Insect bite: swelling and redness, what to do and how to relieve itching

insect bite swelling and redness what to do
Insect bite swelling and redness what to do

Hello! Not so long ago, a whole wave of incidents swept along our street. Every day someone suffered from insect bites.

Either the wasps went crazy and began to bite everyone, then the bees seemed to rebel. Everyone suffered: both adults and children.

In this regard, information relevant to the consequences of a bite has become very relevant. Want to know what to do if swelling and redness appear after an insect bite? How to get rid of itching and burning? Now I will share with you useful information on this topic.

Insect bite - swelling and redness, what to do and how to treat

No one is safe from an insect bite (see photo) and the associated uncomfortable pain sensations: swelling and redness of the inflamed area. Various medicines and folk remedies can help to cope with this problem.

Symptoms

Depending on the variety of insects that caused harm to humans, the signs that are accompanied in the process also differ. Common characteristic features of symptoms are:

  • swelling and swelling at the site of the lesion with a small pest
  • redness of the skin can reach a diameter of 5 centimeters or more;
  • severe or tolerable itching;
  • pain
  • temperature increase is possible;
  • general malaise and weakness.

Swelling and redness may occur on the skin for another week if a wasp or a bee stings you.

First aid

If you have been attacked by a small pest (wasp, bee, midge, mosquito, tick, etc.), then you first need to calm down and not panic. Nothing terrible will happen if you quickly react and take such measures.

Important!
Wash affected area with soap and water. This will reduce the amount and concentration of poison that enters the body during a bite.

It is strongly not recommended to scratch the inflamed area. It is better to wait a bit and wait until the degree of itching is not so intense.

When combing a bite, the area of ​​damage increases and there is a high probability of infection entering the affected skin, which means the appearance of inflammation with suppuration.

Apply something cold to the wound. It can be: ice, a coin, keys, in general, everything that is at hand in this situation. Cold is a kind of assistant that does not allow the development of anaphylactic shock.

Due to the property of cold, to narrow blood vessels, allergens are not able to quickly move through the vessels, but rather move more slowly, reducing the likelihood of allergic reactions.

Apply a tight, tightly pressure bandage above the location of the bite site. This measure has a beneficial effect on reducing redness and the spread of puffiness.

Perform disinfection to prevent infection and suppuration of the wound.
Suitable disinfectants include: hydrogen peroxide, any alcohol-containing substance, iodine solution, or chlorhexidine.

First aid for insect bites
First aid for insect bites

How to relieve swelling, itching, redness?

In a home or travel first-aid kit, medicines should always be available that will reduce the manifestations of redness and swelling after a bite of a small pest. The following medicines are among the most indispensable and necessary drugs for the treatment of insect bites.

Advice!
Dimexide in the form of a compress. This medication is a kind of conductor, which allows you to quickly accompany and deliver drugs from the point of departure - the upper surface of the skin to the final destination - deep into the skin tissue to the lesion.

They work perfectly in combination with Dimexide - Suprastin (an anti-allergic drug) and Diclofenac (anti-inflammatory). Together, they reduce the degree of inflammation, itching and redness.

But first you need to test for a possible allergy, on a small area of ​​the skin you need to apply this mixture of drugs, wait a little time to make sure there is no reaction.

Antihistamines - Citrine, Tavegil, etc. They suppress severe itching, swelling and redness. They are taken orally in accordance with the instructions.

Ibuprofen, Dexamethasone, Nurofen and the like are anti-inflammatory drugs that affect the reduction of pain, reduce the manifestations of edema and redness on the skin. They are taken orally in the form of tablets or injections according to the attached instructions.

Ointments that reduce itching, redness and swelling after an insect bite are: Hydrocortisone ointment, Elokom, Advantan. It should be used for 4 days, 2 times a day, apply a small amount of the product to the affected area.

Antibiotics are used in the last stage of the consequences - the development of infection and suppuration. This is Amoxicillin, or ointments of a similar spectrum of exposure - Levomekol, Triderm, etc.

What to do at home?

Folk and phytotherapeutic measures will help get rid of the swelling and redness that has arisen after a bite of a small pest. These include the following substances ...

