A majority of people you know and maybe you yourself have suffered from an insect bite some time in their life. It is quite common and could happen to pretty much people of all ages and during all the seasons all throughout the year. Insects may bite because they are hungry and you just happen to be around with some fresh blood that is enticing to their needs or the insect may have been provoked. Whatever the reason may be, getting an insect bite is uncomfortable and not pleasant.
An insect bite or sting typically injects venom that contains proteins and other components that may trigger an allergic reaction the person bitten. Depending on the insect, the symptoms may vary. Some symptoms may be minor and some may cause more serious and allergic reactions. Even worse if the person who gets bitten is allergic to the insect’s venom, may be fatal if not treated as soon as possible. Here are a few descriptions of how a few insects may bite:
- Mosquito bites are quite common and typically don’t cause significant illnesses. But some mosquito bites might actually carry serious diseases such as malaria, dengue and the West Nile virus.
- Bees tend to leave their stingers on the person they sting and the bee eventually dies afterwards. Honeybees are a little less aggressive then Africanized honeybees which also carry the name killer bees.
- Fire ants attach themselves to their victim and bite using their tiny but sharp jaws. It tends to pivot its head and stings using its abdomen in a circular motion at multiple sites
- Wasps, which include hornets and yellow jackets, tend to sting over and over again. Yellow jackets cause a greater number of allergic reactions compared to the other wasps
- Certain type of lice can transmit epidemic relapsing fever and may be more serious than other bites
- Ticks can also transmit a fatal illness called Lyme disease
- Spiders which aren’t insects can cause deadly reactions. Spiders that are lethal are typically the black widow or brown recluse
Symptoms that a person may experience are the following:
- Pain or tenderness at the site bitten (may be localized or in multiple areas)
- Warmth at affected area
- Bites from mosquitoes and fire ants may cause a pimple-like sore or wheel
- If skin is broken, infection may occur if not taken care of properly and immediately
- In more serious cases, anaphylactic reactions may occur causing hives, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, throat swelling, unconsciousness and death
Seek medical care if the following are experienced:
- If you know you have or someone you know has a history of allergies towards a specific insect bite. This may cause severe anaphylactic reactions and may eventually become fatal if not treated as soon as possible
- Infected bites should be treated promptly by your healthcare professional to avoid further and worsening infection
- If you don’t know what exactly bit you, seek medical attention immediately
What exams and tests can be done for diagnoses of insect bites?
The diagnosis of insect bites can usually be determined from a person’s history. Your healthcare professional may do a physical examination of your body to look for the affected areas where the insect may have bitten. Besides the skin, the doctor may also take a look at the cardiovascular system, oral cavity and respiratory system.
Natural Remedies for Insect Bites:
- Cold compress. For minor reactions this is a simple remedy. You can apply a cold ack on it to reduce the swelling and pain. Don’t leave it on for more than 15 minutes to avoid a rebound effect on the affected site
- Banana peel heal. All you basically have to do it get a banana peel and place the inside of the peel directly on the bite for about an hour or so. After, wash the area thoroughly with soap and cool water and apply hand sanitizer to ease the itching
- Baking soda. Making a paste using baking soda and water is a great insect bites remedy. A tablespoon of baking soda with enough water creating a paste can be applied to the affected area. You can also try adding baking soda to a warm bath for multiple affected areas. Do not use this treatment if wound is open!
- Tea tree and lavender oil. Using these natural oils for insect bites is an effective treatment. Use a cotton swab to apply to bite area to reduce swelling. Great for minor spider bites, bee stings and flea bites/li>
- Toothpaste fix. To decrease the pain and tenderness on the affected area, try applying a little toothpaste. The fluoride acts as an anti-histamine and could be a quick cure for pain immediately
- Mouthwash. A great natural cure for mosquito bites. Get yourself a cotton ball and mouthwash and apply it to insect bite for a couple seconds. Make sure you use a mouthwash that is an anti-septic
- Aspirin cure. Get an aspirin from your medication stash and crush it. Mix it in with a drop or two of water. Apply the paste to the insect bite to help reduce swelling and stinging sensation. You can try to do this at night and apply a band aid on it for maximum results
- Mud. Get mud from a clean source and if it’s dry mix it in with a little water. Make a paste with it and put it on the string and allow it to dry. Rinse the affected area thoroughly with soap and water
- Aloe vera. It is not only good for treating sunburn but amazing for mosquito bites too. Apply aloe vera in fresh gel form can help ease itching and swelling. It is also a good dandruff
- Onion. A fresh slice of onion is a safe and helpful natural remedy for insect bites. All you have to do is place a fresh slice of onion on the insect bit area for at least 5 minutes or until the itching subsides. Wash the area thoroughly afterwards
Insect bites gives off uncomfortable and unpleasant symptoms. But don’t be too worried especially if the insect bite is a common and minor one because natural remedies are available to save you from the discomforts it may bring! Click on the image below to learn more about the best treatment for insect bites you could ever use.