Any person has encountered blisters on the skin of unknown origin in their life. Most often, their appearance is attributed to insect bites, especially in the summer, since it is difficult to find relief from mosquitoes. But parasites are not always the root cause. Especially if the warm season is left behind.
Children are more likely to develop unexpected skin rashes. This is caused by both incompletely formed immunity and a more sensitive epidermis.
- 3.1 Allergic urticaria
- 4.1 Pharmacy ointments and creams
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.
Signs of complications
The natural reaction of the human body to an insect bite is swelling and redness of the skin. Approximately 80% of people who are bitten experience itching, burning or even pain where the venom or saliva enters the body. In 45% of cases, an allergy to insect bites may develop, which is manifested by the following symptoms:
- redness and itching of the skin far from the bite site;
- rashes on the body, urticaria;
- dizziness;
- confusion;
- difficulty breathing;
- swelling of the soft tissues of the nasal cavity, pharynx and mouth;
- loss of consciousness;
- feverish conditions;
- increase in body temperature to low-grade levels;
- pain or tightness in the chest.
The appearance of any of the above symptoms should be a signal to immediately contact emergency medical care, because with further aggravation of the symptomatic manifestations of an allergic reaction, a person may experience anaphylactic shock.
In addition, a seemingly ordinary tumor after an insect bite can develop into a purulent inflammation of the subcutaneous fatty tissue, to prevent which it is enough to treat the wound with a disinfectant.
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!
Allergy to mosquitoes: causes and development
During a bite, the insect pierces the upper layer of skin with a sharp proboscis nose, injecting a special anesthetic poison - an anticoagulant that prevents blood clotting. In this case, a person may feel a slight prick or not pay attention to it at all. Bites are mainly concentrated on areas of the body with thin skin.
In a normal situation, the immune system reacts to a mosquito bite with slight redness and itching. However, if a person has a tendency to allergic reactions, culicidosis may develop - this is the second name for an allergy to mosquito bites. Culicidosis is a response of the immune system to protein compounds contained in the poison.
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.
Why is it dangerous? Nothing - if you are “grabbed” by one ant. If there is a lot, it is better to consult a doctor.
What to do? Neutralize the acid with a solution of soda; if you don’t have it on hand, simply moisten it with saliva. You can apply ice at home.
Protection from insect bites. Keep your children away from anthills; repellents do not work on ants.
External remedies for insect bites
For minor swelling and mild redness, it is enough to apply a piece of ice to the bite site, but in other cases it is necessary to use ointments, creams or gels after insect bites. Before choosing a specific dosage form, you need to understand how they differ from each other. Almost all antihistamine or anti-inflammatory ointments that are used to eliminate symptoms after an insect bite contain the same active ingredients. The only difference is how quickly the product is absorbed into the skin. Ointment is absorbed the slowest, cream is a little faster, and gels are absorbed in just a couple of minutes.
For moderate hyperemia and swelling, severe itching, you should use antihistamines, which are available without a doctor's prescription. With their help, you can quickly get rid of these symptoms. Antihistamine ointment for insect bites should be applied directly to the wound. The situation is somewhat different with ointments and gels for itching, which contain menthol. They should be applied only to the skin around the wound. Such remedies do not treat insect bites, swelling and itching, they only have a distracting effect.
The following external medications are considered the most popular:
- gel "Fenistil";
- gel “Psilo-balm”;
- cream or ointment "Bepanten";
- Afloderm cream or ointment;
- calamine lotion;
- Elidel cream.
Appearance and symptoms of a mosquito bite
To correctly differentiate marks on the body that resemble a mosquito bite, you need to know exactly how a mosquito bites.
Insects attack more often in the evening or at night. They like to settle near bodies of water and in damp, cool places, such as basements. Mosquitoes bite mainly on open areas on the body, or where the tissue is very thin. After the insect's proboscis penetrates the skin, it injects some of its saliva.
The reaction to a foreign protein manifests itself instantly: a slight hyperemic swelling and a dense papule with a wound in the middle appear. The bite site is usually very itchy, which increases the risk of infection when scratching the pimple.
