Our crawling, flying, buzzing, hymenopteran neighbors on the planet, insects, have lived side by side with us for thousands of years, but still cause overwhelming, even panicky, fear in some people. Maybe someone is afraid of their appearance, paws, wings, antennae, proboscis, and someone is constantly waiting for a dirty trick from this brethren in the form of a painful bite. Unfortunately, such fears are not unfounded, because every person in his life has been attacked more than once by a “gnus”, and some were even more unlucky when meeting with angry bees or wasps. How to treat insect bites in children and adults? We'll figure out.

General rules

treat the bite site with an antiseptic;
inspect the wound for a sting left and, if you find it, immediately remove it with tweezers, disinfect the skin again;
to remove itching and swelling, apply a cold compress or a piece of ice wrapped in gauze to the affected area.

Then proceed according to the situation. If after the bites the tumor quickly subsides, the itching sensations subside, and the state of health does not worsen, then everything worked out. Try not to eat spicy foods and foods that can cause you allergies on this day, drink more pure non-carbonated water.

If you feel a clear malaise, the edema increases, tachycardia torments, appear at the site of the bite dark spots- immediately call an ambulance medical care, or quickly get to the hospital by taxi.

Attention: a child who has undergone a mass attack by small blood-sucking or a bee, wasp, hornet sting in the face should be immediately taken to the doctor. Most likely it will be required drug treatment to be assigned by a specialist. Otherwise, an acute allergic reaction may develop, up to anaphylactic shock or Quincke's edema.

How do different insects bite and how to provide first aid?

Some insect bites are relatively harmless and are easily tolerated by most people. But there are instances that, with their toxic substances, can cause a painful shock in a person or even lead to death.

bees

These beneficial insects make our life sweeter by producing a wonderful product - honey. But their bites are very painful. Usually, bees are peaceful and do not tend to attack first, therefore, in the presence of these insects, you need to remain calm and not make sudden sweeping movements. It is especially important not to panic if the bee attacks.

In this case, you should immediately retire to a safe place, without making noise and without trying to destroy the insect. Otherwise, there is a risk of being attacked by a whole swarm. You can recognize a bee sting by the following signs:

the pain from the bite is very sharp;
the injured part of the body quickly swells and turns red, filled with heat;
there is a poisonous sting in the wound, removing which, you can relieve the pain a little, but you will not be able to quickly get rid of other symptoms;
if a bitten person suffers from allergies, he may feel difficulty breathing, observe increased swelling; in this case, you need to urgently call an ambulance team.

Caution: with multiple attacks of bees, as well as after bites in the tongue, eyelids or eyes, a person needs to be urgently hospitalized.

wasps

You won’t get honey from these insects, but they sting much more painfully than bees. No wonder there is an expression "sting like a wasp." Each individual can attack and injure several times in a row. Therefore, having found a hornet's nest near your home, it is better to get rid of dangerous neighbors. When they attack, immediately retreat and hide. Symptoms:

very sharp throbbing pain;
the skin at the site of the bite turns bright red, swelling appears;
there is no sting in the wound;
if the wasp has bitten in the face area, there is severe swelling, it becomes difficult to breathe;
with increased sensitivity, a person turns pale;
nausea occurs;
arise pain in the chest and abdomen.

Having taken refuge in a safe place, you need to arrange the victim in the “reclining” position, free him from a tight belt or tie, give him water to drink. The wound must be disinfected, for example, with hydrogen peroxide. The best option how to remove swelling from an insect bite - apply cold. A rubber heating pad with ice or, for example, a bag of kefir from the refrigerator will do. So we get rid of edema.

horseflies

The bites of these nasty and large fly-like insects are not as painful, but still very noticeable. In addition, they are characterized by a long and severe itching, forcing those bitten by horseflies to comb the skin, risking introducing a secondary infection into the wound. A reddish spot and a slight swelling appear at the site of the bite. Most often, people resting near the water are attacked by horseflies.

The bites of these insects do not pose a pathological danger to an adult healthy person, and their consequences can be eliminated in the usual ways. Removes swelling all the same application of cold to the problem area.

How many of us have never been annoyed by these "night singers"? Unfortunately, they do not perform serenades, but they exhaust the nerves with their tedious continuous ringing. Only female mosquitoes bite, and sometimes they manage to stick to human skin almost imperceptibly. The victim discovers bite marks by scratching restlessly.

Midges

Home remedies for itching

After you treat all the wounds with an antiseptic, prepare any of the following remedies that relieve itching from the bites of blood-sucking insects.

Take a glass of cool boiled water, pour a teaspoon of soda into it and stir. Soak a cotton ball in the solution and apply to the wound, wipe the swollen area.
Punch a bunch of parsley with a blender. Apply the resulting green slurry to the affected areas, leave for 10-15 minutes.
Cut the onion and rub the juice on itchy skin, thus removing discomfort.
Rub a few mint leaves, apply a cooling mass to the swelling.
If there is tea tree oil in the home medicine cabinet, then a drop of this remedy will remove discomfort.

When the itching and burning sensation from insect bites subside, the spots will gradually turn pale, and the swelling will subside. This suggests that an acute allergic reaction has not occurred, and a trip to the doctor is not required. What a score! Just do not forget to disinfect the wounds until they are completely healed.

An insect bite is an unpleasant, but completely correctable situation. In this article we will consider methods of treatment and prevention.

After an insect bite, the leg is swollen - what to do? General Tips

Allergy sufferers suffer the most from bites, as they have an allergic reaction, and the itching does not subside for weeks. However, any category of citizens can suffer from an insect.

To make this process easier, you can use the following tips:

wipe the bite ammonia;
you can wipe the bitten place with vinegar diluted with soda, vodka and lemon juice;
take allergy medicine;
with this problem, an ointment with a cooling effect will help;
if the swelling does not go away for a long time, consult a doctor.

What to do if the leg is swollen from a midge bite

As soon as you feel that a midge has overtaken you, immediately wipe the wounded area with ammonia. If itching appears, it will help ethnoscience. For example, apply a cotton swab dipped in vodka or cologne to the affected area. Sometimes bird cherry leaves help, which you just need to attach to the bitten place for 15 minutes. Always carry creams and lotions with you to protect your skin from unpleasant contact.

Did edema appear after a midge bite?