Soda. It will quickly reduce the manifestations of itching and swelling after an insect bite. To do this, make a soda compress or gruel with a small addition of water, stir and apply to the bite, leave for 10 minutes, rinse with running water.

Attention!
Plain vodka will reduce pain and redness. It is enough just to wet a napkin or cotton swab with vodka and wipe the affected area. First a little care, but soon there will be an improvement.

Apple vinegar. An excellent tool to eliminate itching, swelling and redness from an insect bite, is used in the form of compresses, in a diluted state in equal proportions equally with water.

Lemon juice. An indispensable assistant in the fight against itching and swelling. Using its beneficial properties is easy, just lubricate the affected area and within 20 minutes the allergic reaction will decrease.

Just remember that you need to use diluted lemon juice, not concentrated, in equal proportions with water.

Aloe juice. It helps to get rid of unpleasant itching and redness, you just need to squeeze the plant juice for inflammation or make dressings moistened with aloe juice and apply them.

Mint. It is a unique natural antihistamine. It is necessary to grind the leaves of the plant to a mushy state and apply in the form of lotions on the affected area.

Basil. It can be taken orally in the form of a decoction (2 tablespoons of leaves per 0.5 liters of water) and as compresses to the bite site. Its usefulness is that it suppresses itching and swelling.

Ordinary fresh ripped leaves of burdock or plantain will become an additional means of quick response when there are no medications under your arm. They should be ground until juice appears and applied to the inflammation.

What diseases are transmitted through an insect bite?
What diseases are transmitted through an insect bite?

Prevention

As preventive measures, the following recommendations should be observed:

  1. If it is possible to wear closed and not too bright clothes, so as not to attract insects and not give them a chance to get on exposed skin (this applies to ticks and mosquitoes).
  2. Do not use strong fragrant eau de toilette, which attracts and irritates bees, hornets and wasps.
  3. If necessary, use various repellents, special means of protection against various insects when you go for walks in the park or on picnics.
  4. On the doors, windows of a country house or in a private house, apartment, install mosquito nets or capes that can prevent uninvited small guests in the home.

The considered measures and means of treating the consequences of insect bites will allow you to correctly and quickly provide first aid and prevent complications that may arise in the process of untimely treatment.

How and how to remove swelling from an insect bite. Tips & Tricks

Insects are the most diverse and numerous category of living creatures on our planet. In addition, this is by far the most enduring, prolific and most adaptable part of the animal world. However, a simple layman is little concerned about evolutionary processes and the ability of insects to survive.

The common man is worried about how to avoid meeting with representatives of the cruel microcosm who are constantly fighting for survival.

Important!
Indeed, contact with insects occurs according to one of two unpleasant scenarios - either they irritate us and prevent us from living quietly, or even worse - they mercilessly bite, and sometimes it is very painful.

On Earth, you can’t find a person who wouldn’t experience insect bites, unless of course he lives in a completely sterile chamber. A variety of creatures bite us, bite a lot and with different consequences.

The response from a bite depends on two key factors: the one who bit, and also on the individual characteristics of the bitten organism.

If one person is able to endure arbitrarily many cruel mosquito bites, then another one bite can be quite enough for a fatal outcome. The main danger to humans is not the piercing of the skin and the pain that accompanies it, but the substances injected by the insect during a bite.

And here the most disturbing consequence is sudden swelling and an allergy to insect bites. Representatives of the insect world are a priori aggressive and voracious.

They attack a person for two reasons:

  • for defensive purposes;
  • for your own saturation.

Which insects are dangerous?

A resident of the middle latitudes, first of all, should be wary of hymenopteran insects - wasps, bees, hornets, bumblebees and red ants. All of the above creatures dig into the skin of a person solely for self-defense.

They are not interested in food, and therefore they bite mercilessly - it hurts and for sure. In addition to active proteins, the poison that they inject contains various components that are quite suitable for the role of strong allergens.

Advice!
When such substances enter the body, the latter reacts with redness, pain, swelling and swelling. Living in a world teeming with insects, in order to avoid trouble, you should prepare in advance for unpleasant, but inevitable encounters with bloodsuckers and other bite lovers.

