Difficulties in treating bite wounds

How to recognize which insect bit you

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Few people manage to avoid insect bites in their lives. In summer, this problem is especially relevant. Sometimes it is difficult to determine who bit you. The wound may hurt, itch, and swelling may appear. But there's no need to panic.

Bright Side has created a small cheat sheet so that you know exactly what insect attacked you.

Mosquito

Mosquito bites appear as swollen red spots the size of a small berry. Most often they are located on open areas of the body. Mosquitoes bite where the skin is thinnest and where blood vessels are easier to reach. When they bite, they inject saliva into the wound along with anticoagulants that thin the blood. They cause tissue swelling, redness and itching.

The body reacts to a tick attack with a red spot at the site of the bite. The insect can remain on the victim for a long time and increase in size, feeding on its blood.

The worst thing is that ticks infect people with encephalitis, borreliosis and many other diseases. If, after removing the insect, the round spot on the skin does not go away, but only increases in size, consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Fleas

Flea bites can be confused with allergies or mosquito pranks because similar red swellings appear on the skin. But, unlike mosquitoes, these insects bite quite painfully, and their bites itch much more.

Fleas usually attack the legs and can only bite a sleeping person in other places. One insect can bite a person several times, so often the distance between spots is 1–2 cm. Fleas carry many diseases that are dangerous to humans.

Bee

A sting may remain at the site of a bee sting, which must be carefully removed. The skin usually turns red and becomes swollen. The person feels acute pain and burning, and after some time severe itching. If there is no allergy, then the troubles you will have to experience end there. If there is an allergy to bee venom, then a person may begin to suffocate, and here one cannot do without medical help.

Symptoms after a wasp attack are similar to those after a bee attack. A red swelling, acute pain and burning sensation, and then unbearable itching appear at the site of the bite. There may be bleeding on the skin. A wasp can bite a person several times. As with the bee, it is important that you are not allergic to the insect's venom, otherwise anaphylactic shock may occur.

Hornet

At the site of the hornet bite, redness and severe swelling of the tissues occur, and blisters may appear. The person will feel a burning pain, even more acute than a wasp sting. Since hornets are larger than their relatives, their poison is more toxic. It contains histamine and acetylcholine.

If, after a hornet bite, a person feels cold in his limbs, his ears and lips turn blue, and it becomes difficult to breathe, he should immediately consult a doctor.

Ant

Most ants are not dangerous to humans. But, for example, red fiery can cause trouble. At the sites of his bites, pustules form - pustules, which will later turn into scars. Ant venom contains toxins, and a person may experience severe allergies or anaphylactic shock.

The bite of the more harmless red forest ant looks like a mosquito bite. A pink spot appears on the skin, which will then itch. At the moment of the bite, a person will feel a burning sensation, as if boiling water had hit the skin.

Horsefly

The horsefly looks like a large, fleshy fly. But, unlike her, it can bite a person quite painfully and feed on his blood. First, at the site of the bite, you may notice a small red spot more than 1 mm in diameter. Then swelling and itching occurs. Horseflies carry various diseases such as tularemia and anthrax, but more often attack livestock than people.

If you notice small red dots that look like mosquito bites in areas where hair grows thickly, on your head, neck or behind your ears, you have been bitten by head or pubic lice. If there are such points on the back, stomach, arms and legs, these are the work of linen lice. The bites are located at a distance of several centimeters from each other, and at the site of the bite you can see a trace of a skin puncture.

Lice are carriers of dangerous diseases such as trench fever and typhus.

At first glance, bedbug bites look like marks from a flea attack, mosquito attack, or an allergy. You may notice swelling, redness, and severe itching on the skin. But you can distinguish the “work” of bedbugs by the characteristic chain-paths on the skin. The bites are close to each other. And bedbugs bite more painfully than mosquitoes. Multiple tracks on the body can be detected in the morning - bedbugs come out to hunt at night.

Why are different types of human bites dangerous?

