A species of fly which can cause fevers and blisters with its bites has entered the UK.
The Blandford fly, which thrives in the heat, has been known to cause serious reactions and make people very ill.
The blood-sucking critter flies low to the ground, so usually targets people's ankles and feet. People are being warned to be extra vigilant, reports Cambridgeshire Live .
If you have been bitten, there are a few things you must do in order to treat it quickly.
You have to clean the bite as soon as possible and dry it gently.
Do not under any circumstances scratch the bite, as it could become infected.
Apply a cold compress or calamine lotion to cool it down, but don't use antihistamine creams as they can sometimes cause skin reactions.
Cover large blisters with a dry dressing, and rest your feet supported on a stool if you are bitten on your legs or ankles.
Swelling often lasts for days, so it's important to reduce the pressure.
About the Blandford fly
The Blandford fly - a 2-3mm bloodsucking black fly - can give people a nasty bite and leaves some requiring medical attention.
The bugs, which are more prevalent during the summer, lives near areas of water and gives a particularly painful bite.
According to Wikipedia, the Blandford fly's English common name derives from a major outbreak of people being bitten around the town of Blandford Forum in Dorset, in the 1960s and 1970s.
In a four-week period during the spring of 1972, some 600 people were estimated to have visited their doctors in Blandford to be treated for insect bites.
When you should seek medical advice
You should seek medical advice immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Discomfort, swelling or red lines in the groin or armpit
- A fever
- Blistering
- A spreading redness or hotness around the bite, which lasts longer than three days