In particular, you should know how to relieve swelling from an insect bite in order to minimize pain and prevent complications. In addition to pain, swelling and allergies, insect bites threaten infection.

Especially dangerous:

  • malaria mosquitoes (malaria);
  • lice (typhoid, rickettsiosis);
  • mosquitoes (leishmaniasis);
  • African mosquitoes (West Nile encephalitis);
  • tsetse flies (sleeping sickness);
  • simple flies (typhoid, dysentery);
  • fleas (bubonic plague);
  • common mosquitoes (dengue fever, yellow fever);
  • ticks (Lyme disease);
  • spiders - Black Widow and Brown Hermit can provoke death.

What symptoms accompany insect bites?

Any insect bites are usually not without consequences - their symptoms are almost the same, only the severity varies. Most bites annoy a person with the following unpleasant manifestations:

  • soreness;
  • swelling, swelling;
  • itching, irritation.

It should be remembered - combing a bitten place, no matter how you like it, is impossible, otherwise you can bring an infection. The most dangerous reaction to an insect bite is an allergy. With it, in addition to local manifestations, there is a general reaction of the body - a rash throughout the body, respiratory failure, loss of consciousness.

In the most severe cases, half an hour after the bite, death may occur. There are moderate allergic reactions and acute. A moderate reaction does not require urgent and special measures, it is expressed by the following symptoms: pain, rash, itching, swelling, slight swelling, body temperature rises at the site of the bite.

But an acute reaction is much more dangerous and requires emergency medical care, with it there are such symptoms:

  • increased heart rate;
  • swelling of the cheeks;
  • respiratory failure;
  • dizziness;
  • rash on the body;
  • sharp drop in blood pressure.

In general, an acute allergic reaction to an insect bite is not a frequent phenomenon, but, alas, it is vitally dangerous. Just ten minutes is enough for the bitten to develop anaphylactic shock, followed by loss of consciousness, and then a fatal outcome.

What to do when bitten by a bumblebee, bee or hornet?

These aggressive bites are very painful and are accompanied by severe swelling and swelling. The severity of the condition is determined by the number of bites and individual intolerance to the components of the injected poison.

How and how to relieve swelling from an insect bite that suddenly stings you? If you are bitten by a stinging insect, immediately remove the sting and try to gently squeeze the liquid out of the bite.

Attention!
If the bite does not have an acute allergy to insect bites, it is enough for him, having taken an antihistamine (one tablet), put in place a chilled lotion soaked in ammonia (dilute 1: 5) or in ethanol (dilute with water 1: 3).

It is also recommended that after drinking warm tea, take a horizontal position and lie down for a while. In order to avoid complications, an antihistamine should be drunk a couple more days - until the swelling and swelling disappear completely.

A number of doctors advise to take vodka inside (25 g and only for adults!) When acute pain occurs, you can take some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, for example, ibuprofen.

It is important to know that individual intolerance can occur over time, and therefore, you should carefully monitor your condition - later nausea, fever, rash, respiratory failure, and changes in pressure may appear.

With bites of stinging insects, traditional medicine recommends the following methods:

  1. attach a chewed sheet of plantain to a bitten place;
  2. attach a dandelion leaf (previously mashed) to the bite site;
  3. attach and fix a leaf of parsley;
  4. lotions from Veronica officinalis herb;
  5. a decoction of parsley roots - taken orally;
  6. drink the infusion of a series;
  7. apply peppermint leaf juice, etc.

But remember - with multiple bites, immediately go to the hospital!

Bloodsucking bites

As you know, mosquitoes lead a sad series of culprits of human deaths. Due to the diseases that these small parasites carry, thousands of bitten people die every year.

Of course, it is best to avoid encountering mosquitoes at all, but the ubiquity of these creatures and the imperfection of many preventive measures and means shatter these hopes.

In addition to the threat of infection, mosquito bites bring an unpleasant sensation in the form of a long-lasting itch. As a result of bites, especially in the area of ​​the face, edema that disfigures the appearance may appear.