• Back of the hand: Bites from human teeth above the knuckles are very serious. They are at high risk of infection. Once infected, these human bites can cause severe damage to important areas of the arm. Additionally, a strong punch to the mouth area can cause broken bones or lacerated tendons, requiring medical attention. An infected human bite on the back of the hand usually requires hospitalization for at least a day.
• Finger bite : Just like a traumatic fist wound, this bite from a person's teeth can lead to serious problems - damage to bones and tendons with the risk of infection.
• Bites with tissue loss: If a significant amount of skin and muscle tissue is lost, the patient should seek medical attention as soon as possible. A specialist (such as a surgeon) can often correct the loss of a piece of tissue resulting from a human bite.
• Deep bites: Any human bite that bleeds heavily or appears to be more than a scratch requires careful treatment and examination.
• Infection after a bite: Bites that become infected often require the patient to remain in the hospital and receive antibiotics. The doctor will determine whether treatment with oral antibiotics is possible or if they need to be administered intravenously in a hospital setting.
• Scalp Bites in Children: Because the scalp of a child is thinner than that of an adult, the risk of serious infection of any traumatic scalp wound (including the forehead) caused by teeth is increased and should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

Human nose and ear bites are a particular problem due to the cartilage in these parts of the body. Due to reduced blood flow, cartilage infections can be difficult to treat, and the injury can cause long-term effects and even permanent changes in the appearance of the ear or nose.

Does a bruise happen from an insect bite, and what to do about it?

Today I accidentally discovered a bruise on my arm. It’s unclear where it came from, there was nothing there, it didn’t hit hard. Yesterday this place itched, but I didn’t attach any importance to it; it felt like something like a pimple or dried blood. But it was dark and I didn’t look. The bruise is 3 cm in diameter and does not hurt at all. During the day it was burgundy, now it’s brown, and you can feel something in the center under the skin. I panicked, what if it was some kind of insect. I don’t live in Africa, but it’s scary. All sorts of worst-case scenarios play out in my head. Should I go to the doctor or not?

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The bruise could be from an insect bite, or it could be an allergic reaction. My mom is like that. When she was young, she was bitten in the stomach by a wasp and almost died. As a result, I developed a severe allergy. Mosquito bites go away without a trace. but when midges bite, the area swells and a bruise forms. It’s especially beautiful when she’s bitten in the eye area)) immediately gives a black eye)) and it’s funny and sad at the same time))

Insect bites

Along with the warmth, mosquitoes, midges, and horseflies appear outside. Parents with small children need to be extremely careful when walking in nature. In children, insect bites can fester, because the child does not control himself and can scratch the wound with dirty fingers. Don't forget about allergies!

So, who can bite us: what safety measures are there and what to do if they do bite us.

How to recognize who bit you?

Midge

Where and when. Favorite places are near fast rivers, where their larvae develop. They usually bite on hot sunny days.

Bite. We often don’t feel the moment of the bite – the midge simultaneously injects “freezing” saliva.

How does it manifest? After a few minutes, a burning sensation, severe itching and large red swelling (sometimes the size of the palm of your hand) appears.

Why is it dangerous? The saliva of midges is poisonous. The swelling subsides after a few days, but unbearable itching may persist for several weeks. Children usually scratch the bite area until it bleeds until ulcers appear. Multiple bites sometimes lead to an increase in temperature and signs of general poisoning. Those who are allergic to insect bites need to be especially careful.

What to do? Wipe the skin with ammonia, and then apply ice. You can take an antihistamine.

Mosquito

Where and when? There are especially many mosquitoes near bodies of water with standing water. They commit atrocities around the clock from late May to September, especially at night and before rain.

Bite. You may not even feel it.

How does it manifest? White itchy blister with redness around it.

Why is it dangerous? In general, a mosquito is far from a harmless creature. There are mosquitoes that carry malaria and some viral infections. Plus, there are allergies to bites.

What to do? Itching is relieved by applying a lotion of soda solution (see Help after an insect bite).

You can apply Psilo-balm gel. The drug can help reduce redness, itching and pain, and also has a cooling effect.

Psilo-balm does not contain corticosteroids and is applied to the affected area of ​​skin for children over 2 years of age and adults 3-4 times a day.

Wasp or bee

Where and when. All summer during daylight hours in glades, meadows, and gardens.

Bite . Sharp pain and burning, a sting (black) left in the wound is visible. The insect's venom causes severe swelling in the bite area. The sore spot turns red and becomes hot.

Why is it dangerous? An allergic reaction, especially if bitten on the head, can be life-threatening! If a small child has been bitten, in any case he should be shown to a doctor and an ambulance should be called.

What to do? Remove the sting with tweezers, wash the wound with alcohol and anoint it with iodine. Take an antihistamine and apply ice in a towel to the bite. A cotton swab with novocaine solution will relieve the pain.

What attracts them? Everything sweet, bouquets of flowers, perfumes with a floral aroma, clothes in “neon” colors.

