h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

i was so unaware of this i got bit around 2 weeks ago on my foot which blistered which is about 3cm by 1cm i rubbed and burst bister in the village i live which is near sturmister newton which the river stur runs through.

i heard of others bitten but did not think about it it was only tonight when someone mentioned the blandford fly which i then googled and f me sideways i realised what had bit me i am 37 years old why have i never heard of this fly.

I have had swine flu which was crap and i felt like i wanted to die but had no more than flu and yes a man so was much worst that what it was but got over it in about 5 days

2 weeks on i still have a hole in my foot which still has not scabbed and healed i have not even heard of this on local news

not a happy bunny

Dear me dracobjarki, that sounds unpleasant. We can only suggest, if it doesn't heal, that you seek the advice of your GP. This fly does indeed sound like a menace. But thank you for sharing your story - and welcome to h2g2 (we only wish it was more pleasant circumstances that lead you to the site - but it's nice to have you!)

Well, hopefully he has recovered during the space of over 1 year!

(It's odd that this convo has started up this week as I was only thinking of the Blanford Fly a couple of days ago - when I bought some Blandford Fly in Waitrose.

2009/2010 - it's such an easy mistake to make.

I live in Reading, Berkshire and I have found had a problem with Blandford fly since we moved here. The NHS claims on their site that the closest the flies have gotten to us is oxfordshire, but I beg to differ.

The sudden burst of warmth this spring has also made the little buggers hatch early and they aren't shy. If you stand still in the garden in the evening they're all over you.

I'm always out in the garden which means I get bitten frequently and have had really nasty sellulitis on my legs.

Is there anything we can do to eradicate them ourselves?

I have been bitten twice in as many weeks by one of these little fellas. Each time the area has swollen up like a baloon, really swollen up! The first bite was my left ankle and I had trouble getting my shoe on the next day. A blister appeared about the size of a kidney bean follwed by a sore and swollen lymph node in my groin a few days later, all in a week from start to finish. Kopped for another bite yesterday evening on my elbow whilst sat in the garden and today my forearm and elbow are very swollen. You can imagine how pleased I was this afternoon when cuttting the grass, your ahread of me i'm sure..yes kopped another one on the right shin!!! Managed to catch the little blighter mid bit so am hopeful for less of a reation by tomorrow morning. For me the cup is always half full and the swelling has provided some amusement for friends and the wife. If you push a finger or an object in to the swelling it holds the shape for ages, entertaining for them weirdly?

Have tried anti histamine over the counter which I think helped. Have been laughing about what would happen if one bit my ear or face, hilarious consequences and some treasured photos to look forward to.

Not a fan of the Blandford fly but not painful so will live with it and certainly not a big enough deal to trouble a doctor over.

Here, console yourself with some of this http://www.hall-woodhouse.co.uk/beers/badgerales/blandfordfly.asp