Insect Bites

Insect Bites

There may be puncture wounds on the skin inflicted by blood-sucking insects.

Examples of insects:

1. Mosquitos.
2. Lice.
3. Sand flies.
4. Bedbugs.
5. Fleas.
6. Horse flies.
7. Midges.
8. Gnats.
9. Ticks.
10. Mites.
11. Bees.
12. Hornet.
13. Wasps.

Various types of Insects

Clinical presentations (Signs and symptoms):

1. Mostly insects after bites cause mild, temporary pain.
2. There may be itching for a day or two.
3. Some people may have severe skin reactions.
4. Some of these insects may transmit diseases.
5. The person after the insect bites, due to saliva or feces, the allergic response starts from red pimples to painful swelling.
6. There may be itching rashes.
7. The severity of the insect bite reaction varies from mild to severe.
8. Some people may go into shock.

Pathogenesis of insect bites:

1. Most of these insects suck blood.
2. The mouth parts of these insects are specially adapted to pierce the skin and suck blood.

Insect biting

1. Insect bites are most common on the exposed skin of hands, arms, heads, and legs.
2. Mostly mosquitos bite at night when there is darkness.
   1. Interestingly, only the female mosquito bites because she needs more protein to produce the ova. While male mosquitos are vegeterian and live on flower nectar and plant sap.
3. Other insects causing bites in the dark are cat or dog fleas.
4. These fleas may be hiding in carpets, sleeping baskets, or sofas.
5. Horse flies are easily seen and produce painful bites.
6. All these insects provoke a reaction on the skin that is an allergic response of the host to the saliva or the feces of these insects.

Prevention of insect bites:

1. It is important for hikers and campers to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
2. You can protect in outdoors by wearing gloves, trousers, socks, and full sleeve shirts.
3. Can use insect repellents.
4. Before going to the bedroom, you can spray the insecticide-containing pyrethroid.
5. can use mosquito nets.
6. Can burn the mosquito coils containing pyrethroid.
7. It is difficult to eliminate mosquito populations in areas endemic to Malaria and Dengue. And therefore use of treated mosquito nets and insect repellents on exposed parts of the body and wick repellents for outdoor activities and evening parties can be worthwhile.

Treatment of insect bites:

1. Some people suggest the application of vinegar immediately. This is effective against the hornets and wasps.
2. Wash thoroughly the bite area with soap and water.
3. Apply soothing ointment like calamine lotion.
4. Avoid scratching the bite area.
5. In case of a severe reaction, immediate medical consultation should be done.
6. Can apply antihistamine containing local cream.
7. In the case of lice, apply insecticide lotion.
8. In the case of fleas, the whole family needs insecticide treatment to kill the flea population.