Insect and spider bites and how to deal with them

Insect bites are puncture wounds or lacerations made by insects. An insect may bite when it is agitated and defends itself, or when it wants to feed.

Insects typically inject formic acid. This can lead to blisters, inflammation, redness, swelling, pain, itching, and irritation.

The reaction depends on the type of insect and the individual's sensitivity.

Bites from fleas, mites, and mosquitoes tend to cause itching rather than pain. 

Fast facts about insect and spider bites

 Many different insects can bite, and the effects of their bites can range from mild irritation to a deadly infection, such as malaria.

Spiders are not insects, but they can deliver a painful and troublesome bite.

If a person starts to have breathing difficulties and swelling, they need urgent medical attention.

Most bites can be soothed with an over-the-counter treatment.

Use insect repellant and clothes that cover the body to prevent insect bites during outdoor activities.

Which insects bite?

In the northern United States and Canada, biting insects include:

·        bedbugs

·        fleas

·        flies, such as horseflies

·        gnats

·        midges

·        mosquitoes

·        ticks

Spiders are not strictly insects, but they can also bite.

Individuals react in different ways. A bite that causes a small, itchy lump that disappears in a few days in one person can have a more serious effect on another.

If a bite becomes infected, there may be redness, warmth, and hardening of the surrounding skin, with pus draining from the wound.

Scratching the wound can lead to infection, and it can cause the skin to become thick and leathery skin. This is called "lichenification."

People who work outdoors or regularly participate in outdoor activities are more susceptible to insect bites.

In colder climates, the risk of catching diseases from insect bites is small. However, nearer the equator insect bites can lead to malaria, sleeping sickness, dengue fever, or the Zika virus.

Reactions

Insect bites normally cause a small itchy lump to develop on the skin. Sometimes the bite itself may be visible, as a tiny hole. The lump may be filled with fluid. The area around the lump is sometimes inflamed.

Insect bites normally disappear within a few days without medical attention.

Some people may have an allergic reaction to insect bites, but bites rarely cause a severe allergic reaction, unlike insect stings.

The following may indicate a severe allergic reaction:

·        a rash, often blotchy, can spread to other parts of the body

·        breathing difficulties

·        chest pain

·        cramps

·        faintness or dizziness

·        nausea

·        rapid heartbeat

·        severe swelling, which may be far from the bite area, such as the tongue or lips

·        very severe itching

·        wheezing.

These symptoms require immediate medical attention.

Some people may have a stronger reaction the second time they are bitten by a particular type of insect. This is called sensitization. The individual becomes more sensitive to the insect's saliva.

An infected insect bite can lead to:

pus inside or around the bite

swollen glands

fever

a feeling of being unwell

flu-like symptoms.

The bite area may become redder with more pain and swelling.

An itchy papule or wheal may develop and persist for several days. Eventually, most people become immune and insensitive to the saliva, after being bitten a number of times.

Insect bite reactions do not normally last more than a few hours, but sometimes they can linger for months. In this case, the individual should consult a doctor.

Source: Medical News Today