But if, in spite of precautionary measures, you nevertheless became a victim of mosquitoes - how to relieve swelling from a bite of bloodsucking insects? There are many effective ways to alleviate the unpleasant consequences of bites, namely:

  • treat the itchy place with a solution of drinking soda;
  • lubricate the bitten place with boron alcohol, alcohol tincture of calendula or just tomato juice;
  • apply cold lotions;
  • take an antihistamine drug (if there are many bites);
  • treat the bite site with fenistil or fucorcin, which perfectly eliminate the itching from mosquito bites.

An antihistamine should be present in your travel kit, especially if you go to the country or nature.

Traditional medicine recommends fighting mosquito bites as follows:

  • grease the bite with sour cream (kefir);
  • attach a sheet of plantain or bird cherry;
  • use Zvezdochka balm for processing bitten places.

What to do if you are bitten by a spider?

The bites of some spiders are deadly and if you suspect a disaster, it is better to immediately call an emergency. This is especially true for children. After all, if the spider is poisonous, then an urgent introduction of an antidote may be required.

In the absence of ambulance, the following measures should be taken:

  • wash the bite site with soap and water;
  • immobilize the affected limb by applying a tire;
  • if a limb is bitten, a tourniquet can be applied (strictly following all the rules for applying a tourniquet);
  • apply a cold lotion to a bitten place;
  • drink plenty of fluids to remove toxins;
  • take aspirin or paracetamol.

Tick ​​bit - what to do?

There is an opinion that you should drip something odorous on a sticky tick - vegetable oil or cologne. However, this is an erroneous action. The tick, having got into an unpleasant situation, begins to defend itself intensively, injecting poison into the body.

Therefore, having found a sucked bloodsucker, proceed according to the following scheme:

  • armed with tweezers, carefully, trying not to pull the insect, unscrew it, just as the screws are unscrewed;
  • inspect the wound for the presence of a tick proboscis and treat with alcohol;
  • drink an antihistamine;
  • It is advisable to visit the clinic.

How to avoid bites?

Of course, no one will insure against all bites, however, by following a number of simple but effective rules, you can significantly minimize the risk of being bitten. So, to avoid an unpleasant encounter with stinging and biting insects, it is recommended:

  1. Do not come close to apiaries;
  2. going to nature not to use perfumes with aromas of flowers;
  3. Do not wear bright clothes that can attract bees;
  4. do not make sudden movements when approaching insects;
  5. be careful in nature - see where you sit, and regularly examine yourself for ticks;
  6. use mosquito nets and ultrasonic traps when going outdoors, repellents and essential oils, and at home.

How to deal with swelling after an insect bite

After an insect bite, edema appears, which can cause a lot of trouble. A person is particularly difficult to tolerate contact with midges. These are small but dangerous pests.

Important!
Their bite is very painful and is always accompanied by severe swelling.Therefore, after its discovery, it is necessary to take all measures to eliminate the disturbing symptoms.

Swelling from an insect bite is not the worst thing that can appear after contact with it. In some cases, a person develops a strong allergic reaction, which is associated with the penetration of foreign substances into the bloodstream.

Many insects are carriers of dangerous viruses and infections. They are able to penetrate the human body and lead to the development of serious diseases.

Do not forget that the bites of midges are completely painless. A person may not notice it until puffiness appears. This is due to the fact that the insect injects a special anesthetic under the skin that relieves pain. After that, it bites through the epidermis, leaving a deep wound.

Injured skin not only gives a lot of pain, but it is also a place through which infection can enter. That is why, after an insect bite, it is very important to properly approach the treatment of a problem place.

This should be done especially carefully if the child is injured. Children carry insect bites harder than adults.

Symptoms

After an insect bite, the following symptoms may appear:

  • the skin changes color and turns red;
  • a pronounced swelling appears;
  • the place of edema is very itchy, can burn;
  • body temperature rises;
  • the size of the lymph nodes increases;
  • tachycardia develops;
  • blood pressure indicators are declining.

The list of developing symptoms after an insect bite depends on the individual characteristics of the human body and on the number of bites. In some cases, only local reactions on the skin are observed, and in others, signs of intoxication are manifested.

