Bug Bites

What are bug bites?

Most bites and stings trigger nothing more than minor discomfort, but some encounters can be deadly, especially if you have severe allergies to the animal’s venom. Insects, such as bees, ants, fleas, flies, mosquitoes, and wasps, and arachnids, such as spiders, ticks, and scorpions, may bite or sting if you get close.

Most bites and stings trigger nothing more than minor discomfort, but some encounters can be deadly, especially if you have severe allergies to the animal’s venom. Some insect bites are part of the transmission of certain diseases like (mosquito and yellow fever/malaria). A severe allergic reaction can happen with any bug bite or sting, depending on the person.

Venom allergies may cause a dangerous, severe allergic reaction in some people, resulting in swelling, generalized itching, and difficulty breathing. Anaphylaxis can be a life-threatening emergency. Anaphylaxis can cause symptoms, including rash, low pulse, and anaphylactic shock. This can be fatal if it isn’t treated immediately.

What are some common insect bites?

• A mosquito bite is a small, round, puffy bump that appears soon after you’ve been bitten. The bump will become red, hard, swollen, and itchy.
• Fire ant stings/kakape: Stings appear as swollen red spots that develop a blister on top. Stings burn, itch, and last up to a week.
• Bedbug bites cause an itchy rash caused by an allergic reaction to the bite. Bites often appear on spaces not covered by clothing. Head and body lice also have similar bite pattern.
  
• Symptoms caused by scabies mites may take 4 to 6 weeks to appear. The extremely itchy rash may be pimply, made up of tiny blisters, or scaly.
• Bee sting cause pain, redness, swelling, or itching occurs at the site of the sting. A white spot appears where the stinger punctured the skin. Wasp sting is similar with a raised painful swelling/welt around the sting.
• Scorpion stings are toxic and cause intense pain, tingling, numbness, and swelling occur around the sting. Rare symptoms include breathing difficulties, muscle twitching, drooling, sweating, nausea, vomiting, an increased heart rate, restlessness, and excitability. Severe symptoms are more likely in infants and children than adults.

How can you treat an insect bite?

To treat a bite or sting:

• Remove the stinger if it’s lodged in your skin.
• Wash the affected area.
• Apply an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling. Topical anti-itch creams, oral pain relievers, and antihistamines may be used to combat uncomfortable symptoms. A thin paste of baking soda may relieve symptoms.  Some insects such as mosquitoes and fleas may carry disease causing parasites.
• If there is severe reaction to a bite or a sting, loosen the victims clothing and lay them on their side, then seek medical attention immediately.