A tumor is a natural reaction of the body, since during a bite, foreign bodies containing substances enter the body, which in turn destroy cells. The body of a person who has taken these toxins begins to attack them. In places of damage, blood accumulates and the volume of intercellular fluid increases. Against the background of the inflammatory process in soft tissues lymph accumulates, which increases their volume.

Signs of insect damage, for example, human legs:

redness;
seal;
itching and pain;
swelling.

What to do?

Treatment is accompanied by a certain algorithm of actions:

if the sting remains in the skin, it must be pulled out;
treat the wound with iodine or hydrogen peroxide;
apply ice to relieve swelling;
drink anti-allergic drugs;
apply a special ointment to the wound to relieve itching.

Usually these steps are sufficient. However, sometimes there is an individual intolerance to the poison.

In this case, you need to contact the doctor, and before his arrival, use an anaphylactic package that contains:

antihistamine elements;
adrenaline injections;
tourniquet

Folk remedies

If the leg is swollen due to a skin puncture by an insect, use folk methods:

if the leg is swollen from the midge, wipe it with iodine or alcohol;
in case of damage by a gadfly or horsefly, treat the sore spot with ammonia and soap in a ratio of 3: 1;
reduce leg swelling with aloe leaf or psyllium.

What to do if the leg is swollen from a horsefly bite?

Horsefly is a large fly armed with a set of sharp and hard cutting stilettos enclosed inside the proboscis.

As soon as you find a skin lesion from this insect, wash the area warm water with soap, then dry the skin with a towel, but do not rub. Treat the wound with hydrogen peroxide, then smear the skin with brilliant green.

If a gadfly strikes a child, the baby will experience severe pain for at least 30 minutes.

Therefore, it is better to give him painkillers and ask him not to scratch the bite site. Apply a plantain leaf to the affected area.

Natural remedies help best with this problem, so if you are in nature and there are no pharmaceutical drugs nearby, you can use healing herbs and flowers that grow literally at every step. In addition to plantain, dandelion can help. It relieves pain and itching. Just lubricate the wound with its juice.

If you are going to barbecue, you will surely have a piece onion, which can also be used for bites. If the pain and itching persists, take an antihistamine. And in case of fever, nausea and vomiting, immediately consult a doctor and call ambulance.

Swelling in the leg after a mosquito bite

It's no secret that only female mosquitoes bite humans. They do this in order to obtain protein from the blood and lay their eggs. During a puncture of the skin with a proboscis, the female releases saliva, which contains substances that prevent blood clotting. In many people, they cause a reaction that manifests itself in the form of itching or redness. As a result, there is a slight swelling on the leg.

How to remove swelling after a mosquito

Once you've been stung by a mosquito, don't scratch the area to avoid infection. Wash reddened skin with soap and water to remove germs and impurities. If a mosquito has bitten near the eye, make a lotion with a soda solution.

To prepare it you need:

mix 2 teaspoons of soda with a spoon of water;
apply to a sore spot;
keep until completely dry.

Also, with swelling of the eye, the juice of plantain, dandelion, cabbage leaf helps.

No less effective are essential oils, for example, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint. If the swelling is severe, take medication to reduce the swelling - "Diphenhydramine", "Hydroxyzine".

What to do if the leg is swollen when bitten by a gadfly?

The tactics of these insects is peculiar: some individuals distract the victim, while others imperceptibly creep up to it, bite and lay out the larvae. It is difficult to notice an insect at the time of contact. You will just feel a sharp pain and severe itching. Then edema appears. Often there are skin rashes, especially in people prone to allergies. If this happens, be sure to use all first aid options.

The algorithm of actions is located below:

press down on the bite with a hard object to reduce the rate of spread
allergic components of insect saliva;
cool the affected area, then wash with cool water and soap;
treat the skin with an antiseptic, brilliant green, alcohol, iodine, chlorhexidine or "Fukortsin".

In places where troubles most often occur, it is not always possible to apply the listed methods.

And here nature comes to the rescue again. Plantain or dandelion juice should be rubbed on the affected area to reduce swelling. If you have salt on hand, you can apply a compress. Treatment of a gadfly bite includes therapy with ointments and medicinal lotions.

Each person has repeatedly encountered insect bites and the consequences of this event. Not always after bites there are negative consequences, but sometimes they cause serious complications or even death.

Every home first aid kit should have products to combat itching, swelling and redness resulting from contact with a harmful insect.

Many people do not attach importance to contact with various insects, believing that they do not cause any harm. In fact, there are certain species that can cause serious consequences.

A number of dangerous insects include:

malarial mosquitoes - carriers of malaria;
mosquitoes - peddlers of leishmaniasis;
mosquitoes - carry various diseases and yellow fever, in particular;
lice - the causes of typhus, rickettsiosis;
rat fleas are carriers of the plague bacillus, bubonic plague is carried by ordinary fleas;
bed bugs - the development of viral hepatitis B, plague, tularemia and fever;
cockroaches - often cause worms, tuberculosis and dysentery;
the tsetse fly, which can transmit sleeping sickness;
ordinary flies spread typhus and dysentery;
ticks - because of his bite, an incurable Lyme disease may appear;
the Black Widow spider is a spider that can provoke the death of a person;
spider "Brown hermit" - its harm lies in the destruction of tissues.

They may take several months to heal. Children or the elderly can die after such a bite.

Depending on the bites of different insects, the consequences can vary significantly and have different degrees of severity.

The most unpleasant symptoms of such bites are:

intolerable itching;
extensive irritation;
redness and compaction of individual areas;
pain sensations;
temperature increase;
the appearance of puffiness;
swelling of the site of injury.

Areas of bites should not be scratched heavily, as there is a risk of infection. To the most dangerous consequences referred to as an allergic reaction. If you do not provide proper medical care, the patient may die 15-30 minutes after the bite. The cause of this phenomenon will be anaphylactic shock.

Not only external manifestations can disturb, but also such reactions of the body:

loss of consciousness;
respiratory distress or stoppage;
increased heart rate;
a sharp decrease in blood pressure;
dizziness.

If allergic reactions are moderate and manifest as swelling, itching and redness, then no need to take special measures. It is enough to detect the bite in time and treat the wound.

Why does the bite site swell and itch?

When piercing the skin, many insects release histamine into the human blood, which is an allergic substance.

If the mosquito was found and killed at the moment of piercing the skin, but before saturation, then the itching will be much less. This is due to swallowing toxic substances along with saliva.

