Facts About Bug Bites

Bug and insect bites causes itching, redness, swelling and sometimes irritation. Usually, the insect and/or bug bites are not harmful and can be treated at home. Yet, there are cases that bites of insects and bugs become detrimental to health due to allergic reactions of the body towards them. Bites of mosquitoes, wasps, and bees often result to swelling.

Insect bites oftentimes do not cause harm, but insect stings do. Insects like honey bees sting people because they feel that they are in danger and they die after stinging. But they leave their stinger and venom wasp on the skin of the victim that causes the venom to spread in the blood stream causing itch and swelling and most of the time redness. However, other species of insects like wasps, don't leave their stingers on the skin, hence, their victim has greater chances of being sting repeatedly by the insect. Stings can cause the whole body of the person who is allergic to them to swell.

The bites of the insects with no venom is not dangerous and can only cause irritation and itching. Itching and irritation occur due to the substance they release in their salivary glands while sucking. Unlike the swelling caused by insect sting, bug bite swellings are localized, hence, only the bitten part swells. The swelling is not dangerous and will disappear after few days.

Sting causes swelling and is not harmful. However, people may have allergic reactions towards them and may cause serious problems. If the allergic person is stung in the lips, mouth or eyes, it may cause difficulty in breathing called anaphylaxis. If the entire body swells due to stings it can also cause breathing difficulty and swallowing. Such condition is called angioedema.

For ordinary bug bites, application of soothing gel and ice compress will help in minimizing the inflammation. However, medical attention is really necessary if the symptoms of anaphylaxis occurs. If the patient is slowly losing his consciousness, it is recommended to revive him through mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and loosen the clothes. Also, remove the accessories the person is wearing to avoid the swollen part to get cut.

The best cure for any ailment is prevention. Thus, taking precautions are better than suffering with the discomfort brought by the illness or ailment. To avoid bug bites, make sure your room is free from insects and mosquitoes. Apply insect repellent if necessary to avoid getting bitten by the insects. Remember also to wear clothes that will cover your whole body from head to toe when visiting places that have large number of wasps.