Would you punt with insect bites on show

[lovemachine]

I got six of these bite marks on one leg the other day whilst in the garden in shorts. From some research the visible red area is not contagious but doesn't look ideal. From experience they take about one or two weeks to fully vanish. I know it's better to wait but I'm curious if anyone has gone ahead with the punt with something similar.

[RandomGuy99]

As long as they're not leaking or likely to leak blood and not near your bits then I think you'd be ok.

[shiptonlad]

I pulled out of a meet at the weekend because the redness was hand sized. I thought it was the best thing to do but it's obviously personal choice. Of course the SP might not be too keen and you could be risking a reduced level of service.

[scutty brown]

I pulled out of a meet at the weekend because the redness was hand sized. I thought it was the best thing to do but it's obviously personal choice. Of course the SP might not be too keen and you could be risking a reduced level of service.

Something that big could be a tick bite with a Lyme disease infection. Be careful

[MissWolf]

Something that big could be a tick bite with a Lyme disease infection. Be careful

A tick bit on the leg would be very obvious to the recipient, mainly because a tick latches onto a warm blooded animal when it is small, sometimes just the size of a pin head, then then bury their moth parts into the skin and the capillary blood supply within the skin and begin to feed, the feeding can take upward of 3 days, by which time they become the size of a large pea and a purplish black colour, they then drop off, it is during the feeding that Lyme disease is transferred.

Not all ticks carry lyme disease and many areas are free from it, most ticks will be found in areas of heath and grassland with a permeant or semi permanent population of sheep, dear, rabbits or other wildlife as they need the food source to reproduce etc

I suffer horrendously from reactions to insect bits, a single bite reaction can cover an area of 8 to 12 inches and wrap all the way around my leg, horseflies are especially bad and I spend 6 to 8 months of the year on strong daily antihistamines to try and lessen the effects of bites on me, unfortunately because of the regular job I do I am exposed to insects every day, at present I have approximately 20 bites per leg, all of which have broken out and scabbed over, they itch like mad especially when I am bitten again in spite of the medication, for bookings I always wear stockings, its the only option I have. 

[MissWolf]

I pulled out of a meet at the weekend because the redness was hand sized. I thought it was the best thing to do but it's obviously personal choice. Of course the SP might not be too keen and you could be risking a reduced level of service.

In regards to Scuttys post above, My questions to myself would be,
Where was I when I got the bite
Do I know what bit me, e.g crawling insect, flying bug? (ants can be particularly bad as they spray acid and it burns you)

So basically if you were drinking a cold beer in the garden and a wasp got you then you have nothing to worry about, it will go sown, ice packs and patience is the answer.

[shed]

A tick bit on the leg would be very obvious to the recipient, mainly because a tick latches onto a warm blooded animal when it is small, sometimes just the size of a pin head, then then bury their moth parts into the skin and the capillary blood supply within the skin and begin to feed, the feeding can take upward of 3 days, by which time they become the size of a large pea and a purplish black colour, they then drop off, it is during the feeding that Lyme disease is transferred.

Not all ticks carry lyme disease and many areas are free from it, most ticks will be found in areas of heath and grassland with a permeant or semi permanent population of sheep, dear, rabbits or other wildlife as they need the food source to reproduce etc

I suffer horrendously from reactions to insect bits, a single bite reaction can cover an area of 8 to 12 inches and wrap all the way around my leg, horseflies are especially bad and I spend 6 to 8 months of the year on strong daily antihistamines to try and lessen the effects of bites on me, unfortunately because of the regular job I do I am exposed to insects every day, at present I have approximately 20 bites per leg, all of which have broken out and scabbed over, they itch like mad especially when I am bitten again in spite of the medication, for bookings I always wear stockings, its the only option I have. 

Wow that sounds horrendous. Sympathy for you. 

[TomTank]

I doubt they are tick bites per Miss Wolf's description.
I reckon grass mites, and I personally wouldn't punt with a load of them on my leg, for fear of the unsightliness leading to a not so good service ...

[Malvolio]

Personally I would crack on and have the punt - I'm sure the WG will have seen more unsightly things than a few bites on your leg

[simon07]

Sometimes those areas can get infected with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and a potential sexual transmitted disease. Pictures of impetigo are not pleasant. I would avoid a WG if she had infected skin lesions.

Worth checking with Chemist or GP or even ring 111.

[simon07]

I pulled out of a meet at the weekend because the redness was hand sized. I thought it was the best thing to do but it's obviously personal choice. Of course the SP might not be too keen and you could be risking a reduced level of service.

