Hot weather boosts bite complaints

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Between June 14 and 30, the service received 824 calls about mosquito bites and 2,076 in July. In the first 12 days of August, there were 1,491 calls. The August figures are up 28% when compared with the first 12 days of August last year, when there were 1,157 inquiries.

The news comes after experts predicted that UK weather conditions could be conducive to the spread of mosquitos. The combination of rain and rising temperatures can encourage mosquitos to thrive, they have suggested.

The NHS Direct website has also seen an increasing number of hits to do with mosquito bites.

Between August 6 and 12, an article on insect bites was the most popular out of more than 700 health encyclopaedia features.

In July and early August there were 17,434 website inquiries compared with 12,316 in the same period in 2006.

Helen Young, clinical director and director of nursing at NHS Direct, said: "Most insect bites result in small, local reactions where the symptoms can be easily treated."

She added that although most bites often resulted in a small, itchy lump that lasts only a few days, there can sometimes be a more serious reaction.

"If your bites and the local reactions do not fade away within a few days or your bites get infected or if you have severe symptoms, such as swelling and blistering, you may need to see your doctor

"If you have a severe allergic reaction to an insect bite, such as wheezing, or other signs of respiratory distress, or hypotension (low blood pressure), you should call 999 immediately for medical assistance," she said.