Insect Bites or Stings Symptoms And What To Do

Most insect bites are trivial, but some insect bites or stings may cause reactions either locally or in the basic body systems. Local reactions may be uncomfortable but do not pose a serious hazard. In contrast, systemic reactions may occasionally be serious and may require emergency treatment.

There are three types of systemic reactions from insect bites. All insect bites are rare. The most common is an asthma attack, causing difficulty in breathing and perhaps audible wheezing. Hives or extensive skin rashes following insect bites are less serious but indicate that a reaction has occurred and that a more severe reaction might occur if the patient is bitten or stung again. Very rarely, fainting or loss of consciousness may occur after insect bites. If the patient has lost consciousness, you must assume that the collapse is due to an allergic reaction from insect bites. This is an emergency. If the patient has had any of these reactions in the past from insect bites, he or she should be taken immediately to a medical facility if stung or bitten.

Bites from poisonous spiders are rare. The female black widow spider accounts for many of them. This spider is glossy black with a body of approximately one-half inch in diameter, a leg span of about two inches, and a characteristic red hourglass mark on the abdomen. The black widow spider is found in woodpiles, sheds, basements, or outdoor privies. The bite is often painless, and the first sign may be cramping abdominal pain. The abdomen becomes hard and boardlike as the waves of pain become severe. Breathing is difficult and accompanied by grunting. There may be nausea, vomiting, headaches, sweating, twitching,
shaking and tingling sensations of the hand. The bite itself may not be prominent and may be overshadowed by the systemic reaction. Brown recluse spiders, which are slightly smaller than black widows and have a white "violin" pattern on their backs, cause painful bites and serious local reaction but are not as dangerous as black widows.

If the local reaction to an insect bite or sting is severe or a deep sore is developing, a physician should be consulted by telephone. Children frequently have more severe local reactions than adults.
Tick bites are common. The tick lives in tall grass or low shrubs and hops on and off passing mammals, such as dogs. Ticks will commonly be found in the scalp.

Home Treatment And What To Do For Insect Bites And Sting

Apply something cold promptly, such as ice or cold packs for insect bites. Delay in application of cold results in a more severe local reaction. Aspirin or other pain relievers may be used. Antihistamines, such as Chlortrimeton or Benadryl, can be helpful in relieving the itch somewhat. If the reaction from insect bites is severe, or if pain does not diminish in forty-eight hours, consult with the physician by telephone.