How to relieve swelling after an insect bite

Often we simply do not notice the bite of some insect, sometimes we cry out in pain.

But there may be more tragic consequences from meeting some of them, in the form of serious complications or even death. Therefore, we must always be prepared for unforeseen situations and take appropriate measures if necessary.

Introduction

With the first warming, the life of various insects begins to intensify. And there are many of them, about five million species. The most common species among us are Lepidoptera and Coleoptera in the form of beetles and butterflies. There are also many Hymenoptera: ants, mosquitoes, wasps, bees.

The most dangerous are Hymenoptera ; they cause a lot of inconvenience, suffering, and illness to humans. The mortality rate from their bites is more than 3 times higher than the mortality rate from reptile bites.

Because 30% of the world's population is allergic to proteins of various origins, including those contained in insect venom. When bitten, it easily enters the human body along with poison and saliva.

Insects are carriers of all kinds of microorganisms that cause many dangerous diseases in a bitten person. They are transmitted most of all by blood-sucking insects: fleas, mosquitoes, lice, mosquitoes. You need to learn to distinguish insects from completely harmless, medium danger and high danger.

Plasters

Insect repellent patches differ from other repellents in that they do not come into contact with the skin at all. This product is applied to clothing, has a safe composition and is highly effective. Patches are among the top insect repellents, according to reviews from parents.

Gardex Baby natural protection for clothes

pros

• Safe composition
• Efficiency in urban environments
• Ease of use

Minuses

• Impossibility of re-gluing
• Strong smell
• Ineffective in areas with high mosquito concentrations

From 150 ₽

The Gardex Baby patch can be used from 2 years of age. The design of the patches is made in the form of animals that attract attention. Attaches to clothing and has a natural composition.

Wakodo patch with oil of lemon eucalyptus

pros

• Ease of use
• You can use several stickers at once
• Effective radius 40cm

Minuses

• High price
• Strong smell

From 350 ₽

Wakodo patches have an interesting design and high efficiency. You can glue up to 6 stickers at once. Duration of action – 12 hours.

Why do insects bite?

Every person experiences insect bites to varying degrees. The reaction will always be different, it depends on the individual characteristics of the person and on the type of insect.

While someone can endure multiple bites without harm, for another weakened person, even a single bite can cost their life.

Especially with children after insect bites, you need to be extremely careful. What is dangerous is not the swelling and pain, but the substance that the insect injects. The most serious consequences for humans are possible allergies, the threat of infection, and the transmission of serious diseases.

Almost all insects are insatiable and aggressive, but they attack only in 2 cases:

• for your own saturation;
• defensive purposes.

Prevention measures

In order not to think about treating insect bites, you need to take care of protection in advance. They show the child what dangerous insects look like in the photo - midges, mosquitoes, bees, wasps - and explain the rules of behavior. If there are stinging ones nearby, you should not make sudden movements; if a mosquito lands on your hand, you need to brush it off.

When walking in the forest, especially near water, wear closed clothing. The children's legs are hidden under trousers, their arms are hidden under long sleeves, and the collar of their shirt is raised. Avoid using cosmetics with sweet scents such as soaps and deodorants.

Attention!

Such measures will protect in the forest not only from mosquitoes, but also from more dangerous insects - ticks.

Protecting your premises from mosquitoes

To prevent bloodsuckers from biting sleeping or playing children at home, it is recommended to install mosquito nets on windows and doorways. Insect repellent sprays can be applied not to the skin, but to clothing or the canopy of the stroller. Before putting the child to bed, the room is ventilated, and then a fumigator or ultrasonic repeller is turned on to get rid of uninvited guests.

Symptoms of an insect bite

All bites have consequences, but they are different. Symptoms vary little, but the differences in severity can be significant.

Unpleasant manifestations of bites:

• severe itching;
• irritation;
• redness;
• Seal;
• soreness;
• increased body temperature;
• swelling;
• swelling.

Do not scratch the bite site to avoid inadvertently causing an infection. A particularly unpredictable and very dangerous reaction is an allergy. Death can occur within 15–30 minutes. from anaphylactic shock, if emergency medical care is not provided to the victim.

In addition to local manifestations, there is also a general reaction in the form of:

• loss of consciousness;
• breathing problems or stoppages;
• strong heartbeat;
• drop in blood pressure;
• dizziness.

In case of a moderate form of allergy in the form of swelling, itching, or rash, no special measures need to be taken, but upon arriving home, immediately treat the wound.