Someone does not have a strong reaction and sensitivity to itching, and someone suffers from such discomfort, combing the bitten places to irritation and redness.

Many types of blood-sucking insects do not cause serious negative consequences, since they do not have a poisonous gland.

How to relieve the symptoms of a bite?

If a slight swelling and slight redness are noticeable, then you can get by with applying a piece of ice. In other situations, it is unlikely to avoid the use of special ointments and creams.

Before you choose a particular medicine, you need to figure out what differences exist and which form is preferable in a particular case.

Almost all antihistamine or anti-inflammatory ointments are made on the basis of the same active ingredient. Distinctive feature may lie in the rate of absorption of the drug into the skin. If you choose between ointment, cream and gel, then it is recommended to give preference to the third option, it is absorbed in just a couple of minutes.

If there is an average degree of skin damage, swelling and severe itching, then it is worth using antihistamines sold in pharmacies. This ointment is applied directly to the wound. Preparations that include menthol should be smeared on the area around it. Such remedies are not medicinal, they only relieve disturbing symptoms.

Do alcohol solutions help?

You can relieve itching after an insect bite with an alcohol solution, which is also a good antiseptic. The tool is effective if used immediately.

It is not the wound itself that needs to be treated, but the skin around it. So you can neutralize the poison and remove the sensation of itching.

You can use ordinary pharmacy alcohol or strong alcohol. It is desirable that such solutions are applied in a cold state.

Products containing zinc

Very often, small children suffer from insect bites, and the reactions can be more serious than in an adult. In such situations, the choice medicines may be difficult.

If the symptoms are pronounced, then zinc-based ointment can be used. It can be applied to the bite several times a day. It is necessary to ensure that the ointment does not get into the child's eyes or mouth.

When are antihistamines indicated?

Insect bites are especially dangerous for people who are at high risk of developing allergic reactions. For them, a mosquito bite can be a serious problem. If such a picture is observed, then it is better to immediately use antihistamines, which act very quickly.

These drugs are sold in various dosage forms, it can be creams, drops, tablets, injections or droppers. The choice of a particular remedy will depend solely on the situation and age of the person:

Children are recommended to give drops that are highly effective, for example, Fenistil or Zyrtec. After taking this drug, itching, swelling and redness quickly disappear. Compared to other drugs, they do not cause drowsiness.
For adolescents and adults, it is better to use tablets or ointments. Suprastin and Tavegil have good efficiency, but after taking it, drowsiness or weakness is possible. As similar drugs, you can choose Claritin or Loratadin.
People at high risk of anaphylactic shock are recommended intravenous administration antihistamines. Under this condition, the drug quickly penetrates into the blood.

How to eliminate swelling, itching and redness using traditional medicine?

In the field of alternative medicine, there are many ways to treat the effects of an insect bite. You can relieve unpleasant and painful symptoms with the help of cold and hot water.

Taking a hot bath will help relax your body. To eliminate itching, you need to add strong tea leaves, Apple vinegar and a couple cups of oatmeal.
Sea water has medicinal properties. At home, you can add sea salt to the bath.
Itching will go away if moistened hot water towel. This procedure is repeated until the condition is relieved.
A heated metal spoon will help relieve itching in a few minutes. It is applied and pressed to the affected area for about 5 minutes.
If you apply ice to the bite, you can prevent the spread of insect venom. This fact is explained by vasoconstriction.
An effective method is to apply a gauze lotion with soda. This is an excellent antiseptic that not only relieves swelling of the skin, but also soothes it.
With the help of aloe juice, you can eliminate the burning sensation when bitten by bedbugs and other insects. The juice of the plant should be used immediately.
Tea tree oil has similar properties. It is used directly to lubricate the wound. If it is not possible to use oil, then tea bags moistened with water can be applied.
The effects of an insect bite are quickly eliminated after applying a compress with a weak solution of vinegar. This bandage should be worn for a couple of hours.

These are the easiest ways to eliminate itching, swelling and redness after bites. Everyone can use them, since there is no need to use complex drugs. Despite the prevalence and simplicity of such methods, they should not be tested if a person has weak immunity and there is a predisposition to allergic reactions. Under such conditions, it is better to seek professional medical help.

Even the most harmless bite can cause anaphylactic shock. To eliminate such a risk, you need to know how to provide first aid to yourself and another victim.

What to do if bitten by a poisonous insect?

Regardless of the type of insect that bit, first aid will be standard. The sooner it is provided, the less the risk of negative consequences.

Prohibited actions after a bite:

you can not drink alcohol;
no smoking;
active movements are also not recommended;
Do not immediately apply heat to the wound.

These actions contribute to increased blood flow in the affected area, due to which toxic substances are quickly absorbed into the blood. In the worst case, you will have to face pronounced symptoms and allergic manifestations.

First aid actions should be carried out in this order:

The bite site must be washed cold water with the addition of laundry soap.
The affected area is treated with antiseptics. It can be menovazin, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol or furatsilin.
The bite site should be pressed down or put on a tight bandage. For such purposes, you can use an elastic bandage.
An antihistamine should be taken, such as Diazolin, Suprastin, Edem, Erius, Loratadine, or Claritin.

Following such simple rules, the risk of the spread of toxic substances can be eliminated. Other treatments are used only after evaluation of existing complications or consequences.

All first aid procedures must be carried out immediately. In another case, only topical medications will help relieve unpleasant symptoms.

If the victim, even after first aid, feels worse, then you should immediately consult a doctor. Perhaps there was a bite of a poisonous insect or a serious allergic reaction is developing.

What kind of help after a bite is provided in the hospital?

Complications can manifest as redness and swelling skin. In frequent cases, a person experiences a burning sensation and itching.

The most serious complications include the following phenomena:

itching and redness of the skin area distant from the lesion;
hives and other skin rashes;
dizziness;
labored breathing;
confused mind;
swelling of the nasopharynx and mouth;
feverish state;
loss of consciousness;
slight increase in body temperature;
feeling of pain and tightness in the chest.

If you have one of these symptoms, then you should immediately seek medical help. If precious time is lost, allergic reactions can worsen, resulting in anaphylactic shock.

Even a harmless insect bite can develop from a tumor into a purulent formation, in which the subcutaneous fatty tissue becomes inflamed. To prevent this condition, you need to treat the wound with a disinfectant solution.

How to protect yourself from insect bites?

