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Bug bites can be itchy, painful, annoying, and sometimes dangerous. This page outlines how to treat a bug bite.
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How to Treat Insect Bites & Stings
Reducing pain from an insect bite using backing soda
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Bug bites can be itchy, painful, annoying, and sometimes dangerous. This page outlines how to treat a bug bite.
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Introduction
- An insect will bite or sting when it feels threatened. Some insects bite for biological reasons, such as ticks, which feed on blood, or female mosquitoes which need blood to reproduce. When an insect stings or bites, proteins contained in its venom can produce an allergic reaction in the victim, causing itching, burning, pain and/or swelling. Some insect bites can also transmit dangerous diseases.
Step 1: Identify the Insect
- It's important to tell what type of insect was responsible for the bite, or sting, the person received, so that you can be on the lookout for symptoms of diseases and conditions that are associated with bites from that insect. Although these are not common, if you've been exposed to a bite from one of these insects, you should let your doctor know if you experience any other symptoms.eMedicineHealth: Insect Bites Causes
- Ticks can transmit serious illnesses such as Lyme Disease or brucellosis
- Bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, and fire ants can produce severe allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.
- Mosquitoes can transmit diseases such as malaria, West Nile virus, or eastern equine encephalitis.
- Lice can transmit relapsing fever and typhus.
- Deer fly bites can infect the victim with tularemia.
- Fleas were responsible for the spread of bubonic plague.
- Some arachnids, such as the black widow and brown recluse spider have venom that can cause death, if not treated in time.
Step 2: When a Bug Bite is an Emergency
- Some individuals can have a severe allergic reaction to a bug bite. If the bitten individual experiences any of the following symptoms after being bitten by an insect, they should seek immediate medical care.eMedicineHealth: [http://www.emedicinehealth.com/insect_bites/page2_em.htm Insect Bites Causes}
- Hives appearing on the body, at a different site than that of the sting or biteeMedicineHealth: [http://www.emedicinehealth.com/insect_bites/page2_em.htm Insect Bites Causes}
- Swelling larger than 2 inches in diameter at the site of the bite or stingMayo Clinic: Insect Bites and Stings - First Aid
- WheezingeMedicineHealth: [http://www.emedicinehealth.com/insect_bites/page2_em.htm Insect Bites Causes}
- Shortness of breatheMedicineHealth: [http://www.emedicinehealth.com/insect_bites/page2_em.htm Insect Bites Causes}
- Facial swellingMayo Clinic: Insect Bites and Stings - First Aid
- Abdominal painMayo Clinic: [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-insect-bites/fa00046 Insect Bites and Stings - First Aid}
- ShockMayo Clinic: [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-insect-bites/fa00046 Insect Bites and Stings - First Aid}
- Rapid heartbeatMayo Clinic: [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-insect-bites/fa00046 Insect Bites and Stings - First Aid}
- Dizziness, confusion, or feeling faintMayo Clinic: [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-insect-bites/fa00046 Insect Bites and Stings - First Aid}
- UnconsciousnesseMedicineHealth: [http://www.emedicinehealth.com/insect_bites/page2_em.htm Insect Bites Causes}
Step 3: How to Treat a Bug Bite
- Treatment for simple bug bites involve cleaning the site,removing any parts of the insect that remain at the bite site, and addressing any itching or pain.eMedicineHealth: [http://www.emedicinehealth.com/insect_bites/page2_em.htm Insect Bites Causes} Some ways to treat the itching caused by bug bites are:
- Applying topical anti-itch creams including antihistamines or steroids
- Taking systemic oral antihistamines
- Applying ice to the site of the bite can help relieve pain and swelling, and minimize itching
- Other anti-itch treatments include Caladryl lotion or a paste of baking soda and water.
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