First aid

Swelling from a mosquito bite or midge is eliminated immediately after contact with an insect is detected. The sooner you take certain measures, the less likely you are to develop all the unpleasant symptoms. In particular, swelling from a midge bite will manifest itself to a lesser extent if the following is done.

Advice!
The first appeared red spot on the skin must first be treated with any antiseptic solution. It is allowed to use alcohol or vodka diluted with water.

Redness on the skin can be treated with a simple laundry soap. It is recommended to rinse the resulting wound with plenty of cold water. It will reduce pain, protect against infection.

To prevent swelling after a midge bite, redness on the skin must be treated with any antihistamine ointment. If there is no suitable product at hand, you can use a solution of ordinary soda. Also, table vinegar is suitable for processing a problem area. It perfectly removes the irritation that provoked a mosquito bite.

Gnus (midges) or even ordinary mosquitoes can cause a serious allergic reaction. It is quite easy to prevent it if you take any antihistamine drug as soon as possible.

It will stop the development of many unpleasant symptoms of a systemic nature. Edema after a bite of a mosquito or other insect will disappear if a cold compress is applied immediately after its detection.

If a hand, leg, or other part of the body has swollen in a bitten person, the temperature has risen, blood pressure has changed, or the condition of the victim is rapidly deteriorating, consult a doctor.

In some cases, only qualified medical care can stabilize the situation. If the mosquito attack led to the appearance of itching, it is necessary to use special means to eliminate it. The same rule applies to midge bites.

Absolutely forbidden

How can I remove swelling from a midge bite immediately after it is detected? There are many recommendations in this regard. Compliance with simple rules will help prevent the development of an allergic reaction:

  • Places of a bite are strictly forbidden to rub.This will lead to the spread of substances entering the skin from the insect over a large area.
  • Redness caused by midges can not be treated with any means that relate to household chemicals. This can lead to the development of an even greater allergic reaction.
  • It is forbidden to comb problem areas of the skin, because this can cause infection of the wound, which over time begins to fester and difficult to heal.
  • If the doctor has attributed hormonal ointments, they must be applied to the skin around the wound. If these means treat the bite site itself, a burning sensation appears and the healing process slows down significantly.

In case of development of any complications, do not neglect the use of antibiotics, antihistamines or any other drugs. In this case, you can not self-medicate, as this can lead to worse consequences. Prescribe drugs should only be a doctor.

Folk remedies for relieving edema

How to remove swelling from an insect bite, especially if a lot of time has passed after contact with it? Redness, swelling, itching and other unpleasant symptoms will completely disappear if you use one of the presented means :.

Attention!
It is recommended from time to time to treat the problem area with ordinary laundry soap. It will help to disinfect the wound and prevent its secondary infection.
It is very easy to get rid of puffiness if you use some herbs.

The bird cherry, mint, dandelion, plantain and many others are very effective. To eliminate the swelling, you need to take a fresh leaf, crush it and attach it to the wound.

How can you remove swelling from a midge bite if there is no way to buy pharmacy products? In this case, a regular bow will help. It must be grated and applied to the problem area.

To reduce pain, eliminate swelling, toothpaste will help. It produces a cooling effect and eliminates intolerable itching, indicating the development of an allergic reaction.

Natural ointment made on the basis of vegetable oil is very effective in eliminating swelling. For 1 tablespoon of base oil, add 5 drops of essential extracts of mint, lemon. Received ointment periodically treat problem areas.

To improve the condition after insect bites, cabbage leaf can be used. Grind it so that the juice comes out. Cabbage gruel is applied to the swelling and fixed with a gauze bandage.

It is allowed to use decoctions from medicinal plants. Oak bark, St. John's wort, mint and others have medicinal properties. From these herbs, you can prepare both a one-component infusion, and a medicine from several ingredients.

To do this, 2 tablespoons of the plant mixture is filled with 400 ml of boiling water. The medicine should be infused for about 20 minutes, after which it is used to prepare compresses.

What to do if your eyes are injured

How to relieve swelling with midges bites in the area near the eye? In this case, not only redness and swelling appears on the skin, but intense lacrimation also develops. The following recommendations will help eliminate all unpleasant symptoms.