Protection from insect bites. Do not leave sweets or fruits on the table, wipe your mouth with a damp napkin after eating, and do not walk barefoot through clover fields.

Bite. Insensitive, the mite anesthetizes the wound with saliva and attaches itself to the skin.

How does it manifest? Redness appears around the bite, the wound does not itch.

Why is it dangerous? Ticks carry deadly diseases - borreliosis or Lyme disease and encephalitis.

What to do? It is best to immediately go to the nearest emergency room - they will remove the tick and tell you the procedure to follow. If this is not possible, you can try to carefully remove the tick with tweezers (so that the head does not remain in the skin). Treat the wound with alcohol. And still run to the doctor! Together with the tick (in a jar), it will also need to be tested by doctors. If your area is endemic for encephalitis (that is, there have been cases of detection of this disease in ticks), then an immunoglobulin injection is necessary. Preventing infection with borreliosis is taking antibiotics strictly as prescribed by your doctor. Security measures. Cover your body tightly: a stand-up collar, cuffs on trousers and sleeves will protect your body, a cap or headscarf will protect your head. Inspect your skin after every foray into the forest. Treat clothes (not skin!) with special tick repellents - again, pay attention to age restrictions.

Ant

Where and when. From spring to autumn in forests and parks.

Bite . The ant does not bite, but shoots out a stream of poisonous formic acid. The victim feels a burning pain, the affected area turns red, and a tiny blister may appear - a trace of a burn. Dermatitis and allergic reactions are possible.

How to treat a human bite

• Minor Bites: A human bite that causes only bruising or scratching of the top layer of skin does not require more than simple treatment and washing with soap and water, ice, and mild pain relievers such as Acetaminophen (Paracetamol). A tetanus shot may be required if the skin is broken and the person bitten has not been vaccinated in the past five years. Antibiotics are usually not needed after a minor bite.

• 
  Deeper bites causing bleeding wounds:

  In addition to giving a tetanus shot if necessary, the doctor will usually numb these bites (for example, with lidocaine) and then carefully inspect and clean the wound (large amounts of water and an antiseptic solution) to remove dirt. While treating the bite, the doctor may remove small pieces of tissue that appear to be dead. This helps reduce the risk of infection.
• Stitches: The decision to stitch or not stitch wounds after a human bite depends on many factors. Doctors are often reluctant to put stitches on cuts caused by human bites because of the high risk of infection from bacteria that can thrive in damaged or dying or dead tissue (devitalized tissue). On the other hand, some bites, especially those on the face, may heal better if stitches are used, and the risk of infection in that area is not as high. Most small bites heal on their own, even without stitches. Sometimes the doctor will ask the patient to return for an appointment after 4-5 days to check whether stitches are needed to close the large wound caused by the bite.
• Additional treatment: Your doctor may apply a splint to the bite area to immobilize it. A sling (shoulder sling) may be used to support the injured arm. Painkillers may be prescribed.

Medicines after a person is bitten by a person

Antibiotics: The decision to use antibiotics also involves a number of factors related to the bite and the people involved in the incident. Your doctor may prescribe amoxicillin/augmentin or ampicillin if you have been bitten by a person, as these antibiotics are usually effective against Eikenella corrodens, a type of bacteria often involved in bite infections.

Below are some general guidelines about the use of antibiotics for human bites.

• Minor bites without superficial breaks in the skin: No antibiotics needed.
• Infected bites: Antibiotics are given orally or intravenously, depending on the severity of the infection.
• Traumatic wound on the back of the hand: Antibiotics are usually needed after a human bite. Oral antibiotics are often prescribed for initial treatment. If the wound is already infected, bites are usually treated in the hospital with intravenous antibiotics.
• Medicines to prevent HIV transmission: The patient and their doctor should discuss the risk of HIV transmission through a bite and the possibility of prescribing medications that reduce the risk of HIV transmission. The sooner post-exposure prophylaxis medications are started, the more effective they are.

All about lice and pediculosis

Pediculosis is a parasitic disease of hair and skin caused by lice. The latter are insects whose mouthparts are designed to pierce the skin and suck blood.

From this article you will learn:

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• what pubic, linen and head lice look like;
• what is pediculosis;
• what is its danger?
• how to protect yourself from the disease.

Head louse

The head louse is usually localized in the occipital, temporal regions, beard, and mustache in men. The legs of insects are adapted for attachment to precisely such hairs with a circular cross-section.