Unfortunately, no one is immune from the bites of mosquitoes, flies or midges. This especially happens in the summer.

There are some steps you can take to reduce this risk:

When walking with a small child, the stroller should be covered with a special mosquito net or fabric that allows air to pass through but does not let insects through.
While in nature, it is recommended to apply creams or sprays to the body to repel crawling or flying insects.
It is recommended to put on the windows in the apartment Mosquito nets.
If insects have flown into the room, they can be eliminated with a vacuum cleaner or using special insecticidal agents.

These safety measures are shown to everyone, including children. If, nevertheless, a bite occurs, then you need to immediately provide first aid to the victim. In the case of a predisposition to allergic reactions, you should immediately seek medical help.

Summer holidays at home, in the country or in nature can be overshadowed by the buzzing of mosquitoes and their bites, after which discomfort often occurs. This is especially true for children, whose skin is more sensitive to various damage than in adults. Today we will tell you what causes swelling after an insect bite in children, and what to do immediately if the child has swelling and redness, what folk and medical methods will help to cope with the problem.

Mosquitoes are dangerous because they are carriers of diseases such as malaria or swamp fever, dirofilariasis, tularemia (certain types of insects), viral fevers (certain types), lymphatic filariasis (not all varieties). Adults prone to allergic reactions to mosquito bites may experience headache, fever, nausea and swelling at the bite site.

If a child is bitten by a bloodsucker, quite often you can see that his leg or arm is very swollen. Most often, those who have a fast metabolism and thin skin, high sweating, live in a village or in a village near marshes are at risk of being bitten.

Children are more sensitive to mosquito bite, because they have a weak protective reaction of the body, thin skin, and many babies are prone to various types of allergic reactions. The consequences of insect damage to the skin in babies are blisters, hemorrhages at the site of the wound, swelling of the limb or face (eyelid), allergic rash, loss of appetite, fever, sleep disturbance, anxiety, complication in the form of infection.

Video "Why does the bite itch"

From the video you will find out why the bite of this insect itches.

First aid

If a child has swollen mosquito bites, you need to provide him with competent first aid. Since there is a risk of infection due to still weak immunity child's body. An adult does not need to touch the bite site, do not comb it and do not let the baby do it. To remove bacteria, the skin should be treated with a soap solution.
While the place of damage has not yet had time to swell too much, something cold is applied to it. When the bite becomes red and inflamed, an allergic reaction is taking place. Give your child an antihistamine. When the damaged area of \u200b\u200bthe skin itches unbearably, you can purchase a spray or ointment at the pharmacy that will save the baby from discomfort.

Treatment with folk remedies

In the case when a mosquito decided to bite your child and there was a swelling of a separate part of the body, proven over the years and experience can help folk recipes. But if for adults they use crushed salt, garlic, diluted ammonia, baking soda with water, laundry soap, cologne, brilliant green, fish oil, then such products will not work for kids. Since their skin is very delicate and needs more gentle methods.

Before using an antihistamine or anti-inflammatory drug, try to alleviate the child's condition by lubricating where it is swollen with sour cream, tooth powder or paste, lotions from plantain, crushed dandelions, basil.

Some parents use baking soda or ammonia.

But you have to be very careful while processing. It is still better to use more gentle means. If after first aid and trying to reduce swelling on your own folk remedies it continues to grow, you need to take the child to the hospital and see a specialist.

Medical treatment

When you observe in your child an excessive reaction to skin damage by an insect bite, and besides, any of their areas have swelled well, it is recommended to use pharmaceutical preparations. Antihistamines help reduce inflammation and relieve itching. Gels and ointments are easy to use, perfectly penetrate into the pores of the skin, make it possible to reduce swelling and alleviate the condition of the baby. Ibuprofen and Naproxen have proven themselves well. They work great to eliminate inflammation and reduce swelling. Without a doctor's prescription, you can buy drugs such as Hydroxyzine, Diphenhydramine, Chlorpheniramine.

Among the funds with good antihistamine qualities, one can name "Tavegil", "Fenistil" in drops, "Suprastin". They are indicated and often prescribed by a doctor when an increase in the bite occurs, there is a local reaction to damage to the skin. Children's ointment "Bepanten plus", gel "Fenistil", suspension "Tsindol" also work effectively. You can lubricate the damaged area with Calamine Lotion and Rescuer. Manufacturers made sure that such products were harmless to babies and at the same time effective. For local processing, it is permissible to use even Valocordin or Corvalol.

Today, there is no shortage of special children's preparations in pharmacies, in a convenient form of sprays, pencils, balms, which will become faithful assistants for adults in relieving their children of the discomfort caused by annoying insects. Most drugs are designed so that you can take them with you when you go on the road or for a walk.

Video "The best products for children"

From the video you will learn what is best to use if the child is bitten by a mosquito.

Insect bites. What to do after a bite?

Thank you

General information

Insects are called living organisms from the order of arthropods, they inhabit almost all continents. Of all the living creatures on our planet, insects are the most numerous.

There is no person who has never experienced a bite of an insect. Consequences bite depend primarily on the type of insect and secondarily on individual features organism. For some people, the bite of the most common mosquito can be deadly.

The reaction of the human body is caused not by the very fact of skin puncture, but by the substances that insects inject during a bite. The purpose of bites can be both defensive and food ( blood-sucking).

What insects can be dangerous?

The main danger for the inhabitant of middle latitudes is the bites of hymenoptera insects: bees, wasps, bumblebees, hornets, red ants. These insects sting exclusively in self-defense. During a sting or bite, poison enters the human body, consisting of active proteins and other components, which are often strong allergens. The body responds to the introduction of these substances with redness, pain and swelling of the tissues. According to statistics, bee and wasp stings kill four times more people than snake bites. Various insects strike different methods. So, wasps and bees sting with a sting, while the latter die, since the sting, along with the stinging apparatus, remains in the wound. Ants inject poison by biting with their jaws, and they can bite as many times as they like.

When bitten by bloodsucking mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, bedbugs) the person experiences discomfort. But at the same time, some of them are also carriers of dangerous infections.

