All insects bite - mosquitoes, black flies, house flies, fleas, mites, penetrating fleas, bed bugs, ticks and so on - and in no case is the situation pleasant for the victim. Although the sting or bite itself may not be particularly severe, the swelling and itching generated are often extremely annoying. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take, with or without medical help, to try to relieve the pain and itching caused by the stings and get rid of them completely.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Treating the Bug Bite
Step 1. Clean the affected area
Before you do anything else, you need to thoroughly clean the spot where the bug stung you, using soap and water. If the area appears swollen, you can place a cold pack or ice on it to reduce the edema. The cold also helps relieve pain and itching.
Apply cold therapy for up to 10 minutes, after which time remove the ice for another 10 minutes. Continue like this for up to an hour
Step 2. Do not scratch the sting area
You will most likely feel itchy and want to scratch it, but don't. You absolutely must resist the temptation to rub the skin, otherwise you could make the situation worse and cause an infection.
Step 3. Apply a calming lotion
If the sting continues to leave an itchy sensation, you can use a calamine cream, a topical antihistamine, or a corticosteroid ointment to relieve the discomfort. You can find all these products for free sale in pharmacies. If you're not sure which lotion is right for you, ask your pharmacist.
Step 4. Take oral medications
You can take tachipirin (Paracetamol), ibuprofen (Brufen), or an oral antihistamine (Clarityn) if you need to relieve pain or itching.
If you usually take an allergy medication (such as cetirizine) on a daily basis, you need to be cautious before taking another antihistamine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you can increase the dosage or if it is safe to combine the two drugs
Step 5. Apply a baking soda paste
Applying this remedy on the bite can help expel toxins and relieve itching. It is also believed that it can also speed up the healing process.
Prepare a Dough with Bicarbonate and Salt
Mix 2 parts of baking soda with one part of salt.
Pour in a little water and keep stirring until you get a thick paste.
Use a cotton swab to apply the created paste directly to the insect bite.
Wash the paste off after 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 6. Consider using a powdered enzyme to soften meat, which is often used in cooking
Combine some of this unflavored product with water until it forms a paste and apply it to the itchy area to soothe the discomfort; after 15 to 20 minutes, rinse with water.
Step 7. Try a wet tea bag
Soak a tea bag in water for a short time, then apply it to the sting area to relieve itching. If you are using the same tea bag that you made yourself a cup of tea with before, make sure it has cooled down sufficiently before placing it on your skin. Then leave it in place for 15-20 minutes.
Step 8. Dice some fruit or vegetables
There are several fruits or vegetables that contain enzymes that can reduce swelling and itching. Try one of the following:
- Papaya - hold a slice of this fruit on the sting for an hour;
- Onion: rub a small piece on the affected area;
- Garlic: Crush a clove and apply it to the insect bite.
Step 9. Wet your itchy skin with apple cider vinegar
Immediately after being bitten by the bug, soak the area in this product (if possible) for a few minutes. If the sting is still bothering you, soak a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar and secure it over the sting with a band-aid.
Step 10. Squeeze an aspirin
Take a spoon or mortar and crush an aspirin tablet. Add some water until it becomes a paste and apply it to the sting area. Leave it on your skin (a bit like calamine cream) and wash it off the next time you take a bath or shower.
Step 11. Put a few drops of tea tree oil
Pour a drop on the sting once a day. This remedy does not help relieve itching, but it reduces and eliminates swelling.
Alternatively, you can use 1 or 2 drops of lavender or peppermint oil to block the itchy sensation
Part 2 of 4: Treating a Tick Bite
Step 1. Look for the presence of ticks
These parasites live outdoors and are very small. Unlike other insects, they don't just bite and leave, they penetrate the subcutaneous layer of their host and continue to feed on human blood. They especially prefer small, hairy areas, such as the scalp, behind the ears, in the armpits, the groin area, or between the fingers and toes. When looking for them on the body, start from these areas, but check the entire skin for added safety.
Step 2. Remove them
Ticks must be removed from the human body. If you get bitten, you need to get help from another person, especially if the parasite is in a particularly difficult place to reach; make sure you don't touch it with your bare hands.
How to Remove a Tick
If you are alone, feeling nervous, unsure or do not have the right tools to get rid of the tick, see a doctor to have it removed. Unless you have a severe allergic reaction, you don't need to go to the emergency room.
Grab the mint from the head or mouth using a pair of tweezers. Try to grab it as close to the skin as possible. Do not squeeze it with tweezers.
Pull it out slowly and gently in a straight motion, without twisting it.
If the tick breaks, be sure to remove the remaining part under the skin as well.
Don't throw away the mint, even if it breaks.
Avoid using items such as petroleum jelly, solvents, knives or matches.
Step 3. Store the mint
It is important to keep it for some time; since it can transmit disease, you must keep it in order for it to be examined. If the tests show positive results for any ailment, you will need to seek medical attention.
- Place the tick in a plastic bag or small container (such as the empty medication vial).
- If it is still alive, keep it in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
- If it is dead, leave it in the freezer for up to 10 days.
- If you are unable to show the tick to doctors within 10 days, you can throw it away. Even if frozen or chilled, it cannot be tested beyond this period.
Step 4. Go to the doctor
If the parasite has gotten deep under the skin or if you can only get rid of the outside of its body, you need to see a doctor to get it out completely. You must be examined even if you have any symptoms of Lyme disease.
