You can’t usually see the bite and go “Ah, a horse fly!” But you can guess. If the welt appeared instantly with a sharp stab of pain, it’s a horse fly. Mosquitoes are sneaky; horse flies are furiously obvious.
Another clue: horse flies love heat and movement. They’ll chase you on a sunny day like you’re the last ice cream cone on earth. They also bite right through thin clothing, leaving a weird little grid pattern if you were wearing a mesh shirt. (Please don’t wear a mesh shirt to a horse fly party.)
The Aftermath: What Not to Do
First, don’t panic. You will not turn into a horse-fly-zombie. Second, don’t scratch it open, even though it feels better than your first cup of coffee. Scratching opens the door to infection, turning your sour souvenir into a miserable, pus-filled saga.
Stages of Horse Fly Bite: Symptoms, Pictures, and Treatment
Do wash it with soap and water, then apply a cold pack to reduce the swelling. If it looks like a bullseye or if you get a fever, call a doctor—that could be a tick bite (these little jerks often get confused with horse fly bites) or an allergic reaction.