Malarial mosquitoes carry malaria,
African mosquitoes carry West Nile encephalitis,
Lice carry relapsing fever,
Mosquitoes carry leishmaniasis,
Tsetse flies carry sleeping sickness,
Ordinary flies can be carriers of typhus, dysentery,
Deer flies carry tularemia,
Fleas carry bubonic plague,
Lice carry rickettsiosis,
Mosquitoes can carry viral diseases: yellow fever, dengue fever, equine encephalitis,
Ticks carry Lyme disease,
spider bite ( especially Black Widow and Brown Hermit) can cause serious complications and even death.

Swelling, pain, and other signs of a bite

Most often, with an insect bite, there is itching, pain, swelling and redness at the site of the bite. If you try to scratch the affected area, you can introduce an infection. But if the victim is allergic to insect bites, the poison can provoke not only a local, but also a general reaction of the body: rashes all over the body, worsening of breathing, impaired consciousness. In especially severe cases, death occurs within half an hour after the bite.
A wasp or bee sting on the tongue can cause swelling of the tongue and pharynx and further suffocation.
Stings from multiple bees or hornets cause kidney failure and paralysis.
The bites of red ants cause a lot of trouble to the victim, as they itch very much and also hurt.

Allergy to bites

Allergic reactions to insect stings can be moderate to severe. With a mild allergic reaction, the following signs or one of them are observed:

swelling,
pain,
mild swelling,
an increase in body temperature at the site of the sting.

If there was an allergy to an insect bite once, the possibility of its reappearance is 60%. A moderate allergic reaction is observed in many victims and does not require special measures. The standard help described below is sufficient.

Signs of an acute allergic reaction:

puffiness of the face,
breathing disorder,
anxiety, nervousness,
acceleration of the heartbeat,
the rash appears all over the body, it itches and is very bright,
dizzy,
blood pressure drops sharply.

Severe reactions to insect bites are not very common. However, within ten minutes, the patient may develop anaphylactic shock, impaired consciousness, and death. Therefore, such a victim requires immediate medical attention.

The first drug used in anaphylactic shock is adrenaline ( epinephrine). Timely administered drug stops allergic manifestations. Sometimes oxygen masks, droppers and other more serious procedures are used. The patient can be left in the hospital for another day to fully stabilize the condition. Persons who have already experienced such conditions once, it is advisable to always have an ampoule of epinephrine with them when hiking in the forest and walking in nature. But sometimes only one dose of this drug is not enough, so in any case, you need to call an ambulance.

Stings of wasps, bees, bumblebees and hornets

If in middle lane more often you can meet bees and wasps, then in the south hornets are added to them - huge wasps. As already mentioned, stinging insects bite in self-defense. At the same time, wasps and hornets can sting many times. In bees and bumblebees, the sting is covered with notches that slow it down in the body. Together with the sting, the stinging apparatus also escapes from the body of the insect. Poison is sprayed out of it for another 3-5 minutes, so the sting should be immediately removed from the wound.

At the site of the bite, the body turns red, swells, hurts and becomes hot. With individual sensitivity to bee venom, body temperature may rise, nausea, headache, coordination may be disturbed, and lethargy and fever may appear. The same reaction happens if a person is stung by several insects at once.
In especially severe cases, even one bite is enough to disturb the heart rhythm, convulsions appear, joints and back begin to hurt, and consciousness is disturbed. Some people may experience an asthma attack and even anaphylactic shock.

What to do after a bite?
If the bite is in the hand, you must immediately remove all the rings and then immediately pull out the sting and try to gently squeeze the liquid out of the wound. In order to carefully remove the poison sac, you need to "scrape" it with any hard object.

No need to try to pull on it, as the poison will be injected even faster. Persons who are not allergic to bee and wasp stings need only take an antihistamine tablet, apply a cold lotion with ammonia ( dilute in a ratio of 1:5) or with ethyl alcohol diluted three times with water.

It also does not hurt to drink some warm tea and lie down. Just in case, an antihistamine can be drunk for a couple of days in a row until the swelling goes away. Some doctors recommend taking 25 grams of vodka orally ( adult only!). At acute pain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, will help.

In some individuals, individual intolerance to the poison manifests itself after a while. Therefore, those who are not confident in their body should carefully monitor signs such as nausea, changes in blood pressure, an increase in body temperature, rashes in other places, as well as breathing complications.

Folk methods for the treatment of stings of bees, wasps, bumblebees or hornets
1. Chew and stick a plantain leaf on the affected area.
2. Wash the bite site with urine.
3. Tie a dandelion leaf, pre-crumpled, to the bite site.
4. Make a strong infusion of the herb Veronica officinalis and make lotions with it.
5. Attach parsley leaves to the affected area. This will eliminate pain and swelling. Inside, take a decoction of the roots of this plant: for two tablespoons of raw materials, half a liter of boiling water. Pour in a thermos overnight. Drink a third of a glass three times a day 30 minutes before a meal. This remedy eliminates the sensitization of the body.
6. Brew three tablespoons of the string in a thermos with 500 ml of boiling water overnight. Take 100 ml orally three times a day for half an hour before meals. Make lotions with the leaves of the series.
7. Squeeze the juice from the mint leaves, treat the sting site. It will relieve pain, inflammation, relax.
8. Cut a raw onion and attach a cut to the bite. Leave overnight. You can treat the sore spot with onion juice.

Multiple stings of wasps or bees can be very dangerous. If in the forest you accidentally stumbled upon a hornet's nest, in no case should you brush aside insects, try to crush them. We need to get away from this place as soon as possible. If only one insect emits poison, others smell it and also rush to attack. With multiple bites, it is imperative and urgent to go to the hospital.

mosquito bites

Mosquito bites not only leave behind a painful itch. These insects can be truly dangerous if they carry the causative agent of malaria.
According to an ancient legend, these small bloodsuckers were sent to people as a punishment for evil female tongues.

More than two thousand species of mosquitoes are known. And not all of them are carriers of malaria. The latter are slightly larger and their abdomen is located much higher than the head, while in ordinary species the head may be slightly higher or the body is parallel to the surface. Despite the fact that in Lately the number of malarial mosquitoes in the middle lane has increased, in most cases we observe the usual species of these insects.

Only females suck blood, and only when they are preparing to lay eggs. Mosquitoes need blood proteins in order to lay as many eggs as possible. So, a “hungry” mosquito can lay no more than 50 eggs, and a well-fed mosquito can lay up to 300.

A mosquito can detect its prey for several kilometers! Its sting looks like a syringe, the needle of which is still covered with a special protective case. During insertion into the body, the sheath rises. As soon as the sting is introduced into the body, a substance that prevents blood clotting is immediately injected into the human tissue. This very anticoagulant causes itching and redness.

