Horse Fly Bite Pictures, Symptoms, Treatment

Introduction

Horse flies are large, aggressive flies that can deliver a very painful bite. Their bites often result in a raised welt or bump surrounded by redness and irritation. Being able to identify a horse fly bite can help you determine the proper treatment.

This guide provides photos and descriptions of horse fly bites to aid in identification. We’ll cover:

• What horse flies are
• Symptoms of a horse fly bite
• What a horse fly bite looks like
• Horse fly bite pictures
• Treatment for horse fly bites
• Prevention of horse fly bites

Knowing how to recognize horse fly bites and manage symptoms can provide relief if you have the misfortune of being bitten.

What Are Horse Flies?

Horse flies are a type of biting fly that are known for their painful bites. There are over 300 species of horse flies in North America.

Some key facts about horse flies:

• Get their name from commonly attacking horses
• Large, robust flies from 0.5 - 1.25 inches long
• Prefer to inhabit warmer environments
• Only female horse flies bite as they require blood to develop eggs
• Have cutting mouthparts used to lacerate skin and lap up blood
• Bites can be very painful and slow to heal

Horse flies are attracted to moving objects and animals emitting carbon dioxide. They can be quite aggressive when seeking a blood meal.

Symptoms of a Horse Fly Bite

Horse fly bites cause the following symptoms:

• Sharp pain - Bites usually feel extremely painful, similar to being stabbed with a needle.
• Swelling - A raised welt or bump will quickly form at the bite site surrounded by swelling.
• Redness - The swollen bite area reddens as blood rushes to the wound.
• Itching - Bites can feel intensely itchy as they heal.
• Bruising - Some bites bruise or turn purple as blood pools under the skin.

In rare cases, horse fly bites may trigger a severe allergic reaction with symptoms like wheezing, throat swelling, and difficulty breathing. Seek immediate medical care if you experience these symptoms.

What Does a Horse Fly Bite Look Like?

A horse fly bite typically appears as:

• A raised, swollen welt or bump
• Surrounded by redness and irritation
• Often 1/4 inch across or larger
• May have a visible puncture point where bitten
• Can feel hot and painful to the touch
• May develop into an itchy rash as it heals

Horse fly bites can bleed slightly if the skin is pierced deeply. Some people may bruise or develop hives around the bite area as well.

The bump and swelling typically go down within a few days. But bites can leave behind itchy inflamed patches or scabs as they heal.

Horse Fly Bite Pictures

Here are some pictures of horse fly bites to aid in identification:

Fresh Horse Fly Bites

This is how a fresh horse fly bite usually looks with swelling, redness, and a central puncture point:

Early horse fly bites often ooze a little blood or plasma:

Healing Horse Fly Bites

This is a healing horse fly bite that is scabbing over with residual swelling:

Some bites bruise badly as they heal:

This picture shows the inflammation and itchy red bumps that can occur around a bite:

Treating Horse Fly Bites

To treat horse fly bites:

• Clean the bite - Use soap and water to gently clean the bitten area.
• Apply ice - Ice the bite for 10 minutes at a time to reduce swelling.
• Elevate - If bitten on an arm or leg, keep it elevated to prevent swelling.
• Take antihistamines - Antihistamines like Benadryl can help reduce itching and swelling.
• Use hydrocortisone cream - This OTC cream eases itching and inflammation.
• Avoid scratching - This can open the wound and cause infection.

See your doctor if bites show signs of infection like increased pain, redness, swelling, or pus. Infected bites may require antibiotic treatment.

Preventing Horse Fly Bites

You can take these steps to avoid being bitten by horse flies:

• Wear light-colored clothing
• Avoid perfumes, scented lotions
• Stay away from standing water sources
• Keep skin covered when outdoors
• Use an insect repellent containing DEET
• Stay indoors during peak biting times
• Use protective screens on stables and barns

Controlling horse fly populations by eliminating breeding sites can also help reduce bites. Speak to an exterminator about strategies to keep horse flies under control.

When to See a Doctor

Consult a doctor if you experience:

• Signs of infection like pus, worsening redness or swelling
• Flu-like symptoms following a bite
• Multiple bites
• An allergic reaction with symptoms like hives, wheezing, or throat swelling
• Intensely painful bites that do not respond to self-care

Seeking medical treatment can help prevent complications and reduce your risk of any long-term issues from horse fly bites.

The Bottom Line

Horse flies can deliver a very painful bite that results in significant swelling, redness, and irritation. These photos of horse fly bites can help you determine if you were bitten by a horse fly. Treating bites properly and taking steps to avoid horse flies can help provide symptom relief and prevent future bites.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.