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Common Insect Bites & Stings: Mosquitoes, Flies, Bees And Wasps
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Published: November 2, 2006
Although spending time outdoors is one of the most fun parts of summer, the downside to being outside is the inevitability of insect bites. Whether the bite is as harmless as a mosquito or as dangerous as a wasp, insect bites can be quite painful and must be properly taken care of in order to avoid further damage.
The most common insect bites are from mosquitoes, flies, bees and wasps. The last two carry the greatest threat of an allergic reaction. Other biting insects are flies, spiders, fleas and lice.
Bee and wasp stings usually are the most painful. With bee stings, the important thing to know is that a bee leaves its stinger and venom sac behind in the victim’s skin. It is crucial to remove both as quickly as possible and then use a cold compress in the area. It is easy to spot an allergic reaction to bee stings, since these insect bites are potent. With an allergic reaction to bees, symptoms usually include swelling, tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing and dizziness. These symptoms usually do not take long to manifest after the initial sting. As for wasps, the symptoms are practically the same and treatment is identical.
In the event of a severe allergic reaction, the person bitten or stung by the insect should be immediately rushed to the hospital.
Without allergic reaction, the symptoms of a regular insect bite include red and itchy bumps. Fleas and lice, however, tend to bite several times in the same area. Fleas and lice are parasitic insects. If bitten by these insects, immediate treatment should be sought to prevent further infestation.
There are several ways to avoid insect bites; most of them are common sense. In the case of bees and wasps, the trick is to move away from them slowly and to avoid attacking their nest. These insects are simple creatures and any large or sudden movements will be perceived as an attack, so their natural response will be to attack back.
Another common sense rule to avoiding insect bites is to avoid the places these insects live. Insects gather inside large piles of wood, bushes and flowerbeds to build their nests and find food. It also is a good idea to wear long sleeves when traveling in heavily wooded areas to avoid getting bitten by fleas or ticks.
Finally, an excellent common sense method to avoid insect bites is to use insect repellent. Insect bites do not need to get in the way of your summer. By following some of these common sense rules, it is easy to enjoy an insect bite-free season outdoors.
Sources:
Stings and Insect Bites. Based on a text by Vibeke Manniche, paediatrician, PhD. 02/03/2005. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/was pstings.htm. October 18, 2006.
Insect Bites and Stings. Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC. 04/17/2006. http://www.bchealthguide.org/kbase/topic/symptom/i nsbt/hlthtool.htm. October 18, 2006.
The most common insect bites are from mosquitoes, flies, bees and wasps. The last two carry the greatest threat of an allergic reaction. Other biting insects are flies, spiders, fleas and lice.
Bee and wasp stings usually are the most painful. With bee stings, the important thing to know is that a bee leaves its stinger and venom sac behind in the victim’s skin. It is crucial to remove both as quickly as possible and then use a cold compress in the area. It is easy to spot an allergic reaction to bee stings, since these insect bites are potent. With an allergic reaction to bees, symptoms usually include swelling, tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing and dizziness. These symptoms usually do not take long to manifest after the initial sting. As for wasps, the symptoms are practically the same and treatment is identical.
In the event of a severe allergic reaction, the person bitten or stung by the insect should be immediately rushed to the hospital.
Without allergic reaction, the symptoms of a regular insect bite include red and itchy bumps. Fleas and lice, however, tend to bite several times in the same area. Fleas and lice are parasitic insects. If bitten by these insects, immediate treatment should be sought to prevent further infestation.
There are several ways to avoid insect bites; most of them are common sense. In the case of bees and wasps, the trick is to move away from them slowly and to avoid attacking their nest. These insects are simple creatures and any large or sudden movements will be perceived as an attack, so their natural response will be to attack back.
Another common sense rule to avoiding insect bites is to avoid the places these insects live. Insects gather inside large piles of wood, bushes and flowerbeds to build their nests and find food. It also is a good idea to wear long sleeves when traveling in heavily wooded areas to avoid getting bitten by fleas or ticks.
Finally, an excellent common sense method to avoid insect bites is to use insect repellent. Insect bites do not need to get in the way of your summer. By following some of these common sense rules, it is easy to enjoy an insect bite-free season outdoors.
Sources:
Stings and Insect Bites. Based on a text by Vibeke Manniche, paediatrician, PhD. 02/03/2005. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/was pstings.htm. October 18, 2006.
Insect Bites and Stings. Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC. 04/17/2006. http://www.bchealthguide.org/kbase/topic/symptom/i nsbt/hlthtool.htm. October 18, 2006.
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