Even five hundred mosquito bites are not dangerous for an adult healthy person. However, for an allergic person, one may be enough to cause a severe allergic reaction and even death.

What to do after a bite?
1. Make a strong solution baking soda and periodically treat the itchy place.
2. Lubricate the bites alcohol tincture calendula, boric alcohol, tomato juice.
3. Make a cold wash.
4. For multiple bites, take an antihistamine.
5. In a camping first-aid kit or in the country, you should definitely keep an antihistamine, fenistil or fucorcin (relieve itching and even eliminate nettle burns).

Folk methods for mosquito bites
1. Treat with sour cream or kefir.
2. Attach a leaf of bird cherry or plantain to the bite site.
3. Lubricate the affected area with Asterisk balm.

Spider bites

There are very poisonous spiders, the bites of which can lead to the death of the victim. When attacked by such a spider, a person should be immediately taken to the hospital.

In fact, not every spider is really dangerous. Brown hermit spiders, karakurts and tarantulas are very dangerous. These insects are found in warm regions, do not like dampness. They usually live where people rarely go, for example, in attics, among firewood.

Tarantulas are quite large and prefer to settle in the steppe sandy places. The brown recluse spider has a special violin-like pattern on its back. And in the karakurt, the abdomen is decorated with a bright red pattern, similar to an hourglass.

tarantula bite pretty painful. At the site of the lesion, the skin turns red, swells and hurts. The general condition of the victim is deteriorating, he is lethargic, he is sleepy. Most often, these symptoms last for several days.

Karakurt bite looks like a weak prick. The condition worsens in about an hour or two. The body at the site of the bite swells, begins to hurt. Gradually, the pain spreads to the lower back, leg muscles, abdomen and upper back. The head is spinning, it hurts, the whole body aches. 2% of karakurt bites end in cardiac arrest and death.

At bitten by a brown recluse spider the victim feels a slight burning sensation. But after 8 hours, the site of the lesion turns red, sore and covered with a blister. After a while, the blister disappears, but a rather large ulcer remains, which gradually becomes even larger. The body temperature rises, the general well-being of the patient worsens, the body aches, the victim is nervous. Deaths from the bites of these spiders have been recorded. They are more dangerous for children.

What to do after a bite?
1. Wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water.
2. To achieve immobility of the affected limb. To do this, apply a tire. When moving, the blood flows faster and the poison is more likely to disperse throughout the body.
3. If the spider has bitten on the leg or arm, you can slightly pinch the limb just above the bite site, applying a kind of “tourniquet”. But you can not pinch the fabric too much. In addition, such a bandage cannot be kept on the body for a long time ( not longer than an hour).
4. Make a cold lotion on the affected area.
5. Drink a lot to cleanse the body of poisons through the kidneys.
6. Take an aspirin adults) or paracetamol.

Be sure to go to the hospital if:

The victim is a child
After a bite, the general well-being of the victim deteriorates significantly,
There is a chance of being bitten by a karakurt or a brown hermit. In such cases, an antidote must be administered.

Bites of domestic insects (bugs)

There are more than fifty thousand varieties of bedbugs on the planet. In temperate climates, there are about a thousand species. Bed bugs eat on average once a week. But given that their colonies are very large, the problem of bedbug bites becomes clear. Existing in the same room with them is almost impossible.

Bedbugs prefer to suck the blood of children and women, because they have thinner skin. If there is a choice, they will go to saturate on the body of a non-smoking family member.

Often, a bug bite is initially mistaken for a mosquito bite or even an allergy. Bedbugs like to settle in hard-to-reach corners: in cracks, under skirting boards, in cracks in furniture, behind paintings and wallpaper. During the day they can be found only if you look carefully.

The bug bite is absolutely painless, as it injects an anesthetic into the wound. Sometimes the bug, in order to drink blood, pierces the body in several places, since it can not immediately find a close vessel.
Bed bugs carry these serious illnesses like tuberculosis, plague, anthrax and smallpox.

What to do?
If bedbugs are found, there are only two options to get rid of them: move to another dwelling for a while or call pest control specialists. You can process the apartment yourself. But for this you need to get a protective suit and a respirator, gloves and a spray device.

Absolutely all objects, walls and floors must be treated with a solution. That is, all surfaces and cracks. On square meter upholstered furniture and carpets, approximately 100 ml of solution is used, and half as much on floors, walls, unupholstered wooden furniture. If you process the room in parts, then cunning bugs will simply move to surfaces that have not yet been processed. Therefore, processing should be carried out immediately and everywhere. Be sure to immediately process the door jambs, ventilation ducts.

After disinfection, all windows should be opened and left for ventilation. During processing, pets, plants and, of course, people should be removed. After airing it is necessary to wipe with a wet cloth all the places that you touch.
Sometimes not all bedbugs die immediately, the drug acts in a week or even a month, it all depends on which drug is chosen.

Tick bite

Ticks often inhabit forests, however, they also feel great in meadows. For a walk in nature, you should choose light-colored clothes - it is easier to spot an insect on it. During the walk, you should carefully examine each other once an hour. It is desirable that the bottom of the trousers be captured by an elastic band or cuff. You can tuck them into boots.
Most often, ticks lie in wait for their victims, sitting on blades of grass or twigs. They can only go up, they can't go down. You can play on this by choosing clothes for a walk. If a tick encounters an obstacle while traveling through your clothes, it will not be able to overcome it.
Returning home from a walk, you need to very carefully review not only your clothes, but also flowers, twigs or toys brought from the forest.

What to do if he sucked?
1. Do not drip any oils or alcohols on the tick. In such a situation, the insect will try to defend itself by injecting more poison into the body.
2. tweezers ( V last resort, fingers) take an insect and unscrew it like a screw. This method gives a 100% result. Just don't pull it, just twist it.
3. After removing the insect, you need to carefully examine the wound - if the proboscis of the insect remains in it. Then treat with alcohol.
4. Give the victim an antihistamine.
5. If the region is unfavorable for encephalitis, it is advisable to immediately contact the clinic after the bite.

Bites in children

Children are a tasty object for bites of blood-sucking insects, because their skin is thin, and blood circulation is very active. A child can get a bite of a wasp or a bee by inadvertently stepping on an insect with a bare foot or even while eating some sweet and juicy fruit - the insect may also want to feast on it.