First aid for anaphylaxis

In especially severe cases, insect bites can cause a serious allergic reaction – anaphylactic shock. This reaction is scary because it occurs and develops quite quickly - within a few minutes. People who are prone to allergies and asthmatics are most susceptible to anaphylaxis.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis when bitten by spiders or other insects:

• strong and sharp pain at the site of the bite;
• itching of the skin, transmitted to all parts of the body;
• rapid, heavy and difficult breathing, severe shortness of breath;
• pronounced pallor of the skin;
• weakness, sharp decrease in blood pressure;
• loss of consciousness;
• abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting;
• poor circulation in the brain, confusion;
• severe swelling of the mouth, neck and larynx.

All these reactions develop within a few minutes, and as a result of impaired respiratory activity and blood circulation, death can occur from lack of oxygen. Therefore, it is very important to know how to provide first aid to a person with anaphylactic shock. Such actions could save his life.

First aid for anaphylaxis:

1. Immediately call an emergency ambulance by calling 103 or 112.
2. Place the victim in a horizontal position and raise his legs.
3. Cool the bite area.
4. In case of loss of consciousness, it is necessary to monitor the victim’s breathing every two minutes.
5. If breathing is ineffective (in an adult, less than two exhalations per ten seconds, in a child, less than three), cardiopulmonary resuscitation must be performed.
6. Give the victim antihistamines: Suprastin, Tavegil and others.

What insect bites are dangerous?

We often underestimate the dangers of a bite, and then spend years paying for our carelessness. In mid-latitudes, Hymenoptera are especially dangerous: fire and nomadic ants, bumblebees, horseflies, wasps, gadflies, hornets, and bees. They attack not for survival, but for self-defense.

Particularly dangerous:

• malaria mosquitoes - are carriers of malaria;
• mosquitoes - spread leishmaniasis;
• mosquitoes - transmit yellow fever and dengue disease;
• lice - danger in the form of rickettsiosis, typhus;
• rat fleas - plague bacillus;
• fleas - bubonic plague;
• bed bugs - tularemia, viral hepatitis B, plague pathogens, Q-fever;
• cockroaches - worms, dysentery, tuberculosis;
• tsetse fly - infects sleeping sickness;
• flies - lead to dysentery, typhoid, etc.;
• ticks - to incurable Lyme disease;
• The Black Widow spider can even cause death. Here you can read what types of spiders still live in Russia;
• brown recluse spider - completely destroys tissue, healing takes months, and small children and the elderly can even die.

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

After a bite, a tumor appears immediately or after a short period of time, but this is a completely understandable reaction of the body to an irritant. This is how the immune system reacts to dangerous toxins and enzymes injected into the skin by insects. Often this starts the inflammatory process.

Lymph accumulates in soft tissues, causing an increase in their volume. Often a tumor appears even from fairly harmless parasitic creatures: mosquitoes, flies, bedbugs, fleas, etc. When they bite, they inject saliva under the skin, which contains components that inhibit rapid blood clotting.

Then the swelling will be insignificant, and the affected areas will resemble only small swellings. But when a person is stung by a more dangerous insect: a hornet, wasp, bumblebee, bee, bedbug, then the appearance of a tumor will be inevitable, often very impressive.

Specifics of inflammation after an insect bite

If after an insect bite some part of the body is slightly swollen, there is no need to panic prematurely. This is a normal reaction of the body to the penetration of foreign biologically active substances. But if a significant part swells, or the edema has already spread throughout the body, then an unwanted allergic reaction can occur, which must be eliminated immediately.

If you feel only slight discomfort in the form of burning or redness, this is normal. But when the body temperature rises significantly, it means that the process has become generalized, and the patient must be immediately hospitalized.

Specifics of inflammation after a bite in children

If the child’s bite site is only a little red and itchy, and there are no other dangerous symptoms, and the baby is cheerful and cheerful, and you know that the reason for everything is just a mosquito or a fly, you can safely use any available means after bites.

But when the sore spot becomes very red, swollen, there is a fever, vomiting, and the child is lethargic and tearful, immediately call an ambulance.

The main advantages of zinc ointment

The two main components of the product are zinc oxide and petroleum jelly base. The first component allows you to quickly get rid of wounds, and the second softens the skin and makes it more pleasant to the touch. If the wound on the body is wet, and this phenomenon often occurs at the site of a mosquito bite, such that the swelling secretes ichor, then the trace element in the ointment will dry out the epidermis.

In addition to eliminating the consequences of insect bites, zinc ointment helps in everyday life and in other situations, which makes it indispensable, especially for young children. The drug effectively eliminates diaper rash and rashes caused by skin irritation, dermatitis, small sores on the body, inflamed acne, and bedsores.

