Blog
Komar, tick or flea? How to avoid, identify and treat insect bites this summer
Jun
When the weather warms up, few of us can resist a nice evening walk through the park or a trip to the countryside to immerse ourselves in a natural environment.
Summer can be wonderful, but too often we are often forced to share these picturesque moments with unwanted companions. Insects such as mosquitoes, bees, ticks, spiders and fleas can change the perfect day in an annoying and even disturbing experience.
He often notices sudden itching or a mysterious rash when they return home after a summer exit, but a kind of itching, its intensity and appearance tell us a lot about what type of insect bite us. These tips can tell us how to alleviate the symptoms and whether they justify a journey to the health center.
By taking the right steps, with the right information, we can avoid health -free terror, unnecessary visits to the doctor, and even medical complications.
The most common bites
Although there are undeniable similarities between the majority of insect bites and stings, there are also differences. In fact, everyone has their own features, specific symptoms and specific treatment.
Here are the keys to distinguish between six of the most common:
1. Mosquitoes
-
Symptoms: redness, subtle swelling and intense itching. Mosquito bite usually disappears after three days, without complications.
Recommendations: Wash the area with soap and water and apply cool presses and local antihistamines in the event of intensive itch.
2. Bees and wasps
-
Symptoms: immediate pain, lithe swelling, intense stinging. The bees leave the sting behind, but the wasps are not.
Recommendations: Remove the sting (if necessary), apply ice, take oral antihistamines in the case of a located reaction and watch out for Signs of an allergic reaction.
3. Ticks
Alexey Androsov/Shutterstock
-
Symptoms: Strange in ticks is that their bites may be unnoticed. The tip is that when it falls, it leaves a miniature red -shaped sign.
Recommendations: Remove with tweezers, being careful not to turn or squeeze the body of the insect. Disinfect and monitor the fever or rash in the following days.
4. Flea
-
Symptoms: miniature red spots, usually in nodules or clusters, with intensive itching. They are usually found on cubes, legs or areas where the clothes are tight. The rash may take several days and there may be a risk superinfection If it exaggerates excessively.
Recommendations: wash the area with soap and water and operate local and oral antihistamines if itching is weighty. You should also check the animals and household textiles, because they are often the source of these insects.
5. Glysy
-
Symptoms: Many cluster bites that are intensely itchy, especially at night.
Recommendations: Wash the area and apply local antihistamines. Check the environment and take funds to eliminate the presence of beds from home.
6. Spiders
-
Symptoms: Located pain and redness, sometimes with two observable spots from Kla Spider.
Recommendations: wash with soap and water and apply cool. Consult a healthcare employee in the case of necrosisfever or malaise.
Read more: Deadly spiders in Europe: How would we worry?
When should you worry?
Usually, each of the above -mentioned stings is nothing more than a elementary irritation that disappears after a few days. However, the bite can also cause more earnest health problems.
Here are the three most earnest complications from insect bites, along with the action that should be taken:
-
Raw allergic reaction (anaphylaxis): A noticeable difficulty of breathing, swelling of the lips and eyelids, dizziness and loss of consciousness.
Answer: Call an ambulance. If the victim has Epipene (AUTO INWWWECTOR ADRENALALY In the treatment of severe allergic reactions), operate it.
-
Infection: Progressive redness of the affected area, located heat and oil and potentially fever.
Answer: Consult a healthcare employee. Antibiotic treatment may be required.
-
Diseases transmitted by ticks Such as Lyme disease: red, a rash in the shape of a target on the skin, fever and muscle and joint pain, all appearing a few days after biting.
Answer: Contact a healthcare employee.
Feellators: What actually works?
The best way to avoid the consequences of biting insects is to avoid biting. One of the most effective ways to do this is the operate of approved repellents containing DEET (dietyltolumid) or ikaridin.
Various products These compounds can be found in pharmacies and on the shelves in supermarkets. The choice may seem overwhelming, but the key is simply to look at the label.
In particular, we want to look at the deterrent. The main things to look for are Deet and Icaridin, common energetic ingredients used to repel insects, such as mosquitoes, ticks and other insects that transfer diseases.
But which one is more effective? Are they lasting so long? Are they equally effective in various environments? To make a conscious choice, let’s take a closer look at each of them:
-
Deet It is the most commonly used and scientifically repellent studied and has been used since the 1950s. He is considered one of the most effective against mosquitoes, glue and flies.
How long it lasts depends on its concentration. For example, if the label says 30% DEET, its effects can last about 6 hours.
In terms of safety, repeaters containing DEET do not pose a threat to health if they are used correctly. However, they can irritate the skin or damage clothing made of synthetic fabrics.
-
Icaridin It is a more state-of-the-art alternative to DEET and is equally effective in similar concentrations. The deterrent containing 20% Icaridin is equivalent during the deterrent to 30% DEET.
It differs from Deet in that it is less smelly, less fat and more warm for skin and materials. It is also effective against mosquitoes and Kleszków and lasts from 6 to 8 hours.
Because it is milder on the skin, Icaridin is a better option for children or people with sensitive skin.
In areas with a high risk of diseases such as dengue, malaria and zika, both compounds are useful. However, you need to make sure they are sturdy enough – at least 30% DEET or 20% Ikaridin.
Read more: How do mosquito repeaters work? The chemistry expert explains
Other ways of maintaining security
In addition to repelling agents, physical agents include the operate of protective clothing, especially in rural areas or areas with high vegetation. It is also good to install mosquito networks and avoid water stagnation.
Another good habit is to check your body thoroughly when you get home after a walk around the village. This is due to the fact that ticks can hide in areas such as giga, armpits and even behind the ears.
If you know that you are allergic to a specific bite of insects, you should always carry Epipen with you.
Being the target of these insects is not unique. In fact, stings and bites are very common, especially in spring and summer. We cannot avoid them completely, so the key is to know how to identify bites, operate proper care and when to look for medical advice or attention.
Conscious action can be the difference between a elementary, itchy nuisance and a earnest medical situation.
