There are many insects in the world that can bite or sting you, and you will likely encounter many in your lifetime. Their bites cause different symptoms; by learning to identify them, you will be able to understand what is the best strategy for treating symptoms and avoiding the most dangerous situations. In this article you will find information on the most common insect bites.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Identifying the Most Common Insect Bites
Step 1. Find out where you got bitten
Insects live in different habitats and in some circumstances they are more likely to be bitten by some particular species.
- If you were outdoors, perhaps in a forest, you have probably been bitten by a mosquito, tick or red ant.
- If you were near food or trash, you probably got hit by a gadfly or bee.
- If you were indoors, sitting somewhere or playing with your dog, maybe it was fleas or bed bugs.
- In rural areas, perhaps near ruined buildings, you may have been stung by a scorpion.
Step 2. Look for a small, red, itchy bump
This is the most common and visible symptom of most insect bites.
- A single entry hole is an indication of a mosquito or gadfly bite. You will see a tiny hole in the center of a mosquito bite.
- Flea bites consist of many small itchy blisters close together. You will usually find them where your clothes are close to the body, for example in the waist area.
- Bed bug bites are itchy red blisters, perhaps with a blister, in rows of two or three.
Step 3. Look for swollen areas
Other types of bites and stings cause swelling in the affected area.
- Red ant bites provoke swelling (up to 1.5 cm wide) and fill with pus. After a few days they can form a blister.
- Scorpion stings can cause swelling, redness, pain, and numbness in the affected area.
Step 4. Check if you have been stung by a bee or a wasp
The bites of these insects immediately cause excruciating pain, burning and swelling. They leave a red pustule (similar to that of a mosquito bite) with a small white spot where the sting has entered the skin. You will also notice some swelling in the affected area. In the case of bees, you should find the stinger in the wound.
If you have been stung by a bee, remove the stinger. Bees die when they sting, because the sting is torn from their body. Do not leave it in the wound and remove it with your fingers or tweezers as soon as possible. Other stinging insects, such as wasps and hornets, leave no body parts in the wound. If you've been stung and don't notice a sting, one of the bugs just mentioned is probably responsible
Step 5. Watch out for ticks
The bites of these insects are bright red in color, but painless, so if you don't check them well, you may not notice them. In most cases you will find the bite with the insect still attached to your body. They are generally harmless, but many ticks carry dangerous diseases, such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Take precautions if you discover a tick bite.
- If the tick is attached to your body, remove it as soon as possible. Use a pair of tweezers to grab the insect's head and pull; do not rotate, as you may detach the animal's body and leave the head attached to the skin. Make sure you remove all the insect. Use tweezers to do this, not petroleum jelly, matches, or acetone.
- If you can't remove the bug's head, it's probably under the skin. In this case, contact a doctor right away, who will be able to help you.
- Keep an eye on the bitten area. Target-shaped irritations (erythema migrans) are symptoms of Lyme disease. See your doctor right away if you notice one.
- You should always check that you have not been bitten by ticks after being outdoors in a forest or after walking in tall grass. These insects prefer dark, warm areas, so search their entire body well. They can be as small as the period at the end of this sentence, so try using a magnifying glass.
Step 6. Check for head lice
You will usually find them on the neck and skin of the head. Their bites resemble a sore and you will probably be able to see them in your hair, complete with eggs. If you have lice, you need to clean your hair with a shampoo that can eliminate them, and wash all clothes and blankets that have been in contact with these insects.
If you are pregnant, do not use shampoo to remove lice. Talk to your doctor to decide what is the best strategy for eliminating them
Step 7. Rule out the most dangerous spider bites
Spider bites are slightly different from insect bites and need to be treated differently. Look for two small fang wounds (the mark of a black widow bite), or a bite that turns blue and purple and turns into a deep open ulcer (the mark of a violin spider bite). If you notice these symptoms, call your doctor. The other less severe bites resemble those of other insects.
Step 8. Look for the insect
Most insect bites are painful and you will notice them right away. If you feel stung, try to find the responsible pet. Take a picture of him, or if he's dead, take his body. This can help you and your doctor understand which bug has bitten you and decide what treatment is best for you.
If the bug is still alive, don't try to catch it - it's the best way to get stung again
Part 2 of 2: Treating Bug Bites
Step 1. Clean the affected area with soap and water
This will help clean the bite and can prevent infections. Better not to use other creams or medications on the wound before cleaning it.
Step 2. Use anti-itch creams
Try over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl or Trimeton. Don't scratch, or you could cause an infection.
Topical creams, gels, and lotions, especially those that contain pramoxine, can help relieve itching
Step 3. Reduce swelling
Prepare a cold compress, a washcloth wet with cold water or filled with ice and hold it on the swollen area. If possible, lift the affected area to reduce blood flow.
Step 4. Treat papular urticaria
Hypersensitivity to an insect bite can result in clusters of swollen, red, itchy blisters. This condition usually arises as a result of flea, bedbug and mosquito bites. Treatments include antihistamines and topical steroids.
Don't scratch yourself, as this could cause infection and scarring
Step 5. Treat the shock
Some insect bites can provoke allergic reactions, which shock the victim. If you notice that you have pale skin, difficulty breathing or swelling in the bite area, these could be symptoms of anaphylactic shock. Shock sufferers need to stay calm and comfortable. If this is happening to you, take deep breaths to stay calm and call an ambulance right away.
If the victim (be it you or another person) owns an EpiPen, use it
Step 6. Seek medical attention
In most cases, symptoms such as itching and swelling go away quickly. If, on the other hand, they persist or worsen, ask a doctor for help to rule out a serious allergic reaction.
If you are certain that you have been bitten by a scorpion or have a strong suspicion, seek medical attention right away
Step 7. Watch for symptoms of other diseases
Insect bites are rarely dangerous, but many of these animals are carriers of diseases. Ticks can infect you with Lyme disease and spotted fever, mosquitoes carry malaria and encephalitis. Symptoms such as fever, body aches, and nausea are often indications of more serious illness.
Advice
- Most insect bites and stings will irritate the skin only temporarily, generally fading over time. Unless you are allergic to some insect venom, only the most poisonous insects and spiders will cause severe reactions.
- An internet search to identify an insect bite may not yield any results regarding spider bites. Spiders are arachnids, not insects. If you suspect that you have been bitten by a spider, usually due to the presence of two small fang marks, do a search for "spider bites".
- Avoid provoking insects - it's the best way to get bitten.
- When outdoors, use insect repellent and protective clothing, such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
- Sweet foods and trash cans can attract bees, flies, and other insects, so avoid getting too close to them.
Warnings
- If you are allergic to certain insect bites or stings, bring a note with your allergies or an EpiPen with you. Make sure friends and family know how to use it if you go into shock.
- If you find that you have been bitten by bed bugs, call an exterminator to get them out.
- Go to the emergency room right away if you have breathing problems, swelling of the throat, or difficulty swallowing. They can be symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction.
