How to Cure Horsefly Bites

An adult horsefly is one of the largest flies in the world. The female horsefly slices the skin with knife-like mandibles instead of biting to obtain blood. This makes the bite more painful and slower to heal. Normal symptoms of a horsefly bite include a rash, red and itchy skin around the bite, and wheezing. Because of the nature of the bite, horsefly bites can become infected more easily than other types of insect bites if not treated quickly.

Things You'll Need

• Soap
• Water
• Bandage or gauze
• Aloe vera gel or juice
• Ice pack
• Topical cream

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash the site of the horsefly bite thoroughly with soap and water.

• 2

  Apply a small amount of aloe vera to the bite or bites. The antibiotic properties of the aloe helps protect against infection.

• 3

  Apply over-the-counter anti-histamine or hydrocortisone ointment to the area to reduce itching or irritation, if desired.

• 4

  Cover the bite or bites with a bandage or gauze to keep the area clean and dry.

• 5

  Place an ice pack on the site on top of the bandage for up to 20 minutes to further reduce inflammation and pain.