In the summer, many go on a picnic, on a hike, to the beach, to the forest or to the cottage. Often we leave the city not alone, but with family and children. It must be remembered that in addition to all the charms and pleasures, nature is fraught with many dangers. One of the possible threats that await a person in the warm season (especially in the countryside) are insects.
general information
So, we will talk about living beings belonging to the order of arthropods and living on almost all continents. This is the largest group of organisms on Earth. Such creatures are called insects. Of course, each of us at least once in a lifetime suffered from their bite. The reaction to this phenomenon is determined by the variety of the insect and the state of the organism of a particular person. There are times when even a mosquito bite can be fatal. Painful manifestations are caused not so much by damage to the skin, as by the toxins that secrete insects into the human blood. These creatures can bite for various reasons: to drink blood or for self-defense. In any case, no one is safe from accidents, and when setting off for nature, you involuntarily wonder: "If an insect bite, swelling and redness occurred, what should I do in this situation?"
Which arthropods pose a threat to humans?
First of all, you need to figure out what types of these living creatures can harm your health. Which insect bite causes redness and swelling, or any even more serious consequences? In general, such species as a bee, wasp, bumblebee, hornet, and red ants are especially dangerous for humans. Such insects bite only for self-defense purposes, while a toxin enters the skin and blood of a person, which, due to its special composition, causes intense allergic reactions. In most cases, the affected area of the body turns red and swells. Wasps and bees do damage with a sting. In this case, the insect dies, and the sting remains at the site of injury. Red ants grab patches of skin with mandibles, usually repeatedly, while a toxin is released into the human blood. When a person is bitten by an insect (mosquito, flea, tick or bug) and sucks blood, this is accompanied by pain.
Reaction types
Insect bite swelling and redness causes, but not only. The consequences can be much more dangerous. Blood-sucking arthropods often transmit serious diseases (malaria, typhoid infection, encephalitis, tularemia, sleeping sickness, various types of fevers). Bites of spiders (black widow, karakurt, brown hermit) can provoke dangerous disruptions in the body's work, even death.
The most common consequences are allergic reactions. Their manifestations are different in signs and severity.
Four types of such pathologies are distinguished:
- Minor (skin irritation, general weakness, anxiety).
- General (toxins cause disruptions in several body systems, which is manifested by pain in the abdominal cavity, vomiting and dizziness).
- Serious reactions (impaired breathing and movement, difficulty swallowing, confusion, hoarseness).
- Anaphylactic shock (a sharp decrease in pressure, cyanosis of the skin, impaired consciousness and fainting).
Serious poisoning most often develops as a result of multiple bites, and its symptoms appear only after a few hours and require immediate medical attention.
Threatening symptoms
The most dangerous consequence of an insect bite (especially a bee or hornet) is anaphylactic shock. It is characterized by a lightning current, therefore, requires emergency hospitalization. The consequences of this condition are: a fall in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and serious cardiac abnormalities. If medical assistance is not immediately provided to the victim, he may die. When there is an insect bite, swelling and redness, what should I do if dizziness, nausea, palpitations and shortness of breath are observed? Of course, call an ambulance. Usually, in the case of anaphylactic shock, adrenaline is administered to the patient, but sometimes hospitalization, as well as droppers and additional injections are required. If you already had a similar reaction to an insect bite, before you leave the city, take an adrenaline ampoule with you. But one dose is not enough, and if you were bitten by an insect, even after making an injection, you did not completely protect yourself. It’s better to see a doctor.
Bite of a bee, bumblebee, wasp or hornet
These insects sting solely for the purpose of self-defense.
Together with the sting, toxins penetrate the human body. In this case, the bite site becomes painful and red, the skin swells, a burning sensation arises. If the toxin is intolerant, fever, nausea and headache appear, in severe cases - muscle aches, respiratory failure, fainting and anaphylactic shock. If you were bitten by a wasp, bumblebee, hornet or bee, first of all, you need to remove the sting from the wound and try to squeeze out the poison that got into it. Those who have had cases of allergic reactions need to drink a cure for allergies, make a compress of ammonia or ethyl alcohol diluted with water.
Bed rest and warm tea are also helpful. If the bite site is very painful, you can also drink an anti-inflammatory agent. Be sure to monitor the condition of the victim (whether nausea or dizziness appeared, if there is an increased temperature and skin rash, or if the pressure drops).
Mosquito bites
This phenomenon is not only unpleasant, but also potentially dangerous. Mosquitoes of certain species carry serious diseases. Only females of these insects are bloodsucking. Blood contains the elements they need to lay eggs. When a female bites a person, she introduces a substance into his body. It is a toxin that slows down blood coagulation.
It is because of it that the skin at the site of the bite turns red and itches. If you were bitten by a regular (not malarial) mosquito, most likely it is not dangerous if you are not allergic (in this situation, serious health problems and even death may occur).
In any case, if the affected area of the skin causes you inconvenience, you need to treat the place with a solution of baking soda, calendula infusion, boric alcohol, kefir, bird cherry leaf, tomato juice or make a cold compress. From itching, you can use "Fenistil" (ointment from an insect bite, it removes swelling and redness well), Golden Star balm. If there are a lot of bites or a severe allergy occurs, you need to drink an antihistamine.