Moreover, the medication is harmless and completely safe; it does not contain dyes, harmful impurities, carcinogens or allergens. The only point is that you cannot use the drug if you have an individual intolerance to any of the substances in the product and if you have a high zinc content in the body.

The medication also has no side effects; it is approved for use by pregnant and nursing mothers.

When should a tumor be treated?

Such situations often include:

• edema, tumors of an allergic nature;
• in case of secondary infection (when an infection was introduced into the wound);
• tumors affecting the respiratory system.

Now let's take a closer look at when medical attention may be needed:

1. The bite causes swelling in the larynx, tongue, or eye. In the first two cases, suffocation may occur; in the latter, serious damage to the eye is possible.
2. If more than 3 days have passed since the bite and the wound is inflamed, then a secondary infection has occurred.
3. If intoxication occurs: vomiting, dizziness, elevated body temperature, etc.
4. A large abscess has appeared on the affected area - this may be due to tissue damage.
5. A rash and blisters appear, and the swelling quickly spreads further.

It is always better to fight a tumor, especially when bitten by hornets, scorpions, or spiders. Some insects do not die immediately after being bitten, but can continue to harm humans for a long time. But there are also those who die immediately.

We all know which insect dies after being stung; of course, it is a bee. This is the most valuable insect for humanity, and attacks only in exceptional defensive cases.

Systemic therapy

In severe cases, systemic therapy is used:

1. Tablets and injections of potent drugs: hormones, anti-inflammatory and antihistamines, as well as calcium supplements and painkillers.
2. Analgesics - used for severe pain and allergic reactions. Can be taken in tablet form, but intramuscular administration will act faster: Baralgin, Analgin, etc. To enhance and speed up the effect, they are administered intramuscularly.
3. Hormonal drugs are also used: Prednisolone in the form of tablets and injections, drops.
4. Medicines with a calcium base are needed to reduce the sensitivity of the immune system in order to slow down the production of histamine. Usually these drugs are used together with antihistamines to enhance the effect.
5. To eliminate itching, redness, allergic swelling, you will need the following medications: Calcium chloride, Calcium thiosulfate.

Anti-inflammatory drugs

Inflammation can be removed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, these include ointments, creams, and gels. Some of them include glucocorticosteroids, but they are not readily available and are available only by prescription.

Antihistamines

Used for allergies and to relieve itching and swelling, they must be taken as quickly as possible. Especially if you are predisposed to allergies (you should always carry it with you).

All antihistamines are divided into:

• local - these are ointments, gels that are applied to the affected area;
• systemic - tablets, it is advisable to choose 2nd generation drugs, they do not have a sedative effect: Loratadine, Cetirizine, etc.

Hormonal ointment for bites

An effective remedy for a severe allergic reaction is hormonal ointment. The active substance belongs to the group of glucocorticosteroids. Quickly penetrates the blood and stops the pathological process. It has pronounced antipruritic, anti-inflammatory, and decongestant properties.

Hormonal ointments for itching

Important!

The ointment is applied pointwise, in a thin layer. The duration of therapy should not exceed 7 days. Do not use in the presence of open wounds, viral or bacterial infections. Allergy from bites goes away within 1-5 days. At the same time, they take systemic antihistamines - Claritin, Suprastin, El-Cet, Diazolin.

• Advantan. The hormonal drug can be used by children from 6 months. It is produced in the form of ointment, cream, lotion. The active substance is methylprednisolone aceponate. Indications for use are various eczema, dermatitis, allergic reaction of any etymology, accompanied by rashes, redness, itching. Improvement occurs on the first day of therapy. Advantan should be used for no more than 3 days without consulting specialists; if the condition does not improve, you should seek help from specialists. Cost 550 rub.
• Akriderm. Anti-itch ointment for children and adults based on betamethasone. Stops inflammation, allergies, accelerates healing, relieves unpleasant symptoms. Akriderm is applied pointwise in a thin layer. Relief occurs within 5 minutes, redness disappears within a day. Cost from 100 rub.
• Sinaflan. Hormonal ointment contains fluocinolone acetonide. Reduces the production of histamine, stops allergies, eliminates itching, pain, burning, swelling, redness. It is quickly absorbed by tissues and enters the systemic bloodstream. Children are allowed to use from 2 years old, should not be used by pregnant or nursing women. It is recommended to apply Sinaflan in the evening. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight. The price of ointment is from 20 rubles.

On a note!