Even the bite of an ordinary mosquito can cause quite extensive redness, and swelling can be greater than that of an adult. Usually after a couple of days they gradually begin to turn pale and disappear.
Otherwise, the reaction of the child's body to the bite of any insect is not much different from the reaction of adults.

First aid for stinging insect bites is as follows:

remove sting,
apply ice
give an antihistamine by mouth
lubricate the sore spot fenistil-gel or in more severe cases cream advantan. The first remedy is based on herbal ingredients, and the second includes hormones.

You should definitely send the child to the hospital if there are several bites, if they are in the mouth, on the face.
When bitten by a mosquito, you can also lubricate the blister fenistil. If the baby tries to scratch the blister, you must definitely relieve the itch. After all, through a small comb it is easy to bring an infection.

Methods for relieving itching after mosquito bites:

dilute the soda with water to the state of gruel, treat the blister,
wipe with ammonia diluted with water in equal parts,
treat the blister with mint toothpaste.

In nature, a child can be attacked by horseflies. The bite of this insect is very painful, besides, the wound can subsequently become inflamed and even fester, as the insect can lay its eggs under the skin. These insects are more active on a clear sunny day.

If a child is bitten by a horsefly, wash the wound with soap and water as soon as possible. To relieve itching, the same baking soda will help. Lotions are put on for 15 minutes, after which they are replaced by new ones. Horseflies are completely safe in the shade and attack only in sunny meadows, closer to water bodies.

Bites during pregnancy

No one is immune from the bites of pesky mosquitoes or vicious wasps. But future mothers, unlike everyone else, are practically forbidden to use repellents and most drugs.

In extreme cases, if an insect has bitten and the body's reaction is strong, you can drink an antihistamine tablet ( tavegila, suprastina, fenistila).

But it is easier to prevent bites than to treat them later:

don't keep on open places sweet fruits and desserts,
do not drink from cans and bottles that have stood on the table for some time unattended - a wasp can hide in them!
After eating sweets and fruits, be sure to wipe your lips with a wet napkin,
avoid wearing too colorful dresses in nature,
do not walk barefoot on meadows and flower fields,
do not use strong-smelling floral fragrances in summer,
use mosquito nets at home and in the country,
treat clothes with repellents,
use ultrasonic mosquito traps,
if there is no allergy - resort to essential oils.

Treatment of bites

Treatment should be chosen depending on the symptoms. So, with a slight swelling and pain, it will be enough to apply a cold compress or pieces of ice. Some insects, such as mosquitoes, carry germs, so you can also wash the affected area with mild soap and water. By all means, you should refrain from scratching blisters, because this is the first way to infect wounds.

Antihistamines can be successfully used to relieve itching ( zyrtec, loratadine, suprastin, phencarol, tavegil), sold in pharmacies without a prescription.

If there have been very severe reactions to insect bites in the past, the contents of the anti-anaphylactic packet should be used. This package includes a syringe with adrenaline for an injection, an antihistamine and a tourniquet. These drugs should be used as prescribed by the doctor. In such cases, it is also assigned diphenhydramine, as well as drugs from the group cortisone. The hospital will teach you how to use an anti-anaphylactic bag.

If the wound becomes infected, oral forms of antibiotics are given. And in the most severe cases, they resort to an oxygen mask, intravenous infusions of drugs. In such patients, the work of the heart should be constantly monitored.

Antihistamines are prescribed for a period of three to five days. Duration of steroid use cortisone) prescribed by a doctor.

Folk methods of treatment

1. Treat the bite site with echinacea tincture and drink a few drops inside. According to doctors, echinacea regulates the immune system and eliminates allergic manifestations.
2. Crush an activated charcoal tablet and add water to make a slurry. Apply it to the bite site so that it does not dry out quickly, cover with a film on top. Charcoal acts as an antidote, absorbing poison molecules from the wound.
3. Make a lotion from milk or from milk ice. Hold up to 10 minutes.

Ointment for insect bites

All ointments used to eliminate the effects of insect bites are divided into hormonal and non-hormonal.

Psilo Balm - antiallergic agent. Eliminates itching, redness and swelling of the skin, anesthetizes, cools. Indicated for use in insect bites, itchy eczema, chickenpox, allergies. Not valid on general state organism. Processing is carried out three to four times a day. During pregnancy is used with caution.

vitaon - balm based on herbal ingredients: oils of mint, pine buds, wormwood, yarrow, wild rose, St. John's wort, celandine, marigold, chamomile, fennel, cumin, thyme, camphor. Relieves pain and itching, eliminates inflammation, destroys microbes, promotes rapid healing. Used for lotions or treatments of affected areas. Treatments are carried out twice a day, lotion is placed for 48 hours.

Golden Star - ointment based on herbal ingredients: mint, clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, camphor, menthol oils. Effective for both repelling insects and treating bites. Relieves itching, inflammation. Do not apply near the eyes, damaged skin and mucous membranes. Rub a small amount of ointment into the affected area. May cause an intolerance reaction. In this case, wash the skin area thoroughly with warm water and soap. Not used until the age of two years.

Fenistil gel - antihistamine preparation for local treatments. Recommended for relieving itching from insect bites. The effect of the drug is noticeable within a few minutes after application, effective for 1 to 4 hours. Places of bites are treated two to four times a day. If itching is very severe, it must be combined with an oral antihistamine. It is forbidden to use if the victim is under 1 month old. During pregnancy, use only after consulting a doctor and on small areas of the body.

Sinaflan - corticosteroid for local treatments. Recommended for the treatment of insect bites, first degree burns, sunburn, itching, eczema, dermatitis, neurodermatitis. The ointment is used only for short courses and for treating small areas of the body, as it causes many side effects. Treat the affected area one to three times a day.

Advantan is a glucocorticosteroid of the latest generation. Due to the special form of the active ingredient, the drug has practically no general effect on the body, even with prolonged use. In the case of insect bites, it is recommended only in case of a very pronounced reaction. The drug usually does not cause side effects. Treatment with ointment is carried out once a day, not abundantly.

Bites of poisonous insects

The most dangerous are the bites of scorpions, karakurt, salpuga, centipede, tarantula.

Despite the fact that the vast majority of poisonous insects are no more dangerous than bees, the reaction to them largely depends on the state of the organism. According to statistics, babies with weak body defenses most often die from scorpion stings.