Cabbage as a remedy for insect bites
Cabbage leaves are popularly considered to be the most effective remedy for reducing swelling from insect bites. They are used as follows: take a thin part of the sheet and immerse it in hot water for a few seconds to soften it a little. After this, apply it to the area of skin exposed to insects, cover it with a film and secure it with a cloth. This compress will allow you to get rid of severe swelling and pain from stinging insect bites in just one night.
Cabbage ointment also has a good effect against insect bites with suppuration. To prepare it you will need a quarter of a head of cabbage (fresh), a bunch of parsley and about 50 g of pork fat. The cabbage should be chopped to a puree, the parsley should be chopped and the juice should be squeezed out of it. Mix the resulting ingredients with the fat and mix well. It is better to store this product in the refrigerator. You need to apply the ointment twice a day to the insect bite, the swelling will subside in about a day, and the itching or pain will go away even faster.
Causes of a mosquito-like rash
When pimples appear, mosquito bites make you itch, which is not always possible to understand. To do this, you need to compare the rash with the usual mosquito and identify inconsistencies.
The problem may lie in:
- Damage to tissues by various blood-sucking insects.
- Allergic reaction to food.
- Prickly heat.
- Infectious pathologies.
- Allergic urticaria.
- Vascular diseases.
- Development of meningococcal sepsis.
Insect bites
When pimples appear as if from a mosquito bite and itch , the cause may be damage to the skin by various insects. This includes bites from ants, bedbugs, ticks, and fleas. Symptoms and intensity may vary slightly depending on the type of parasite, but the following is typical for all:
- The presence of itching, burning, and sometimes pain.
- The appearance of swelling.
- The appearance of hyperemia, subsequently peeling.
When, when attacked by insects, pimples itch red, like a mosquito bite, a slight increase in temperature may be noted, but this is not a necessary phenomenon.
In case of a severe allergic reaction, if breathing becomes difficult, you should immediately call an ambulance.
Nutritional atopy
Sometimes food allergies resemble mosquito bites .
It can occur with any product and in severe situations can even lead to anaphylactic shock. A distinctive feature of atopy is that pimples appear even under thick clothing and can merge. A food allergy on the skin like the mosquito bites in the photo can subsequently change color, shape, and size. Atopy appears suddenly after ingesting an allergen. If you take an antihistamine, the symptoms decrease. Patients also complain of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and sometimes an increase in temperature.
Prickly heat
Spots on the body similar to mosquito bites may appear due to non-compliance with the thermal regime. Miliaria is more common in infants and is observed in the form of a small rash on the neck, forehead, back, and chest. In severe cases, blisters and purulent rashes form. In this case, the pimples look like mosquito bites .
A distinctive feature is the increase in temperature.
Infectious pathologies
When acne appears, like the skin itches after a mosquito bite, the reason may lie in a number of infectious pathologies:
- Measles. When the virus enters the body, catarrhal manifestations and rashes are observed throughout the body. Subsequently, the spots turn brown. During the incubation period, the temperature may rise significantly.
- Chickenpox. Most often diagnosed in childhood. The rash appears gradually and resembles blisters. There is a clear liquid inside the pimple; if it bursts, it will leave a scar for life. Usually the pathology is mild, but may be accompanied by fever, weakness, and conjunctivitis.
- Rubella. Red rashes have a bump in the middle. The disease progresses with catarrhal symptoms: rhinitis, conjunctivitis, redness of the throat.
- Scarlet fever. The disease occurs with fever, sore throat, and red rashes.
- Molluscum contagiosum. The rash looks like small bumps with a white center inside. They can stay on the skin for a long time without causing any discomfort and are able to go away on their own.
- Roseola. It is characterized by an increase in temperature and the appearance of a pink, raised rash. Papules usually do not bother you and go away on their own in 3-4 days.