Arthropods have an oblong shape. The length of the male is 1–3 mm, the female is 4 mm. The insects are gray in color and turn red or purple after ingesting blood. The oral apparatus of lice is formed by piercing needles enclosed in a proboscis that turns out of the oral cavity. The latter is pressed tightly against the skin during an insect bite. The saliva of parasites contains an enzyme that prevents blood clotting.

Lice feed twice a day, the female absorbs about 0.7 ml of blood per meal, and the male - a third of this volume. Without food, arthropods die within 2 days.

The female lays 5 eggs per day, from which lice of subsequent generations appear. After 6–10 days, head lice reach sexual maturity.

The lifespan of lice is from 28 to 32 days.

The optimal temperature for head lice to reproduce is 28 °C. When the temperature drops to 22 °C or rises to 35 °C, the vital processes of insects slow down sharply. At temperatures above 44 °C, the head louse dies.

Linen lice

Body lice and bed lice are other names for linen lice. Parasites live in seams, folds of linen and clothing. They are found on sleeves, collars, and belts.

Linen lice temporarily crawl onto the human body to feed, usually on the neck, upper back, armpits, inguinal-femoral folds, and lower back. Arthropods consume blood 2–3 times a day. At one time, an adult consumes 0.001–0.003 ml of blood.

The length of adults is 3–5 mm, females are larger than males. The body louse has a longer body than the head louse. During the life cycle, the female lays up to 400 eggs.

Females live 6–8 weeks, males about 30 days. Insects die at temperatures above 60 °C and below 13 °C.

Pubic lice

These insects are localized in the area of ​​the pubis, scrotum, perineum, and perianal fold. The structural features of the legs of parasites ensure their reliable attachment to such hair with a triangular cross-section. These lice in humans are occasionally found in the armpits, on the body, eyelashes, and eyebrows.

The length of males is 1 mm, the size of females is about 1.5 mm. Pubic lice are dark in color, the parasite visually resembles a crab, and the abdomen is wide and short.

Pubic lice feed frequently, with short breaks, the volume of one blood intake is 0.1 ml. If insects are left without food for 24 hours, they die. Parasites live from 21 to 28 days. The female lays from 1 to 3 eggs per day, and about 30 larvae throughout her life.

Pediculosis pubis is also called phthiriasis.

What are nits

Cocoons form around the eggs laid by female insects. Head and pubic lice lay their eggs on the hair, to which they attach using a special secretion. The cocoon with the egg inside is called a nit.

The body louse randomly lays eggs, they fall on clothes, underwear, where they are attached to the seams and folds.

The nits are white, spindle-shaped, and size 0.4–2 mm. They are not transmitted from one person to another.

Eggs of pubic and head lice mature in 7–10 days. Bed lice larvae take longer to mature due to frequent cooling of linen and clothing.

When the nit is opened, the cap falls off and air enters through it. The latter fills the cocoon at its base and gradually displaces the larva, which is called a nymph. She molts three times, after which an adult should emerge.

Lice: how they are transmitted to another person

Many people are interested in what causes lice. The main route of transmission of parasites is contact. A predisposing factor for the occurrence of the disease is unfavorable sanitary and hygienic conditions.

Pediculosis in children and adults occurs through close contact with infected people or objects they use. It happens:

• when using other people's hats, combs, clothes, underwear, bed linen;
• in public transport;
• in saunas, baths, swimming pools;
• in children's groups;
• in public places of recreation (in camps, resorts).

Pediculosis pubis is considered a sexually transmitted disease. The insect starts after sexual contact, contact with the skin or hair of an infected person. In a third of cases, pediculosis pubis is combined with some kind of sexually transmitted disease.

Signs of lice

Many people are interested in what the symptoms of lice and nits are and the incubation period for lice. When a head, pubic or body louse bites the skin, their saliva gets into the wound, and after a while excrement, which leads to itching. This is the main sign that a child or adult has parasites. It is most pronounced in the back of the head, temples, and behind the ears.

If a child has lice, he becomes more capricious and sleeps restlessly. Scratch marks, peeling, and round bluish-blue spots may appear on the skin, formed due to the interaction of the parasite's saliva with the blood. The spots do not disappear when pressed; their size is 5–15 mm.

Upon careful examination, lice may be visible in the hair, and nits may be noticeable. If the latter are empty, they are gray in color; when there is a larva inside, they are whitish or yellowish.