Lyme Disease Symptoms
Initial symptoms:
bull's-eye rash.
Common symptoms:
feeling tired, fever, chills, headache, spasms, weakness, numbness or tingling, swollen lymph nodes.
More severe symptoms:
impaired cognitive function, nervous system disorders, arthritic symptoms and / or arrhythmia.
Step 5. Wash the bite area
Use soap and water to thoroughly clean the affected area and apply an antiseptic product to disinfect it; you can use denatured alcohol, a hand sanitizer and so on. When you are done with this procedure, be sure to wash your hands.
Step 6. Bring the mint to perform the appropriate exams
Generally, these are done by public health authorities. First, the type of tick must be identified and whether it is a carrier of disease. In this case, tests will have to be performed or the insect sent to specialized laboratories for further investigation. Tick bites are becoming a serious collective health problem, so it is important to proceed with all necessary precautions.
- In Italy there are several analysis centers or even universities where examinations on ticks are performed. You can do an online search to find the laboratory closest to your city.
- You can also send the insect to your region's zooprophylactic center. Most likely, the analysis service will be paid, as the National Health Service does not cover these types of expenses, but it is definitely worth it, when it comes to your health.
- If you are unable to find an analysis center by searching online, contact the relevant health or veterinary district in your area and ask for more information.
Part 3 of 4: Preventing Insect Bites
Step 1. Don't wear scented items
Some insects are attracted to certain types of fragrances or simply the scent of something different than usual. Do not wear perfume or other lotions and creams with particular fragrances when you go outdoors.
Step 2. Apply a repellent product
You can find several in spray or lotion format. Use it before you go out to prevent insects from getting close. The spray allows you to cover the whole body more easily, as it can also be sprayed directly on clothing. However, the lotion can be spread on the skin and you can use it specifically on exposed areas.
- Read the instructions on the product packaging, especially if you plan to apply it on your face; in any case, avoid spreading it near the eyes. # * Repellents that contain DEET are more effective than other products.
- Wait at least half an hour before using the repellent if you've just put on sunscreen.
Step 3. Wear protective clothing
In addition to wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, you also need to take extra precautions and use other specific clothing to keep insects away. Among these accessories, consider a hat with a thin net that goes down to cover the face, neck and shoulders. If you have to go to an area where there are a lot of insects, this solution may be better than repellents.
You can also tuck your pants into your socks to avoid getting stung at the ankles
Step 4. Eliminate standing water
Water that settles in puddles, ditches and does not flow can become an ideal place for mosquitoes to lay their eggs and reproduce. If there are areas with still water on your property, you must clear them to avoid the presence of mosquitoes. If you are outdoors, move away from these areas of standing water.
Step 5. Light some lemongrass candles
Candles made from citronella, linalool and geranium have been found to keep insects, especially mosquitoes, away. In fact, some studies have found that lemongrass reduces the number of female mosquitoes in the area by 35%, linalool reduces them by 65%, while geranium by 82%!
There are also lemongrass scented brooches and bracelets that you can wear or put on top of your clothes
Step 6. Make a repellent essential oil
There are several oils known to repel insects, and when combined with water, they can be applied to the skin to repel these pesky creatures. You can also decide to use essential oil diffusers instead of candles.
- Among the most suitable oils to repel insects are that of eucalyptus, cloves, lemongrass, neem oil or cream, camphor and menthol gel.
- If you choose to apply the product directly to the skin, be careful and use it away from the eyes.
Part 4 of 4: Know what to do
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms of insect bites
While it may seem obvious, it is important to make sure that it is actually an insect bite and not other types of skin reactions, such as that resulting from contact with poison ivy. Additionally, some symptoms may be similar to other medical ailments, especially if you are allergic to the insect that stung you.
Symptoms to watch out for
You may experience one, some, all, or even none of these symptoms, based on your personal reaction to the specific bite and insect.
Symptoms around the sting area:
pain, swelling, redness, itching, warmth, hives and / or leakage of a small amount of blood.
More severe symptoms that could indicate a life-threatening allergy to the insect bite.
cough, tingling in the throat, tightness in the throat or chest, breathing problems, wheezing, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or fainting, sweating, anxiety and / or itching and rashes in other parts of the body, other than that of the sting. 'insect.
Step 2. Know when to call 911 or go to the emergency room
If someone has been stung in the mouth, nose or throat or is experiencing a severe allergic reaction, you should call emergency services or take the victim to the emergency room immediately. In these cases, the victim should be assisted by doctors who can help her breathe and administer medications to reduce symptoms (for example, epinephrine, corticosteroids, and so on).
- If the person who has been stung knows they are allergic to certain insect venom, they should always carry an EpiPen (epinephrine auto-injector) with them. If you do, make sure you follow the directions on the package so you can give her the medicine right away safely and effectively. If you want to know how to use it correctly, you can read this tutorial. If the person has one, follow the instructions to give them the drug immediately.
- The person will still need to see a doctor immediately, even if they have been given a dose of epinephrine.
Step 3. Know when to see a doctor
If the victim does not have a severe allergic reaction (or has not been stung inside the airway), there is no problem for now. However, if you start experiencing any of the following symptoms, you need to take her to a doctor for further treatment.
- Other secondary infections can be caused by itching - breaking the skin creates a crack for bacteria to access. The skin is the first layer of defense against infection.
- Persistent pain or itching, fever, signs of infection in the sting area.
- For example, if the person has an infection, antibiotics will be needed.
