Spot Warning Signs Of Infection
Regardless of the insect, a bite or sting could become infected if youre scratching or picking at the area, because bacteria, such as streptococcus and staphylococcus epidermidis, are commonly found on the skin, Zylberglait explains. If left untreated, infected bug bites could lead to a deeper, more dangerous skin infection called cellulitis, which requires treatment with antibiotics. You should see your doctor as soon as possible if you have symptoms of cellulitis, such as:
- An area thats warm or painful to the touch
Common Insects And Spiders
Insects that cause mild reactions include:
Some insects are more likely than others to cause allergic or toxic reactions.
- A bee leaves its stinger behind and then dies after stinging. Africanized honeybees, the so-called killer bees, are more aggressive than common honeybees and often attack together in great numbers. Reaction to bee stings can range from minor skin swelling and redness to a serious allergic reaction.
- Wasps, including hornets and yellow jackets, can sting over and over. Yellow jackets cause the greatest number of allergic reactions.
- A fire ant attaches to a person by biting with its jaws. Then, pivoting its head, it stings from its abdomen in a circular pattern at multiple sites.
What Can I Do To Prevent Spider Bites In Children
Children can wear protective clothing when theyre playing where spiders live. These include long-sleeved shirts and pants. If you can, remove tall grass, leaves, and logs from outdoor play areas.
You should also keep your childs tetanus shots up-to-date. Spider bites can get infected with tetanus.
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Signs Your Bug Bite Is Something Serious
Chest pains? Get to the doctor ASAP.
Summer is most peoples favorite season for a reason: Its days are packed with backyard barbecues, pool parties, and long days at the beach. But while the dog days provide sunshine and sangria, they also contain a nuisance found not during the rest of the year: bugs. And its not just that theyre annoying, either unfortunately, many of these irritating insects also have the potential to cause serious harm, thanks to their venom and the diseases they carry.
So if we cant avoid bugs altogether, then what is there to be done to prevent a trip to the hospital? Well, for starters, memorize the signs weve compiled here that a bug bite is doing some serious damage to your body. And once you read up on the warning signs to look out for, partake in one of the 20 Summer Hobbies That Will Change Your Life.
Symptoms Of Insect Bites And Stings
An insect bite or sting often causes a small lump to develop, which is usually very itchy.
A small hole, or the sting itself, may also be visible. The lump may have an inflamed area around it that may be filled with fluid. This is called a weal.
Insect bites and stings usually clear up within several hours and can be safely treated at home.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Food Allergies
Allergic symptoms may begin a few minutes to an hour after eating the food. Symptoms can be different for each person. Symptoms may include:
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Lip and mouth swelling and itching
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Tightness in the throat or hoarse voice
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Nausea and vomiting
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Low blood pressure
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Loss of consciousness
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Call911 to get help right away. Severe allergic reactions are treated with epinephrine. If you know you have severe allergies, you should carry an emergency kit with 2 epinephrine autoinjectors.
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Go To The Emergency Room If You Have Difficulty Breathing After Getting Bitten Or Stung
If you experience difficulty breathing after a bug bite or sting, it could be due to a severe allergic reaction, and according to the Mayo Clinic, you should go to the emergency room.
This reaction is particularly common with bee stings.
Difficulty breathing can be a sign that you have gone into anaphylactic shock, and according to WebMD, if you have a known, severe bee-sting allergy you should carry around any prescribed epinephrine injections at all times.
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Treatment For Spider Bites
The type of treatment that your vet will decide on will depend on the species of spider that has bitten your cat.
For any venomous spider, immediate veterinary care is critically important.
Bites from a black widow spider can cause your cats diaphragm to become paralyzed. This means your cat will no longer be able to breathe. Your vet may give an antivenin, intravenous fluids, or muscle relaxants.
Brown recluse and Hobo spider bites can cause the tissue surrounding the bite to die off. This can leave a red wound with a pale ring surrounding it, as well as itchiness and bruising. It can also cause nausea and a fever. Left without treatment, deep tissue injury is likely. Your vet may use an antivenin and prescribe steroids to reduce any damage to tissues or remove dead tissue. Antibiotics may be used to prevent additional infections. It can take up to a month for your cat to recover.
When To Get Medical Advice
Contact your GP or call NHS 111 for advice if:
- youre worried about a bite or sting
- your symptoms do not start to improve within a few days or are getting worse
- youve been stung or bitten in your mouth or throat, or near your eyes
- a large area around the bite becomes red and swollen
- you have symptoms of a wound infection, such as pus or increasing pain, swelling or redness
- you have symptoms of a more widespread infection, such as a high temperature, swollen glands and other flu-like symptoms
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Abrupt Changes In Diet
No matter how quality the food your feeding your dog is, changing it up suddenly can cause serious gastric distress for your pooch.