Allergic urticaria
It occurs against the background of an allergic reaction to household chemicals, dust, pet hair, and clothing. The rash resembles pink blisters, similar to burns. The patient feels weakness, itching, burning.
Diseases of the blood and blood vessels
Pimples appear in the problem area . In addition, small bluish areas resembling bruises form nearby. Typically, a rash appears when tissue is injured.
Meningococcal sepsis
The patient is concerned about hyperemia and rashes. Symptoms increase rapidly, so immediate medical attention is required. Usually papules are localized on the legs. Over time, they transform into purple subcutaneous spots.
Traditional methods of treating insect bites
Allergies to insect bites, in addition to the use of pharmaceutical drugs, can be eliminated with folk remedies. The most famous and effective plants that will help relieve swelling, itching and inflammation are plantain, elderberry, dandelion, speedwell and many others. In addition, in the last two decades, to eliminate the symptoms of allergy to Hymenoptera bites, food products such as soda and acetic acid have often begun to be used.
You should use folk remedies with caution, since many of them are themselves allergens that can worsen the condition of already affected skin. To protect the victim from complications by providing assistance with insect bites using traditional methods, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the recipes for preparing medicinal compounds and the rules for their use.
Treatment
Treatment directly depends on the cause of the rash. An allergist, dermatologist, pediatrician, or therapist can determine the nature of the pathology.
- Acyclovir and Solcoseryl can be used in the treatment of viral diseases.
- For allergies, take Suprastin, Tavegil.
- Dermatitis is treated with Fenistil and Exoderil.
To reduce itching, the rash can be treated with a solution of soda, chlorhexidine, or brilliant green. Folk methods can also be used in the form of baths and lotions with chamomile, celandine, and calendula. To relieve inflammation and burning, apply raw potatoes to pimples.
In some cases, home treatment only worsens the condition. If you have pimples, especially those that appear suddenly, you should immediately consult a doctor. If the rash is due to an allergy, like the mosquito bites in the photo , then to achieve the effect of treatment, complete exclusion of the provoking substance is required, otherwise anaphylactic shock and suffocation may develop.
Mosquito bite
A mosquito bite looks like a reddened subcutaneous blister that is very itchy. As a rule, no special measures need to be taken, except to apply a soothing ointment to the bite site.
It is better not to scratch mosquito bites
But if after a bite you suddenly feel fever, joint pain or swollen lymph nodes, you should consult a doctor - there may be an infection in the blood. After all, mosquitoes are recognized as the most dangerous modern transporter of viruses throughout the world.
Prickly heat
Miliaria occurs most often in infancy, if the child is tightly wrapped, but it also occurs in older children. Rashes can appear all over the body: back, chest, neck, groin, face. In more severe forms, blisters appear, like after a mosquito bite, and the skin begins to itch.
A distinctive feature of the rash from prickly heat is an increase in temperature, which quickly subsides if the child is undressed.
Adults suffer much less often from such manifestations of thermal disturbances.
Allergic urticaria
Urticaria got its name because the skin reaction resembles a burn from contact with nettles - a rash and blisters appear, and the affected area itches. It occurs as a reaction from contact with an irritant, which can be household chemicals, medicinal ointments, cosmetics, dust, or animal hair. An intensified reaction, the appearance of blisters, and severe itching increase with repeated contact with the allergen.
In some cases, hives appear when the skin is exposed to sunlight or low temperature.
It is not difficult to figure out what exactly affects the body in this case, since the signs appear quickly. They go away in a short time without additional medications, it is enough just to eliminate the allergen.
Flea bite
These bites cause severe itching. Typically, flea bites appear in groups of 3-4 dots and resemble small red blisters.
Stay away from animals that may carry fleas
First of all, they must be washed with soap and water. Then you need to lubricate the bites with zinc cream or other itching agent. The main thing is not to scratch the bites to avoid infection.
Bedbug bite
Bedbug bites look different. Some may not notice them at all, while others experience a severe allergic reaction, accompanied by itching and pain.
