns: “Literally designed to eat a horse, their bite is both impressive and painful.
“The horse fly is a blood-feeding insect, and that’s why it wants to bite you.
“They can chase you relentlessly at about 15 mph and it will bite right through your clothing.
“It has jaws that can rip and tear flesh.”
The BPCA recommends eliminating standing water near homes, as well as swimming pools and hot tubs, to help control flies.
The NHS says horse fly bites “can be very painful and make the bitten pores and skin purple and raised”.
It is important to know that signs embody pores and skin rash, dizziness, weakness and wheezing, shortness of breath and swollen limbs.
And if you are bitten, it is approved to wipe the piece with an antiseptic and cover the wound with an ice pack to stop infection and swelling.
If you might be scratched, the bites may take longer to heal because they are very itchy.
What to do if you are bitten or stung by an insect
Bites can cause painful swelling as females feed on blood (File Image)
According to the NHS, there are a number of steps to take if you have been stung by a horsefly, or have been stung or bitten by another insect:
- If possible, remove the sting or note if it is still in the pores and skin
- Thoroughly wash the affected pores and skin with soapy water
- Apply an ice pack or other cool compress for at least ten minutes
- If possible, elevate the bitten or stung part of the body to reduce swelling
- Avoid scratching the bitten or stung area
- Avoid using common household treatments like vinegar
- Contact your doctor immediately if the stung or bitten area feels painful, swollen, purple, or full of pus, as any of these signs could indicate an infection.
The NHS states: “Bites can take time to heal and can become contaminated.
“If you have symptoms of infection, such as pus or increasing pain, redness and swelling, contact your doctor.”
