Insect bites and stings|Healthy LifeStyle

Insect bites and stings

By: RICK HUTCH

Insect bites and stings occur when an insect is agitated and seeks to defend itself through its natural defense mechanisms, or when an insect seeks to feed off the bitten person. Insects inject formic acid, which can cause an immediate skin reaction often resulting in redness and swelling in the injured area. The sting from fire ants, bees, wasps and hornets are usually painful, and may stimulate dangerous allergic reaction called anaphylaxis for at-risk patients. Wasps can bite and sting at the same time.
Symptoms Of Insect Bites And Stings
Symptoms suggesting a systemic might include, shortness of breath or hoarseness, hives, facial swelling, trouble swallowing or fainting. These symptoms can occur within minutes of the bite.
Flying insects tend to bite exposed areas not covered by clothing, while some bugs (such as fleas) focus on the lower legs. Bedbugs prefer the head and neck area, often biting several times in the same area and leaving a group of lesions.
Insect and spider bites often cause minor swelling, redness, pain, and itching. These mild reactions are common and may last from a few hours to a few days. Home treatment is often all that is needed to relieve the symptoms of a mild reaction to common stinging or biting insects and spiders.
Prevention of Insect Bites And Stings
Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
Avoid being outside when the insect is most active. Many insects that cause itchy bites are most active at sunrise or sunset (e.g., Chiggers, No-See-Ums, Mosquitoes).
Insect repellents containing DEET also seem to be effective in preventing many itchy insect bites. Read the label carefully.
Treatment of Insect Bites And Stings
The best treatment for insect bites is preventing the bite in the first place. I recommend usingmedium potency DEET containing products that are longlasting.
To help prevent secondary infection you can try a topical antibiotic.
DEET (n-diethyl-m-toluamide) is still the most effective chemical that is safe for skin application to prevent both tick and mosquito bites. DEET has been in existence since 1957, and when used at a strength of 30% or less, is still acceptable. Problems arise in the elderly and children when concentrations higher than 10% are used and when the lotion is applied over a large surface area.
When to consult a doctor: Stop using this product and consult your doctor if you have symptoms lasting longer than seven days or symptoms that clear up and then reoccur within a few days. This may be a sign of infection.
Most reactions to insect bites are mild, causing little more than an annoying itching or stinging sensation and mild swelling that disappear within a day or so. A delayed reaction may cause fever, hives, painful joints and swollen glands. You might experience both the immediate and the delayed reactions from the same insect bite or sting. Only a small percentage of people develop severe reactions (anaphylaxis) to insect venom.
If you have a severe allergic reaction to an insect bite, such as wheezing, or other signs of respiratory distress, or hypo tension, you should call 999 immediately for medical assistance.
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