Bedbugs most often live in damp buildings and old furniture
In addition to skin lesions, typical symptoms of bedbug bites include pain, itching, dermatitis, and for allergy sufferers, swelling and even blisters.
The main enemy of bedbugs is hygiene. Therefore, first of all, wash with soap, paying special attention to the bite areas. In extreme cases, you may need an anti-inflammatory or antihistamine.
Spider bite
With the exception of a few species (such as the black widow and karakurt), most spider bites are harmless and completely non-venomous. A characteristic sign of such a bite is two dots framed by a circle.
The main thing is to panic when you see a spider on your body. Almost all of them are non-poisonous
If you are bitten by a spider, first wash the bite area with soap and water. Then apply ice and take pain medication if necessary. If the bite is very swollen, take an antihistamine.
If you experience more severe symptoms or have reason to suspect that the spider was poisonous, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Save yourself, who can!
Mosquitoes, midges, horseflies
The bites of all these insects are not dangerous, but they are not very pleasant: the skin turns red, swelling occurs at the site of the bite and itches very much. But you just can’t scratch it: if you injure the bite site, a “gateway” for infection will appear, and a banal mosquito bite can end in suppuration.
Repellents help drive away annoying blood-sucking creatures: there are those that are applied to the skin, and there are “remote” ones - cardboard “tablets” and spirals that release repellent substances when heated and ignited. Although all manufacturers claim that this chemical is harmless, you should not get carried away with it. And leaving such tablets active all night is even more so. For example, the smell of all kinds of “anti-mosquitoes” can give you a headache. What a dream this is!
You can use folk remedies: geranium (you can rub the leaf to enhance the aroma), cloves, and clove oil to repel flies and mosquitoes. You can also try a tomato plant - its leaves have the same specific smell as ripe tomatoes, but much more intense.
Fresh basil, both green and purple, also drives away mosquitoes. So a bunch of greenery taken on a picnic can have double benefits.
By the way, you can also lubricate open areas of the skin with clove oil - this is in any case better and healthier than splashing yourself with obviously non-ecological aerosols and smearing yourself with creams.
If you do get bitten
- Do not scratch the bite area. To relieve inflammation and relieve itching, anoint the bite site with any antiseptic - alcohol, vodka, cologne.
- Cool and soothe the skin with a solution of vinegar and ammonia (20 ml per half glass of water). If not, you can use a solution of baking soda or even just ice-cold mineral water from the refrigerator.
- Natural anti-inflammatory agents at hand are also suitable - you can grind and apply a leaf of calendula, aloe, or plantain to the site of the bite for a short time.
- If you are patient, in most cases the itching goes away after 10-15 minutes. Otherwise, you can take an antihistamine tablet.
Wasps, bees, hornets
It is difficult to protect yourself from the bite of a stray bee or wasp that has flown into the light and attached itself to you: the principle “it will carry it or it will not carry it” rather applies here. Beekeepers know: bees “cannot stand” exposed hair and the smell of sweat; this must be taken into account if, for example, your neighbors in the country have a couple of hives. An iron rule: if a bee is “interested” in you and is circling annoyingly, you cannot wave your arms trying to drive it away. It is better to calmly but quickly go to another room. If a bee gets tangled in the hair, you can try to “knock out” the insect with a click, but there is a high risk of a new attack. And one more secret: a crushed insect attracts fellow insects with its smell, so if you are stung by one bee, you can expect a second attack.
A bee can only bite once: at the tip of its sting there are microscopic “hooks” that get stuck in the skin. As a result, after being stung, the bee loses its sting and dies. A wasp, having bitten, remains with its weapon, so it can bite several times.
Few people have an allergy to wasp and bee venom, but if they do, action must be taken immediately.
If you do get bitten
- Carefully remove the bee sting with tweezers or use your fingernail if it remains in the wound. At its end you can see a yellow “bag” with poison - it must be removed so as not to damage this bag.
- Treat the bite site with an antiseptic, apply a piece of ice or a cold lotion to it.
