Insect Bites
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Sting or bite from an insect; bees, bumblebees, wasps, hornets, fire ants, yellow jackets, ticks, mosquitoes, chigger bites, etc. Body parts involved are skin on any part of the body, lymph glands in the neck, armpit, groin or elbow.
The stings may cause an allergic reaction, sometimes resulting in death. This reaction is known as an Insect Venom Allergy. The problem is not with an allergy to the insect but with the venom. The victim often doesn’t remember being bitten or stung. Many people fear insect stings, often believing themselves to be dangerously allergic. However, the vast majority of people who are stung will experience no more than a local reaction or at most a mild systemic reaction.
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| Symptoms |
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Generally, the symptoms include:
- Bite, sting or wound
- Coughing
- Difficult breathing, wheezing
- Localized pain, redness, swelling, and itching sensation
- Rash
- Stinger visible in the skin
If bitten or stung by an insect, try to kill it and have it identified. In the case of tick bites, the ticks may carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever or Lyme disease. Just as mosquitoes carry malaria.
Medical history and physical exam by a doctor would diagnose the insect bite. If you have no particular allergy to insects, observation is all that's necessary. Otherwise, an allergy skin test is needed, which, if positive, would be followed by allergy shots to
desensitize.
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| Prevention |
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The key to prevention is to be alert when in insect habitats and to minimize contact.
Steps to be taken are:
- Shake out shoes and clothing before putting them on, especially if they have been sitting outdoors. Unzip and shake out sleeping bags before climbing into them.
- Sleep enclosed in a mosquito net if you're in an area where mosquitoes or wasps are especially numerous or persistent.
- Wear shoes at all times - especially after dark, when insects are likely to be around.
- Spray pyrethrin or a similar insecticide in your bedroom before going to bed.
- After identifying the cause, remove it if possible. Treat animals for fleas and exterminate the house or kennel.
- If you cannot avoid exposure, apply insect repellents with diethyltoluamide (DEET).
- Wear protective clothing (long sleeves and long pants in areas of risk, gloves for yard work).
Coating your skin with mud also acts as a repellent. To avoid insect stings, wear plain, light-colored clothing; avoid wearing anything that is flowered or dark. Don't wear perfume, suntan lotion, hair spray or shiny jewelry. Avoid wearing sandals or loose-fitting clothes.
The majority of insect stings are not caused by bees but by yellow jackets. If bees are a concern, there are a number of different types of flowers that are not attractive to bees and if planted will help to reduce the number of bees in and around garden areas.
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| Causes |
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Risk increases with
- Areas with heavy insect infestations
- Warm weather in spring and summer
- Lack of protective measures
- Perfumes colognes
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| Diagnosis |
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Most people are not allergic to insect stings and most insect stings result in only local itching and swelling. Many, however, will have severe allergic reactions. Most insect sting reactions are not allergic and result in local pain, itching, swelling and redness at the site of the sting. Some extension of the swelling is expected.
The most serious reaction to an insect bite is the allergic reaction. The allergic reaction to insect sting varies from person to person. Severe reactions are suspected if a person experiences hives and intense itching at sites other than the sting site. Difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness, labored breathing, weakness, confusion, severe swelling, and feeling of panic can result due to an allergic reaction. A more severe reaction results in the closing of the airway and/or shock (cyanosis and a drop in blood pressure), producing unconsciousness. These types of reactions usually occur within minutes of the sting, but have been known to be delayed for up to 24 hours. Prompt treatment is essential and emergency help is often needed.
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| Dietary Guidelines |
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Drink plenty of water.
Avoid meats and sweets for faster healing.
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| Home Care Suggestions |
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To take down swelling, apply raw onion slice, or lemon juice or vinegar. Apply, cold or ice pack compresses. |
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| Mind/Body Considerations |
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Avoid flowery scents flowery scents and perfumes to escape bees, they think you’re flowers. |
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