Abruptly changing from one type or brand of food to another is likely to cause some stomach problems with most dogs and serious diarrhea in those that are more sensitive. If you need to switch your dogs food, you need to do so slowly.
Even the most enthusiastic eaters can get an upset stomach if their diet is changed up too abruptly. Always change your dogs food gradually to give their stomach time to adjust.
The recommended process for gradually switching your dog to a new diet is to slowly increase the ratio of new to old food over the course of about four days.
Day 1: 25% new food mixed with 75% original food
Day 2: 50% new food mixed with 50% original food
Day 3: 74% new food mixed with 25% original food
Day 4: 100% new food
If your dog is especially sensitive, even this schedule may be too abrupt. If thats the case, start with about 10% new food and raise the ratio more gradually over the course of a couple of weeks.
Many dog owners mistakenly blame loose stool on the new food itself, rather than the change in diet. This leads many pet parents to throw out a higher-quality food and return to the original, lower-quality food. The truth is, switching abruptly to any food will cause issues, but switching from one very low in protein to one very high in protein will cause even more issues.
What Are The Stages Of A Brown Recluse Spider Bite
Hours after a bite
- The area of the bite becomes sensitive and red about three to eight hours after the bite.
- The bite site feels like it is burning.
- The bite site changes color. It can have a bullseye look or can bruise and have a blueish color.
Three to 5 days after a bite
- If the spider injected a small amount of venom, immediate discomfort should disappear.
- If the venom spread beyond the bite area, discomfort could continue for several days and an ulcer would appear on the bite site.
Seven to 14 days after a bite
- In severe cases, the skin around the ulcer breaks down and becomes a wound that could take several months to heal completely.
Three weeks after a bite
- The majority of bites will heal after three weeks.
- A thick, black scab will cover the wound.
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Tips On Avoiding Spider Bites
Suggestions to avoid spider bites include:
- Always wear gloves, long trousers and shoes while gardening.
- Wear shoes when walking around in the garden.
- Inspect any suspected spider web or lair with a stick , not your hands.
- Shake out shoes before you put them on.
- Dont leave clothes on the floor if you do, shake them out before you put them on.
- Instruct children not to touch spiders.
- Dont assume that a spider at the bottom of a swimming pool is dead. Some spiders can survive on an air bubble for 24 hours or more.
How Can I Prevent Brown Recluse Spider Bites
There are steps you can take to prevent bites from a brown recluse spider. These include:
- Stop spiders from entering your home by sealing small openings with caulk.
- Remove spider webs from homes.
- Keep firewood at least 20 feet away from your home.
- Wear gloves when moving wood.
- Wear long sleeves and pants in areas with spiders.
- Shake clothing and shoes before wearing.
- Contact a pest control professional if you notice your home has a brown recluse spider infestation.
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What To Do About Spider Bites
- If you suspect a spider has bitten you, try to bring it with you to the doctor so they can determine the best course of treatment based on the species.
- Clean the site of the spider bite well with soap and water.
- Apply a cool compress over the spider bite location .
- If you suspect the bite is from a black widow or brown recluse spider, and the bite is on an extremity, elevate it.
- Consider tying a snug bandage above the bite and elevate the limb to help slow or halt the venom’s spread. Ensure that the bandage is not so tight that it cuts off circulation in your arm or leg.
- Adults can take aspirin or acetaminophen and antihistamines to relieve minor signs and spider bite symptoms .
- Seek medical attention for any severe spider bite symptoms and signs, or if they continue to worsen for more than 24 hours.
What Is The Prognosis For Insect Bite Reactions
Except in rare cases of anaphylactic shock, the prognosis is excellent. Cases that involve tens to hundreds of bee stings merit a more guarded prognosis.
Many pets that demonstrate insect bite hypersensitivity are also hypersensitive to flea and tick bites, pollens and molds, and many foods.
Future insect bites should be avoided because many reactions worsen with repeated exposure to the offending proteins or toxins. You should always tell your veterinarian if your pet has ever experienced an insect bite reaction so that preventive measures can be taken in the future. Many pets that demonstrate insect bite hypersensitivity are also hypersensitive to flea and tick bites, pollens and molds, and many foods. Speak to your veterinarian for information on products that are safe and effective for preventing insect bites in your dog.
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The Hidden Dangers Of Bug Bites
While you may be relishing your time outdoors in the glorious summer, dining al fresco with the family on the patio, picnicking on the beach or just nabbing a burger or a hot dog at a curbside stand, some familiar, pesky critters at the same time may be munching on you.