- Beekeepers recommend that if you are bitten by a bee, drinking a solution of honey: a teaspoon in half a glass of water will help quickly relieve the pain after the bite and relieve swelling. This is advice for those who are not allergic to bee products.
- If you have an allergy (its signs are severe swelling and pain at the site of the bite, weakness, difficulty breathing, swelling of the eyelids, throat or mouth), you should immediately consult a doctor. An injection of an antihistamine may be required. It should be taken into account that in severe cases, angioedema may develop - a person risks suffocation due to swelling of the larynx.
- The available remedies for bee and wasp stings, if there is no allergic reaction, are quite simple - you can crush the leaves of calendula, parsley, plantain, and aloe. It is important not to introduce an infection into the wound. Usually after a few hours the swelling subsides and the pain goes away.
Tick bite
You can bring a tick home after relaxing in nature or walking in the park. Also, these parasites often live on animals (especially dogs) and they can be very dangerous to humans. Ticks carry many infections, in particular they can transmit Crimean hemorrhagic fever and Lyme disease from one person to another.
But ticks are perhaps the most dangerous insect, and you need to carefully monitor the bite mark
If a tick has clung to you, you need to remove it as soon as possible, without resorting to folk remedies such as oil, gasoline and cauterization.
Use tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and gently pull upward. Then wash the bite thoroughly with soap and water.
The tick vector usually takes up to 48 hours to infect you with the virus, so you should always check for ticks after returning from the forest.
Determine which insect bit you from the photo
Bites from representatives of entomofauna differ from each other in their level of danger, symptoms and signs, and principles of first aid. How to determine who bit someone in an apartment or on the street from a photo?
Spider
Those spiders that can be found at home, as a rule, do not pose a danger to children and adults. Their bite looks like a small area of swelling with a dot in the center and redness around it (similar to a red bump or wound). The body of some people may respond with individual hypersensitivity, which manifests itself as an allergic reaction. This is a more serious condition, accompanied by edema and significant hyperemia.
The button spider (also known as the black widow) is considered poisonous to humans. Within a quarter of an hour the following may appear:
- strong pain;
- swelling;
- difficulty breathing;
- nausea and vomiting;
- abdominal pain;
- excessive sweating;
- convulsions;
- fever.
Important! The condition is considered dangerous and requires immediate medical attention. In its absence, death is possible due to respiratory failure or damage to the heart muscle.
Bug
Bed bugs are the most common type of “home” residents who leave their “signs” on the human body at night. There is no trace left immediately after a bedbug bite. The next morning, red dots appear on the skin, accompanied by itching. The bite of these insects can be seen in the photo. Pain at the site of the bug bite and swelling are absent or mild.
It has become known that bed bugs can become carriers of Chagas disease pathogens. This disease is accompanied by:
- fever;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- pain and swelling at the site of the bug bite.
Once bitten by a parasite, symptoms of the disease may appear for several decades.
Flea
Insect bites are quite painful because they do not produce an anesthetic substance like other types of parasites. Flea bites usually appear in the lower extremities. Accompanied by severe itching that cannot be relieved.
After a flea bite, small areas of redness and swelling occur, which turn into extensive hemorrhages on the skin if scratched. A flea can be recognized by its jumping ability. “Catching up” with this type of insect is not so easy. The photo shows massive flea bites.
Mite
This type of insect is well known to lovers of outdoor recreation. Ticks not only cause a lot of inconvenience, but can also be carriers of pathogens of serious diseases. The parasite bites a person, remaining at the scene of the “crime.” This facilitates differential diagnosis. There is no pain during a tick bite because they secrete a special anesthetic.
You can find the insect on the skin in areas where there are soft tissues. We are talking about the groin area, armpit area, neck, abdomen, and the area behind the ears. Swelling and red spots may appear around the body of the tick, which sticks out from the tissues of the human body.
Important! You should get rid of the insect and receive emergency care at the nearest medical facility.
Bees and wasps
Insect bites of these species are considered dangerous for children and adults, especially if they have a serious allergic reaction. Wasp and bee stings can be accompanied by severe pain, swelling, itching, and burning. A red spot appears on the skin, a blister or rash may appear.