If bitten by a spider
These insects are very poisonous. In some cases, a spider bite can be fatal, so if this happens, you should immediately call an ambulance. The greatest danger to humans is hermit spiders, tarantulas and karakurt. The tarantula bites very painfully, the bite causes redness, weakness, swelling of the skin. Symptoms may last several days. When a karakurt bites, a slight tingling sensation occurs, then muscle pains, nausea and dizziness appear. The bite of a hermit spider is characterized by the occurrence of a large ulcer. It is also accompanied by fever, general weakness.
If the swelling and redness caused an insect bite, what should we do if we know that it was a spider?
First of all, it is necessary to thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water. Then apply a hard dressing or tourniquet (without squeezing the tissue too much) so that the affected area of the body is immobile. It is also necessary to make a cooling compress, take Aspirin or Paracetamol. It is advisable to drink plenty of fluids to remove poison from the body. If the condition of the victim becomes worse, you need to see a doctor. It is necessary to call an ambulance if the spider has bitten a child.
In a hospital, patients are given an antidote.
What to do if they bite bugs?
These insects live in houses and apartments and make people's lives simply unbearable. They usually live in furniture and inside walls. Bedbugs usually bite at night. Their bites do not cause much pain. But they are not as safe as they seem. After all, bedbugs are carriers of diseases such as plague, anthrax and tuberculosis. You can get rid of these annoying insects only with the help of sanitary and epidemiological workers or by treating the room yourself. For the destruction of bugs, special means are used (they are very toxic, therefore it is important to observe safety measures). After processing, you need to clean the floor, walls and furniture.
Tick bite: danger and precautions
These insects are most often found in forests and meadows. They are dangerous in that they carry encephalitis - a serious disease that leads to disability. If a tick is attached to you, first of all, do not panic. Do not apply ointments or alcohol solutions to the affected area of the skin, because in this case the tick will resist, introducing even more toxins into your body. Tweezers or fingers need to carefully turn the insect out of the wound. It is impossible to pull it out sharply. After you have removed the tick, examine the place of attachment (there may be a proboscis in the wound). Take an allergy remedy and treat the affected area with a solution of alcohol. If you have cases of encephalitis in your area, contact your healthcare provider. If you go to the forest, be careful not to become a victim of a tick. Inspect each other once an hour. Wear high trousers and boots for a walk, it is advisable to tuck your trouser legs into the bootlegs or hook them with an elastic band. Do not wear bright and dark clothes outside the city, because it is easier for ticks to notice you.
Insect bite: swelling and redness on the face
Most people are characterized by a pronounced sensitivity to the attacks of these creatures. Often, swelling and redness occur on the face, more precisely, near the eyes. The skin in these areas is very thin and sensitive, especially in children.
Let's talk about how to deal with the consequences of damage to these tissues. In the article, you can see what an insect bite looks like, a tumor and redness on the face (photos demonstrate this). If you observe such symptoms, first of all, remove the sting from the wound and treat it with alcohol. Then apply ointment to the skin, which will relieve swelling, redness and swelling.
If allergic reactions have been noticed before, drink the medicine or give an injection.
If the leg is swollen after a bite
Compaction of tissues is a normal reaction of the body to a toxin that has entered the bloodstream. Your body's defenses are activated to fight poison, and inflammation occurs.
If an insect bite occurs, swelling and redness on the leg are noticed, this is very unpleasant, since this place itches, it feels burning, it hurts to walk.
To reduce inflammation, it is necessary to remove the sting from the wound, treat it with ammonia, ointment with a cooling effect. You can use a compress with vodka or cologne, apply ice to the bite, anoint with iodine or peroxide. If the swelling does not subside, you must drink an allergy remedy. If this does not help, you should consult a doctor.
What are the remedies for relieving symptoms?
If you have ever seen an insect bite, swelling and redness, a photo of this phenomenon, you, of course, know what an unpleasant picture it is. In addition, pain, burning and other disgusting sensations are added to this.
There are many remedies available to relieve symptoms. These drugs are divided into internal and external. A very unpleasant phenomenon is an insect bite. The tumor and redness (what to do in this case, we discuss in the article) can be removed using various means. First of all, these are medications (Zirtek, Loratadin, Suprastin, Tavegil) aimed at relieving allergy symptoms. How to smear a swelling and redness during an insect bite? To do this, use the balms "Golden Star" and "Vitaon", as well as "Fenistil-gel." You can also make an ice pack to relieve itching and burning.
Folk remedies
Symptoms can also be alleviated with plants. So, if swelling and redness are bothering you after an insect bite, what should I do? Will folk remedies help in this situation? The answer, of course, is yes. Plantain, dandelion, tincture of Veronica officinalis, parsley leaves - lotions from these herbs can significantly reduce painful manifestations. Compresses from a series of frozen milk, peppermint juice, drops of echinacea (also can be taken orally) are no less effective. Activated carbon will help cope with poisoning. In addition, there are complex homeopathic remedies such as Vitaon, Apis and Ledum, which can be bought at the pharmacy.
And, of course, repellents (aerosols and ointments that repel insects) are an effective method for preventing insect bites. But when using them, you must observe safety precautions. Spray is not suitable for children, so they can only use gel or ointment to protect them from insects. You can not repel the inflamed areas of the skin with a repellent, it must be avoided in the eyes, and after a walk it must be washed off. There are also natural remedies. These are, for example, plant extracts (cedar, geranium, verbena, marigold, bergamot, vanilla, cypress, lemon balm, lavender and eucalyptus), the smell of which the insects do not tolerate.