With lice, a secondary infection occurs in places where scratching occurs, and pyoderma may appear - a purulent skin lesion that occurs as a result of the penetration of bacteria into it. If the infection penetrates into deeper tissues, the following complications will occur:

• boil - acute inflammation of the hair follicle, sebaceous gland, surrounding tissues of a purulent-necrotic nature;
• carbuncle - acute inflammation of the skin, fatty tissue around a group of sebaceous glands, hair follicles of a purulent-necrotic nature;
• abscess - inflammation of tissue with the formation of a cavity filled with pus.

Horsefly bite - treat correctly

Summer has come. We again escape from the stuffy apartments and enjoy the sun. And what a pleasure it is to run through the dew in the morning, sit with a fishing rod at dawn, find a strawberry meadow, or just sunbathe and swim in the river. However, often a pleasant holiday is interrupted by a horsefly bite. This dangerous insect can quite significantly spoil your life and incapacitate you for several days.

So, what is a horsefly, is its bite dangerous for humans and how to protect yourself from it? We will answer these and many other questions below.

Female bullfly

Interesting facts from the life of horse flies

Horseflies are a type of midge (two-winged blood-sucking insects) that require human or animal blood to reproduce. Their numbers and species composition depend on climatic conditions and time of year. The favorite habitats of bloodsuckers are forests, banks of rivers and lakes, parks with dense vegetation, and pastures. They are often found in steppes and deserts, on the streets of large cities. The active years of horse flies, which look like large flies, begin at the end of June. Insects love hot and windless weather. They are especially attracted by the smell of sweat and wet bodies.

This is interesting. Only female horse flies bite during breeding. Males feed exclusively on plant nectar.

Most often in Russia there are three types of bloodsuckers:

1. Bullflies. The size of these dark brown flies ranges from 10 to 25 mm. They prefer forest edges and pastures, breed near rivers and swamps, laying eggs in the grass.
2. Raincoats. Smaller insects (10–15 mm) are especially active before rain. Their wings have a marble pattern.
3. Lacewings (pieds). Small (10–11 mm) flies are dark gray in color with a yellow belly. The wings of males are black, while those of females are transparent, with a dark pattern. They prefer the banks of rivers and lakes.

This is what a gadfly looks like

Very often horseflies are called gadflies, without seeing the difference between them. It's a delusion. Gadflies belong to the group of parasitic flies and do not drink human or animal blood. Their mouth parts are underdeveloped and incapable of feeding. In appearance, gadflies resemble bumblebees.

How does a horsefly bite manifest itself?

The horsefly is a fairly large insect and it is difficult not to notice its approach. However, most often this is exactly what happens. The person only realizes at the moment of the bite, feeling a sharp pain and burning sensation. The female's trunk is equipped with many razor-sharp stilettos that not only pierce, but cut the skin.

The first symptoms of a horsefly bite develop very quickly. The area around the wound becomes red and swollen before the eyes, and painful itching appears. Chills may occur, and sometimes the victim complains of body aches and dizziness. You can see what a horsefly bite leads to in the photo.

Children have a hard time with horsefly bites

Attention. After several hours, the symptoms become more pronounced. The horsefly bite is very itchy, a seal appears around the wound, and swelling grows.

An anticoagulant injected by a horsefly when the skin is damaged often triggers an immune response in the body. Children and people prone to allergies are especially predisposed to such a reaction. In recent years, even a single bite is increasingly causing a lot of problems and requiring medical treatment.

If the bloodsucker attacks were multiple in nature, the victim’s well-being noticeably worsens after some time. In this case, symptoms of general intoxication of the body develop:

• headache;
• chills;
• nausea and vomiting;
• increased body temperature;
• loss of consciousness.

If such signs of illness appear, you must call an ambulance or consult a doctor yourself.

Swelling is the main symptom of a bite

It is the swelling that causes the most suffering to the victim. It is always accompanied by redness, soreness and severe itching. In people with thin and delicate skin, and most often these are women and children, the swelling quickly grows to enormous sizes, becomes hot to the touch and acquires a dense consistency.

In children, swelling after a horsefly bite is especially pronounced

Swelling after a horsefly bite lasts for several days and often turns into a bruise. Its severity depends on the individual characteristics of the person, the size of the attached insect and the time spent on the body.

In people with a tendency to allergies, swelling takes on pathological forms. It is not limited to the site of the lesion and nearby tissues, but spreads to the entire affected limb.

Consequences of a horsefly bite

Residents of modern megacities do not often encounter these bloodthirsty insects. Therefore, not everyone knows how long a horsefly bite lasts and what it can lead to.