Bug bites, merely annoying for most of us, can be medically perilous to some who encounter the wrong creepy crawler or experience a severe allergic reaction. When those bites go beyond a bothersome itch, it’s important to know what to look for, how your body may react and if this might be the time to see your doctor.
An Inconvenient Truth
While most bites or stings just cause swelling and a bothersome urge to scratch, more than two million Americans are allergic to stinging insects, which include honeybees, yellow jackets, wasps, hornets and fire ants. Many of these individuals also may experience life-threatening reactions. More than 500,000 Americans visit emergency rooms every year because of insect stings or bites, and reactions to these are known to cause at least 50 deaths per year.
Taking a Bite Out of Confusion
Even if you’re not severely allergic to bug bites or stings, you may want to take a look at these photos from WebMD to help you determine the severity of the nip that annoying insect took of you.
Treating Insect Bites And Stings
Most bites and stings are treated by:
- washing the affected area with soap and water
- placing a cold compress over the area to reduce swelling
Try not to scratch the affected area to avoid infection. If youre in pain or the area is swollen, take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen .
The pain, swelling and itchiness can sometimes last a few days. Ask your pharmacist about over-the-counter treatments that can help, such as creams for itching and antihistamines.
If you have a more serious reaction, your GP may prescribe other medication or refer you to an allergy clinic for specialist assessment and treatment.
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What Are Mosquito Bites
A mosquito bite is a red, itchy bump you get when a mosquito bites your skin and itâs spit gets into your blood. Saliva from a mosquito triggers an allergic reaction that causes the area of the bite to become red, itchy, and swollen.
Only female mosquitoes bite. Warm temperatures, light, body odor, and sweat are some things that make you a mosquito target.
Most people have had mosquito bites at some time in their life. Usually, you swat a mosquito away and cope with the unpleasant but temporary itch. But some mosquito bites can spread viruses and cause serious diseases.
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Nausea And Cramps Can Mean A Number Of Worrying Things After A Bug Bite
According to the Mayo Clinic, vomiting and body aches can be symptoms of the West Nile virus. Not everyone who contracts the diseases shows symptoms, but you may want to seek immediate medical attention if your reaction to a bite includes things like a high fever, severe headaches, or muscle weakness.
According to WebMD, severe abdominal cramping can also be a sign of a black-widow bite. If you think you could’ve been bitten by a black-widow spider, you may want to see a doctor to review if treatment is necessary.
That said, per WebMD, black-widow bites can be dangerous for young children so if you suspect a child has been bit by one, help them seek out immediate medical attention.
In addition, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain can be symptoms of anaphylactic shock, according to WebMD. If you suspect this may be the case with your bite, seek out immediate medical attention.
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How Serious Is A Spider Bite
Most spiders are harmless and rarely bite people. All spiders make venom , but most spiders fangs are too small to puncture human skin.
Spiders are arachnids . Theyre in the same class as scorpions, mites and ticks. All of these arachnids have eight legs. Spiders perform a vital function by eating insects that can destroy crops.
How Can I Prevent My Dog From Getting Spider Bites
Its important for pup parents to understand that all dogs are susceptible to being bitten by these pesky arachnids and can develop severe reactions. Betterpet warns that older dogs and dogs with elevated blood pressure, however, may have worse symptoms and outcomes due to weakened immune systems.
The most effective way to prevent dangerous spider bites, betterpet urges, is to clean out any areas of your home or property where spiders and other insects could be hiding. Dog owners may want to consider not leaving their pup unattended in these areas, like basements, garden sheds, or crawl spaces.
Any health or medical information in ElleVet blogs is from a variety of public and reputable sources. This information is intended as an educational resource only and is not a substitute for expert professional care.
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When The Bugs Bite When The Bees Sting
Once you identify the type of bug bite you need to determine the best way to treat the bite. For some, that might mean seeking out medical attention depending on the severity and type of symptoms. Heres everything experts want you to keep in mind about these types of bitesincluding when you shouldnt brush them off.
Diagnosis Of A Brown Recluse Spider Bite
If you see you a spider bite you, save the spider if possible for later identification.
According to the University of California, Davis, many more common types of spider or insect bites are misdiagnosed as brown recluse bites, so if there are multiple lesions on one person at the same time, especially if the lesions are on widely separated parts of the body, or multiple episodes of lesions or multiple people in the same house or facility showing skin lesions at the same time, it’s likely not a brown recluse spider bite. Staph infections like MRSA are also commonly misdiagnosed as bites because of the telltale necrotic flesh caused by the venom.
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