mountain coward wrote:..The bite then itches solidly and horridly ... swells up dramatically
One got me today betwixt car and house - fast mover. Bit back of my left hand just above ring finger. From bitter experience I removed said ring before my hand blew up - two knuckles and a finger joint all puffed up and bright red, and the swelling has now spread to about 5cm diameter from bite, and itches like ****. Ring won't now go on! I tried bracken, but although it may have eased the itch, othewrwise didn't seem to do much. The Laphroaig is helping tho'...
Only ONCE, in my teens, have I had a cleg bite on my foot - could not get my work shoes or walking boots on for over 3 days. These days I'm *very* cautious about exposing my feet when they are about.
Nasty, nasty NASTY blighters.