Maybe a spreading cellulitis?  Is the area hot, tender and increasing in size. An urgent call to NHS pathways.

[Watts.E.Dunn]

cellulitis? dont what that fucker had that years ago, skin still stained badly.

Get it cheked out asap or sooner!

[coachman]

I got Cellulitis after picking up something nasty during a garage clear out (not even my garage!). Was wearing sliders at the time due to heat. My foot and leg resembled something from the elephant man. 6 weeks on still feeling the affects!

[Strawberry]

cellulitis? dont what that fucker had that years ago, skin still stained badly.

Get it cheked out asap or sooner!

Had this 18 years ago, luckily knew what it was, straight to GP via emergency appointment, stopped it right in it's tracks. If I ever have an insect bite reaction spreading rapidly I go straight to GP or out of hours service. Also use antihistamines, apply antiseptic (Dettol or Sudacreme) as soon as I notice any bites and do not scratch. If the itching sensation is bad I use a small amount of hydrocortisone cream. Prevention better than emergency cure. Had approximately 8 bites this year, all dealt with but can be awkward when taking photos. I have a beauty spot on my calf in one or two.

Avon Skin So Soft is a surprising but known insect repellent - the dry oil variety. I put it on whenever going near grass, foliage, waterways. This years bites occured when I hadn't worn it due to not expecting any risky situations.

[Arripotter1971]

I got bit by a snake on the face in Central America 3 weeks ago and i have punted twice with the wound still scabbed up, and neither escort said anything - so some gnat bites wont bother an escort !!!!!

[scutty brown]

I got bit by a snake on the face in Central America 3 weeks ago and i have punted twice with the wound still scabbed up, and neither escort said anything - so some gnat bites wont bother an escort !!!!!

what kind of snake - presumably non-venomous?

[standardpostage]

I got bit by a snake on the face in Central America 3 weeks ago and i have punted twice with the wound still scabbed up, and neither escort said anything - so some gnat bites wont bother an escort !!!!!

Ouch 

[Snipper]

I can't match the snake bite, but I was once stung by two wasps. Can't really blame them as I was destroying their nest at the time. Of course it was only three or four days before a pre-booking with an SP  I hadn't seen before, my hand swelled up and a large, lurid and painful red blotch appeared on my inner thigh.
I decided not to cancel the booking, taking the risk that she might be alarmed and kick me out. As it was she didn't say a word, must have seen worse.

[Mmm1314]

I did go on a punt after being eaten alive by the dreaded Scottish midgie.  Bites were evident all over my legs but no bleeding, scratching etc.  The SP was extremely sympathetic and actually gave me some great advice for relieving them

[TomTank]

Service providers don't say anything about me being old and ugly, but I'm sure it can affect the service I get

[PunTor13]

A tick bit on the leg would be very obvious to the recipient, mainly because a tick latches onto a warm blooded animal when it is small, sometimes just the size of a pin head, then then bury their moth parts into the skin and the capillary blood supply within the skin and begin to feed, the feeding can take upward of 3 days, by which time they become the size of a large pea and a purplish black colour, they then drop off, it is during the feeding that Lyme disease is transferred.

Not all ticks carry lyme disease and many areas are free from it, most ticks will be found in areas of heath and grassland with a permeant or semi permanent population of sheep, dear, rabbits or other wildlife as they need the food source to reproduce etc

Correct that needs to be an area Lyme disease is endemic to.... But the areas where it is found in the UK seems to be expanding year on year (it used to be just the New Forest!)

The main risk is tick exposure rather than recognised tick bite.
This is because (as you've said correctly) the risk relates to duration of attachment / feeding. Bite somewhere you can spot from a big tick : you notice and can remove it!
So, I'd have to disagree with "very obvious to recipient", as : Bite from a nymph (the third stage of the lifecycle, but the first that will bite [egg and larva won't bite....], one down from adult, so small!)), somewhere you won't notice (back of knee??): stays attached longer, higher risk of transmission if tick carrying Lyme.
Adults can be 3-5mm, up to 10mm when engorged, with nymphs 1mm.

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I suffer horrendously from reactions to insect bits, a single bite reaction can cover an area of 8 to 12 inches and wrap all the way around my leg, horseflies are especially bad and I spend 6 to 8 months of the year on strong daily antihistamines to try and lessen the effects of bites on me, unfortunately because of the regular job I do I am exposed to insects every day, at present I have approximately 20 bites per leg, all of which have broken out and scabbed over, they itch like mad especially when I am bitten again in spite of the medication, for bookings I always wear stockings, its the only option I have. 

Ouch!