Let's start with the fact that all people are different. Some people forget about their meeting with the bloodsucker the very next day. Usually these are men who experience discomfort only in the first few hours after the bite.

It is much more difficult for women and children. Thin, delicate skin and greater susceptibility to antigens contained in saliva lead to prolonged resorption of edema. All symptoms disappear only after 5–7 days.

But there are also exceptions. In isolated cases, after a horsefly bite, serious consequences develop:

1. Enlargement of nearby lymph nodes.
2. Formation of a painful lump at the site of the lesion, which takes a very long time to resolve. This symptomatology is typical for children.
3. Infection of the bite site with subsequent inflammation and suppuration. Most often it develops after scratching the wound.
4. Allergic reaction. Observed in the first hours after a bloodsucker attack. It usually goes away on its own, but sometimes requires specific treatment. The manifestations of allergies are very diverse, so let's talk about them separately.

In people with poor blood clotting, the wound may bleed for some time after the itching and swelling have passed.

Allergy as a complication of a bite

In recent years, allergies to horsefly bites have become quite common. People who already have a history of a tendency to autoimmune processes are most susceptible to such a reaction.

This is what a horsefly bite looks like in people prone to allergies

Attention. The risk group also includes children and people with immunodeficiency. Imperfection or damage to the immune system leads to the penetration of salivary antigens into the general bloodstream and the development of powerful autoimmune reactions.

An allergy to a horsefly bite manifests itself as follows:

• hives-like skin rash that occurs throughout the body;
• decrease in blood pressure;
• profuse sweating;
• nasal congestion;
• dyspnea;
• vomit.

In severe cases, anaphylactic shock may develop. This situation occurs extremely rarely and requires urgent medical attention.

How else is a horsefly bite dangerous for humans? Female midges, being bloodsuckers, can act as carriers of anthrax, helminthic infestations, trypanosomiasis, tularemia and other diseases.

First aid for a horsefly bite

We don't come across horseflies as often as mosquitoes, but the consequences of their bite are much more serious. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to know how to behave correctly after meeting them:

1. The bitten area must be pressed with a hard object. You can take a coin or simply press the wound with your finger.
2. Wash the affected area with cool water and soap and treat with any antiseptic.
3. To reduce pain and swelling, apply an ice compress.
4. A lotion of baking soda or applying a special cream will help eliminate itching and redness.

It is recommended to wash the bite site with soap and water

Advice. If a horsefly has bitten an arm or leg and the limb becomes swollen, heavy and hot, you need to take an antihistamine.

Treatment of a horsefly bite

If first aid was not provided to the victim in a timely manner or it did not bring the desired effect, it is necessary to carry out medical treatment of horsefly bites. People at risk usually resort to therapeutic measures. For everyone else, medical care is usually not required.

Pharmacy products

An integrated approach is used to treat bites. It includes lotions, ointments and systemic therapy drugs:

1. Antihistamines - Suprastin, Zyrtec, Claritin. In case of severe swelling, intramuscular administration of drugs is possible.
2. Compresses with Dimexide, ammonia, baking soda, diphenhydramine.
3. Anti-inflammatory ointments based on glucocorticoids - Hydrocortisone, Trimistin, Prednisolone. The remedy for horsefly bites is applied generously to the affected area several times a day or ointment applications are made.
4. For better healing and reduction of itching, local drugs are used - Rescuer, Bepanten, Panthenol, Fenistil-gel.

If severe swelling occurs after a bite, you should take a Claritin tablet.

Advice. If the wound has become suppurated or a painful lump has formed at the site of the bite, you should consult a surgeon. The doctor will open the abscess, clean the tissue, and apply an ointment bandage.

Folk remedies

Very often, horsefly bites occur in the field, where it is not possible to use pharmaceuticals. The victim has to make do with what is at hand. And I must say, medicinal herbs help no worse than patented medicines.

So, how to treat swelling from a horsefly bite with folk remedies? For the best effect of herbal medicine, it is necessary to select plants with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects:

• plantain;
• dandelion;
• mint;
• strawberries;
• yarrow.

The herbs must be mashed well until the juice appears and applied to the bitten area.

Plantain will help relieve swelling and itching after a bite

Advice. If an unpleasant encounter with a horsefly occurred in the garden, you can use a cabbage leaf for treatment. This compress quickly relieves swelling, redness and itching.

Salt or vodka lotion helps a lot. Those who are especially desperate can dilute salt in vodka, moisten gauze or cloth in the solution and apply it to the bite overnight.