The prevention of bites of such dangerous insects in their habitats consists in the use of repellents, a thorough examination of shoes and clothes before putting them on, and blockage of all cracks through which insects can get into a dwelling or tent.

When bitten poisonous insect it is required to immediately enter a special anti-venom serum ( specific for each type of insect), and then support the heart and blood vessels with the help of medications. If it is not possible to immediately deliver the victim to a medical facility, you need to make a strong solution of potassium permanganate, moisten a cloth in it and apply a lotion to the wound. Then give to drink 100 ml of a weak solution of potassium permanganate, lay, wrap, periodically drink water.

Homeopathy for bites

Of all the homeopathic remedies used to relieve the effects of insect bites, the most common are Apis And Ledum. The first is made from the bodies of dead bees and bee venom. The drugs can be taken orally and treated with wounds. For external use, drops are applied to the bandage, and a lotion is made.

A drug Apis effective for bee stings, if there is a strong swelling and redness of the tissues, the bite site hurts sharply, a blister forms.
A drug Ledum it is also recommended in cases where, after a bite, the tissues become cold, turn pale and pain is relieved with cold compresses.

To prevent a strong allergic reaction, you can take the drug for 4 days at the beginning of the warm period of the year. Apis. For many allergy sufferers, this homeopathic remedy acts almost like a vaccination, nullifying the body's reaction to insect bites.

When is a doctor needed?

If an insect bite causes not just redness at the site of the bite, but any other general disorders that do not even cause great trouble, you should definitely consult a doctor. After all, when they reappear, they can be much more intense and cause anaphylactic shock.

The most common reaction to bites are rashes like urticaria. The spots covering the body do not have the same shape, they are slightly raised above the level of the skin, swollen and red, itchy. If no other symptoms are observed, the doctor will prescribe antihistamines.

If microbes were introduced into the bite site ( the tissues are hot, the general condition worsens, a bright streak has formed on the skin) need a doctor's help.
In any case, the victim requires attention from others. It is necessary to monitor his condition and, in case of deterioration in general well-being, contact a specialist.

If it is known that the victim has severe reactions to insect bites, you need to call an ambulance immediately after the incident, even if the victim’s condition seems to be normal.

In addition, you need to call an ambulance if the following signs are observed:

dyspnea,
hoarse breath,
feeling of heaviness or pain in the chest,
lethargy or lack of coordination
inability to swallow, speak, sensation of squeezing the throat,
signs of infection.

As a rule, it is enough to examine the victim to make a diagnosis. It is also necessary to examine the state of the heart and respiratory tract.

Prevention

1. Take into account the daily activity of insects. Thus, mosquitoes in temperate climates are usually active at dusk. Therefore, people who are allergic to their bites should refrain from walking at this time of day.
2. When walking in nature, it is better to dress in light clothes, but with long trousers and sleeves. T-shirts and shirts should be tucked into trousers. It is advisable to wear a Panama hat on your head. That is, open areas of the body should be as small as possible.
3. Repellents should not be neglected. They can be applied not only directly to the body, but also to clothing ( for this there is special means ). Products containing permethrin repel mosquitoes, ticks and other insects. They need to be applied to the fabric, and even after several washes they retain their effect. Moreover, this type of treatment is practically harmless to humans. Another active ingredient used by many repellant manufacturers is DEET. It can be applied both on clothes and directly on the skin. The drug should not contain more than 35% DEET, since a larger amount does not affect the effectiveness in any way, but adversely affects health.
4. Use mosquito nets. Now they are produced not only for windows, but even for cribs and strollers.
5. Eucalyptus extract can be used instead of fumigator fluid. Mosquitoes hate this smell.
6. Mosquitoes from a mile away feel elevated cholesterol levels in the blood and prefer just such people to everyone else. Therefore - normalize cholesterol.

Repellents for children

When choosing a repellent, you must first read the labels on the package. In children's preparations, there should be no substance as active ingredients diethyltoluamide (DEET). This component is very toxic, so children under the age of six should not even apply it to clothing.

The most preferred are byrepel, and IR 3535. Very effective and completely harmless is the balm " Golden Star". You can treat the baby's clothes and skin with vanilla extract, cedar or clove oil, tincture of lemon balm or eucalyptus.
For children, do not choose aerosol products, but only creams, ointments or gels.

How to use repellents correctly?

When using mosquito repellents for body treatment, it should be remembered that poisons that are dangerous for mosquitoes are also dangerous for humans.

How to minimize harm from toxic components?
1. If you plan to be in nature for no longer than one and a half hours, you should choose drugs with a low concentration of the active substance ( to 10%). But such drugs are not suitable for ticks - they are only afraid of lethal concentrations above 20%.
2. Do not water with repellent - its increased amount will not affect the effect in any way.
3. To spread a cream or gel on the body, it is better to put a thin medical glove on your hand.
4. Aerosol must not be applied to the face! But only a cream, ointment or gel.
5. Aerosols should not be used in closed rooms.
6. Do not treat areas of skin hidden by clothing.
7. Some components of repellents may interact with synthetic fibers of fabrics. Therefore, it is preferable to wear things made from natural fabrics.
8. Do not repel areas with scratches, wounds, inflammation, lips, and eyelids.
9. After a walk, you need to take a shower and remove the remnants of the substance from the body.
10. If clothes are treated with repellent, they should be changed as soon as there is no need for protection.
11. The manufacturer usually gives recommendations on the frequency of treatments - do not neglect these recommendations.

Plants that repel insects

1. Marigold Flies and mosquitoes hate their smell.
2. Bergamot - will help to avoid bites, as well as relieve inflammation during bites. Very effective in this case in combination with lavender.
3. Verbena - repels any insects.
4. Carnation - Great for repelling mosquitoes and flies.
5. Geranium - both in the form of a plant and in the form of an oil, geranium repels insects.
6. Cedar - repels midges and mosquitoes.
7. Cypress - is a strong insecticide.
8. Lavender - effective against moths, mosquitoes, flies. Helps prevent blistering from bites.
9. laurel - repel insects and help heal blisters faster.
10. Melissa - remarkably repels insects, and also relieves pain during stings.
11. Eucalyptus - Great insect repellant.
Before use, you should consult with a specialist.

Treatment of edema from bee and wasp stings with medicines and folk remedies. Insect bites. What to do after a bite