If the bite itches for a long time and the allergy does not go away, you can use any hormonal ointment. Effective drugs - Elokom, Triaccutane, Elidel, Dermovate, Betamethasone, etc.

Read also:  Do ​​bedbugs live in bedding?

Local treatment

Local treatment is aimed directly at the skin and mucous membranes that have been damaged by an insect bite. Antihistamines - prevent further spread of edema, quickly remove itching and red spots after a bite, and block the production of protein - histamine.

The most effective antihistamines:

• Fenistil;
• Tavegil;
• Suprastin;
• Claritin.

Ointments

Any, even the most effective, ointment can only slightly alleviate the condition of the bitten person. But this is not a 100% guarantee of getting rid of the symptoms that bother you; you should not count on it.

Because all of them have different inherent properties: anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, soothing. They can even prevent an allergic reaction.

You need to know how to choose the right product:

1. You can choose an ointment against various bites: midges, fleas, bedbugs, horseflies, mosquitoes and remove unpleasant sensations.
2. But with poisonous stings: leeches, bees, hornets, centipedes, etc., even a good ointment will not bring relief, but will only relieve the pain a little. In this case, the ointment is used together with other medications to quickly remove intoxication.
3. When a tick bites, an ointment with only an antiseptic effect is needed, but, alas, it is not able to protect against infection with encephalitis or berylliosis.

Particularly effective ointments:

• Hydrocortisone;
• Streptoderm;
• Akriderm;
• Levomekol;
• Advantan;
• Menovazin;
• Fenistil.

Balms

Balms are good to use when providing first aid; they will soothe and cool the skin:

• for adults - Gardex Family, Floresan cream-balm, Mosquitall, OFF, Mommy Care, Dr. Theiss Arnica, etc.;
• for children - “My Sunshine”, Gardex Baby, Akomarin cream against mosquito bites for children.

Antihistamine ointment for bites

The development of an allergic reaction is accompanied by redness, itching, inflammation, and swelling. In this case, it is recommended to use antihistamines to treat insect bites.

The composition contains a substance that reduces the production of histamine. Due to this, allergy symptoms are reduced and skin restoration begins. You can notice the effect on the first day of use. The course of therapy lasts 3-5 days, depending on the type of insect.

Antihistamine ointments for insect bites

Important!

Preparations for insect bites have age restrictions. It is allowed to be used by children after 1 year, but in special cases it is used earlier after consultation with a pediatrician, dermatologist, or allergist. Apply ointment against itching pointwise, in a thin layer. Effective drugs are sold in pharmacies, and you can order them online. Available without a prescription, but specialist advice is required.

Best remedies:

• Fenistil ointment or gel. If you treat the wound in the first minutes after a pest attack, the allergic reaction can be stopped or significantly weakened. If you already have an allergy, apply the drug up to 4 times a day. Fenistil gel based on dimethindene works. The active substance quickly enters the bloodstream and reduces the production of histamine, which provokes the development of an allergic reaction. Helps relieve itching in 5 minutes, other symptoms disappear gradually. Cost 280 rub.
• Psilo-balm. The remedy for itching and insect bites contains menthol in addition to dimethindene. The drug instantly refreshes, eliminates irritation, inflammation, and stops itching. Insect bite gel is applied to problem areas up to 3 times a day. The condition is improving every day. As painful symptoms disappear, the dosage is reduced. Price 350 rub.
• Soventol. Cream after insect bites or ointment is based on bamipin lactate. Treat the affected areas point by point. It is allowed to be used by children from 1 year of age; pregnant and lactating women use it under special supervision. The itching disappears almost immediately after applying the ointment, and the skin recovers within a few days. The price of the ointment is 350 rubles.

To enhance the effect, take antihistamines orally. Anti-bite tablets - El-Cet, Diazolin, Suprastin, Eden, etc. The dosage is selected individually in each case, depending on age, body weight, and severity of symptoms.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine will help relieve swelling after a bite:

• cold compress or ice;
• mash a little and add plantain, a leaf of mint, parsley, dandelion and secure;
• prepare a decoction of Veronica officinalis and make lotions: 1 tbsp. l. herbs for 1 tbsp. boiling water, leave until cool;
• make a decoction of parsley roots: chop 0.5 tbsp. l. roots per 0.5 l. boiling water, boil for 2-3 minutes, cool and take 2 tbsp. l. 3 times a day;
• soda solution: dissolve 1 tsp soda in 5 tbsp. l. boiled water and treat the affected area;
• treat with medical alcohol or vodka in half with water, boric alcohol, calendula;
• “Zvezdochka” balm helps a lot.