What not to do after a horsefly bite

Above we looked at how to help a victim of a bloodsucker. Now let’s briefly look at some points that need to be taken into account during treatment:

• Do not scratch the wound or open the bite site;
• It is forbidden to apply warm compresses to the affected area;
• It is not recommended to take antibacterial drugs to eliminate swelling and inflammation. In the absence of a secondary infection, they are useless.

If a horsefly bite hits a mole, do not ignore the situation under any circumstances. Visit your doctor right away. Do not start topical treatment without his permission. Damage to nevus cells can provoke their degeneration into a malignant form.

How to protect yourself from horsefly bites

The bite of a bloodsucker, of course, is not fatal, but it is better not to encounter these dangerous insects. A few simple rules will help you maintain your health and nerves:

1. Horseflies attack only on a warm sunny day. Please take this into account and be careful during this time.
2. Gnus loves dark colors and an open body, so for walks in the forest, wear a light-colored suit with long sleeves and legs.
3. Repellents that should be applied to clothing and exposed areas of the body will help repel bloodsuckers. People with individual intolerance to insecticides are recommended to use natural products with a strong odor: essential oils, Golden Star balm.
4. Medicinal herbs with a tart aroma disorient and repel horse flies. The leaves of plants, crushed until the juice appears, can be lubricated on unprotected areas of the body.
5. To prevent insects from entering the house, it is necessary to install mosquito nets. It is recommended to cover the baby in the stroller with a special canopy. You can protect your baby crib in the same way.

Thick clothing and a protective mask will save you from horseflies

Advice. To reduce the number of bloodsuckers in your dacha, plant sharp-smelling plants around the perimeter: marigolds, geraniums, mint and lavender.

We are part of the natural biosphere, in which we have to coexist with various organisms, including parasites. There is no escape from this, which means it is necessary to take all possible measures to protect against bloodsuckers. If a horsefly does bite you, don’t panic. That's not fatal. Timely and competent actions will help minimize the consequences of an unpleasant meeting.

Attention. The article is for informational purposes only. Consultation with a specialist is required.

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How dangerous are insect bites?

Poisonous insects do not live in most of Russia. However, the bite of almost any insect can cause an allergic reaction, including a very severe one: suffocation, anaphylactic shock. The most serious health consequences - kidney dysfunction, seizures and even paralysis - are usually caused by bee, wasp or hornet stings, especially multiple ones. In addition, insects can carry various diseases, many of which are life-threatening.

When bitten, you can become infected, for example, with encephalitis or borreliosis (carriers are ticks), malaria (carriers are mosquitoes), typhus and rickettsiosis (carried by lice)

In most cases, insect bites are not so much dangerous as they are unpleasant: they can cause swelling, swelling, itching, pain, and burning. When scratching, the affected areas often become infected.

Signs of a bite

The bites of almost all insects cause similar symptoms, but by external signs you can still find out which insect stung you, and also distinguish the bite from an allergic reaction to food or the result of touching a plant that causes burns.

Thus, with the bites of bees, hornets or wasps, more noticeable and painful swelling is formed than with mosquito bites. In this case, a sting may remain in the center of the swelling. The midge usually leaves as a souvenir of itself not a swelling, but a bruise, and horse flies and gadflies - large noticeable swelling, accompanied by almost unbearable itching.

The site of tick suction is usually no different in appearance from the bites of other insects. However, if the tick was a carrier of Lyme disease (borreliosis), after 5-7 days the bite takes on a characteristic appearance, allowing one to draw a conclusion about infection. At the site of tick suction, a large round or oval red spot forms, gradually enlarging and taking the form of a wide ring with a painful swelling in the center. This is a ring-shaped erythema, indicating the initial stage of tick-borne borreliosis.

The bites of “domestic” insects (bugs, fleas) are noticeably different from those of mosquitoes or bees. Flea bites appear as numerous red dots; red, itchy bumps appear at the sites of bedbug bites, often with a vesicle in the center. In this case, the tubercles are located in the form of a kind of “path”.

A tumor as a normal reaction of the body to a bite

If your leg, arm or cheek is slightly swollen from an insect bite, then before you panic and talk about a “terrible allergy”, you should take into account that minor swelling and swelling is a completely normal reaction of a healthy body to foreign biologically active substances entering it.

The venom of most stinging insects (and poisonous spiders) contains a group of substances that cause the destruction of cells and the leakage of their contents into the intercellular space. The affected person’s body regards the insect’s toxins and the contents of damaged cells as substances dangerous to it and attacks them. In addition, their presence in the intercellular space is harmful and can lead to metabolic disorders in tissues.