A dangerous condition for the patient is an allergic reaction of a local or general type. In the photo you can see the symptoms of an allergy to a bee sting. The signs of a wasp sting are similar.
Lice
This type of parasite is located on the skin where there is thick hair, or in the seams of linen, clothing, and bed. Symptoms of bites are similar to bedbug bites. The disease that lice can cause is called pediculosis. It occurs in the form of a group outbreak, most often appearing in children's groups.
The child begins to itch and complain of pain and discomfort in the scalp area. Upon examination, you can see scratching, inflammation, and small red spots located in groups. Nits are visible on the hair. These are lice eggs that have a round shape and a white-yellow hue.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes can also cause the development of the disease due to their ability to serve as carriers of the pathogen. If there is no allergy to insect bites, a person may notice only minor redness in one or several areas of the skin of the body. Later, these mosquito bites cause severe itching.
Important! When scratching, swelling occurs, bruises and hemorrhages may appear.
In some cases, a child or adult has an allergic reaction to mosquito bites. In this case, the itching becomes painful, swelling spreads to large areas of the body. Local symptoms may be accompanied by general signs of allergies (difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue, eyelids), convulsions. Immediate assistance is required.
Wasp and bee sting
The venom of wasps and bees is not dangerous, although it can cause a painful condition, which can manifest itself in the form of allergies. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor, because the consequences can be very serious.
The main thing is to pull out the sting of wasps and bees to avoid infection!
To relieve swelling, treat the insect bite with vinegar or other available means. Bees often leave a stinger in the skin; if there is one, remove it with tweezers.
Take care of yourself while outdoors, don't forget to use bug spray, and always check your body for bites or bugs after returning home. After all, timely detection of a danger will reduce the risk of possible negative consequences.
We emphasize that self-medication is dangerous to your health. Therefore, consult your doctor before using any medications. If you have already completed the necessary consultations, you can purchase medications at competitive prices in these pharmacies: here, here and here.
Causes of rashes, blisters and swelling similar to mosquito bites
Mosquitoes are not always the culprit for the formation of blisters on the body, even if the rashes itch just like their bites. It is important to learn how to identify differences in order to take the necessary measures in time. You should be alarmed by the appearance of a rash and irritation on the skin of only one family member, since mosquitoes, as a rule, do not choose the “most delicious”; almost everyone is subject to their attacks.
Bites from other insects
First of all, you need to consider the possibility of bites from other insects, after which blisters may also appear. Especially if it happens during the warm months. Parasites can attack people both at home and on the street. Do not mind feasting on the blood of fleas, bedbugs, ticks, and various vile creatures. When in danger, ants will also defend themselves.
At the site of the bite of the gadfly, midge and horsefly, bumps also appear on the body, red or white in the center of a circle of color, which itch. The wound is more painful than after a mosquito attack, and the puncture in the center is slightly larger.
Flea spots remain mainly on the legs, less often higher up the legs. Causes severe itching.
Although bedbug bites itch like mosquito bites, they can be easily distinguished by peculiar chains caused by a series of punctures by one insect.
The tick bites painlessly, but it is in no hurry to leave the victim’s body. Most often, a parasite that has already sucked is discovered. It is better not to try to remove it with improvised means, but to seek medical help. If the tick falls off on its own, a red lump will form at the site of the bite and a burning sensation may occur.
Nutritional atopy
Food allergies are sometimes confused with mosquito bites because the body itches and the rash can appear anywhere. But still there are differences:
- Atopy also appears under clothing, where insects do not have access.
- The spots and bumps differ from each other in size and shape.
- Blisters and redness similar to mosquito bites quickly disappear after taking antihistamines.
Atopy
The most common allergens are chocolate, honey, citrus fruits, and seafood. Observing the body's reaction to the use of these products makes it possible to identify the true culprit.
Attention! In case of severe manifestations of atopy, such as fever, vomiting, difficulty breathing, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor.
