how do you treat deerf ly & horse fly bites?

how do you treat deerf ly & horse fly bites?

is it infectious ?

Solution #2 - move to Arizona. We've got caves out here, too.

sorry. I am claustrophobic.

I can't live in caves.

Is there another solution?

should I buy a surgical kit ?

For what? Are you a surgeon?

You need to give us a lot more context with regard to what you're doing, where you're doing it, and what kind of training you have. Not just with this question, but with many of the questions you're asking.

I am just a bit worried about getting bitten by horse flies. I don't want a huge puss on my skin.

Okay, a few notes and a reality check (from my part of the world anyway):

If a horsefly or deerfly bites you, it will hurt. Their mandibles are rather like those giant tree-mover trucks -- they just reach in and carve out a hunk of meat.

Avoiding bites is the cure. Their primary prey is large animals (like horses, and deer) who can't protect every square inch of their bodies. This also includes large dogs: when I had Great Danes, they would come roaring up to me for help, because the little buggers would bite them right in the depression where the backbone and tail meet -- the one place dogs cannot reach.

These pests are slow and noisy; you can hardly miss the fact that they are hovering around you. Cover up and apply DEET. Also note that they take a lot of killing; if you knock one to the ground, finish it with full vigour, or it will be back.

Note: if you are backpacking, avoid heavily-travelled horse trails. The pests inhabit the same terrain, for obvious reasons.

I have never heard of a person (in my part of the world) contracting a disease from these. But no doubt this varies with geography, so know your (local) onions.

With medical supplies in general, and surgical supplies in particular, the rule of thumb is that if you're not trained to use it you probably shouldn't buy it. IzzyJG99's advice above is very sound.

should I apply Iodine to the bite wound to disinfect it ?

Is it inappropriate to be soliciting or dispensing medical advice on this forum?

People dispense medical advice on Internet fora all the time, and we have no rule against it.


chaosmagnet

Do what you wish and follow your first aid training, but I believe iodine is no longer recommended for wound disinfection. Are you referring to tincture of iodine (no!)or povidone-iodine?

I don't know about treatment but I will say I had a horsefly bite one time that was worse than any sting I've ever had save a hornet's. Those little monsters can hurt!

I am just wondering what does an average person would do when he/she finds out about horse fly bite. I saw huge puss on youtube that resulted from horse fly bite.

it scares me to see the gigantic puss.

-Blast

What about Dermatovia Hominis (human botfly), once you've medically extracted that larvae from under your scalp or skin you'll have a big hunk of tasty fish bait.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P3yPWqKTjo

YMMV, but I would treat it like any other open wound. Lots of soap and water, flush it out thoroughly, sterilize if you think it necessary, bandage, and monitor for signs of infection. If you suspect a problem, see a physician asap.