The venom of hornets, wasps and some spiders, among other things, also causes destruction of the walls of small blood vessels, which often leads to subcutaneous bleeding, and in especially dangerous cases (with massive bites) – to internal bleeding.

The photo shows a tumor after a hornet bite:

Blood begins to actively flow into the damaged area, and in addition to this, the volume of intercellular fluid increases. Under such conditions, it is easier for the body to mobilize its resources to neutralize the poison.

So, minor swelling or edema as a result of an attack by some arthropod is the norm, so there is no need to worry too much in such cases. It’s another matter when, from an insect bite, the entire or significant part of a leg, arm, face is swollen, or the swelling begins to spread throughout the body.

This is already an excessive reaction, often a sign of the development of a dangerous allergy. Such tumors and edema, of course, should be dealt with as soon as possible.

Typical symptoms that appear after arthropod attacks include the following:

• redness - a red spot after an insect bite can be a response to both generally harmless mosquito bites and a reaction to a scorpion sting;
• swelling at the site of the bite, the size of which varies depending on the aggressiveness of the substances that have got under the skin (“blisters” from insect bites such as fleas or bedbugs are usually 0.5-2 cm in diameter, and the bump after an encounter with a hornet can spread into in the end for all 10-15 cm);
• thickening of the tissue at the site of the bite is a harmless symptom, but sometimes lasts for several weeks;
• pain - as a rule, is felt immediately after the bite and in the first hours after it, and then smoothly turns into itching;
• a bruise at the site of the bite, resulting from local hemorrhage (especially characteristic of attacks by hornets, tarantulas, and water bugs).

Often, at the site of the bite, the victim’s temperature rises and a burning sensation is felt - this is also normal. The alarm should be sounded when a general and strong increase in body temperature occurs - this is already a signal that the process is becoming generalized, and the patient may need to be hospitalized.

Speaking about possible consequences, we should not forget that in the same person, an insect bite of the same species can cause different degrees and patterns of symptoms. This largely depends on where the bite occurred. For example, an insect bite on the eyelid sometimes leads to complete swelling of half the face and the closing of the eye, while at the same time a lump on the back or wrist will cause much less unpleasant consequences.

Treatment of insect bites

Signs of a severe allergic reaction require immediate medical attention:

• severe swelling at the site of the bite
• swelling that occurs far from the bite site - on the joints of the arms and legs, face, neck
• appearance of a rash
• difficulty breathing
• dizziness, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure

Most often, allergies are noted to the stings of bees, hornets, and wasps. Their poison can cause the most severe reactions, including sudden death.

Sometimes insects (usually bees or wasps) enter the mouth unnoticed along with fruits and berries and sting the tongue or lip. Such bites are very painful, causing severe swelling and even suffocation. In this case, you cannot do without a doctor’s examination, as in the case of an insect bite in the eye - damage to the eyelid or eyeball can lead to temporary loss of vision.

If a child is injured by a bee, wasp or hornet sting, he must be taken to the hospital - the reaction of the child’s body may not occur immediately, but after some time and be very unpredictable

You should definitely see a doctor if you are bitten by a tick. In this case, you must try to carefully remove the attached insect and take it to the laboratory for analysis.

If you have reason to believe that your health is not in danger, you can relieve the unpleasant consequences of bites - itching, pain, swelling and redness - with the help of a home first aid kit.

First of all, remove the insect sting if it remains in the wound. To relieve inflammation, apply ice or a cold compress. You can make a lotion with a solution of baking soda. You can get rid of itching using antihistamine gels or lotions made from strong black or green tea. Under no circumstances should you scratch the bite sites, even if the itching cannot be completely relieved - damaged skin can easily become infected.

External remedies for insect bites

For minor redness and swelling, it is enough to apply ice to the problem area. In other situations, you need to use special gels, creams and ointments. Such external remedies after bites have an anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effect. They are used to eliminate negative signs after damage to the epidermis and toxin entering its structure.

For moderate swelling and hyperemia, you can use over-the-counter medications. The antihistamine composition in the form of an ointment is applied directly to the wound. Antipruritic medications should be applied around the problem area.

The most effective drugs:

1. Psilo-balm.
2. Elidel.
3. Calamine.
4. Afloderm.
5. Bepanten.
6. Fenistil.

External products should be used in accordance with the instructions.