Important!
It is strictly forbidden to rub your eyes, comb the place of a bite. This will increase the allergic reaction and cause the appearance of new unpleasant symptoms. It is advisable to apply a pharmacy antihistamine ointment to the skin around the eye. You should also take inside any drug against allergies.

A compress of grated potatoes can be applied to the eye. It will reduce swelling, reduce pain. A small slice of potato that has the same properties is allowed.

The leaves of plants such as bird cherry or mint produce a positive effect. They must first be washed a little with your hands, and then put on the eye. Parsley is very effective.To relieve pain and eliminate edema, you need to make a compress using juice from the leaves of the plant.

To prevent the development of a serious allergic reaction after an insect bite in the eye, you can use ordinary black tea.

To do this, prepare a strong tea leaves, moisten pieces of gauze in it and make lotions. You can apply tea bags to the eye.

After a bite of a midge in the eye, it is recommended to visit an ophthalmologist. He will conduct an examination and, if necessary, prescribe additional treatment.

Prevention

To prevent insect bites, you must follow these simple rules:

  • Those who live in a private house, it is advisable to get rid of excess vegetation on the site.
  • Mosquito nets must be placed on windows.
  • If you plan to go to the forest or any open area, you should use special sprays and creams to protect against insects.
  • If you intend to walk around areas with intensive vegetation, it is advisable to wear clothes with long sleeves. Legs should also be as closed as possible.
  • You should avoid walking in the late evening when the activity of insects is highest.

What should I do if a swelling and redness appear after an insect bite?

The reaction to an insect bite occurs as a result of an allergy to their poisons (in the case of a bee, wasp sting) or saliva (in the case of a mosquito, mosquito, midge bite). One of the most frequent manifestations of such a reaction is swelling, itching and redness at the site of the bite.

Advice!
But there is also a more pronounced reaction, when edema and redness are very pronounced and persist for 10 days or more. In rare cases, anaphylactic shock or acute urticaria may develop.

In any of these cases, the reaction to an insect bite needs to be treated, otherwise a serious complication may develop with the next bite.

How is a local reaction manifested?

Limited local response. This is the appearance at the site of a bite of redness up to 5 cm and swelling of soft tissues. Symptoms are accompanied by pain and itching. If infection occurs during a bite, infection occurs.

The bite site is suppurating, the patient's body temperature rises, weakness appears, sometimes nausea and dizziness.

A pronounced local reaction manifests itself in the form of redness of the skin more than 5 cm and swelling of the soft tissues. The tumor and redness may increase within two days after the bite, and then last up to 10 days.

This reaction is accompanied by a general weakness of the patient, a decrease in appetite, and sometimes nausea.

In what cases should I urgently consult a doctor?

There are situations when the usual reaction to a bite can go into the allergic response of the body and end in anaphylactic shock (which threatens life!). Dangerous symptoms are:

  1. Strong spread of redness and swelling beyond the site of the bite.
  2. The appearance of vesicles on the body, which merge with each other into large bubbles, spread throughout the body and are accompanied by severe itching.
  3. Dizziness, confused consciousness or slurred speech, loss of consciousness.
  4. It is difficult to inhale or exhale, as if something is compressing or interfering in the chest.
  5. Swelling of the nasal mucosa, pharynx, tongue.
  6. Increase in body temperature to 38 degrees and above. Or an increase in body temperature to low numbers (up to 37.5 degrees), but persisting for a long time.

What to do if swelling and redness appear?

First of all, you need to wash the bite place well under running water with soap. This will help wash away some of the poison or saliva from the surface of the skin, which will reduce the likelihood of them entering the body. In no case should you comb the place of the bite, even if this itching is unbearable.

Attention!
Combing will increase the area of ​​damaged skin, infection may join and suppuration may begin.

Coldapplied to the site of the bite will help to narrow the blood vessels, the blood flow will slow down, and allergens will no longer spread throughout the body.This will reduce the risk of anaphylactic shock. The same effect can be achieved by pressing the place of the bite with your finger.

With a rapid increase in tissue edema and the spread of hyperemia (redness), a tight bandage or tourniquet must be applied above the site of the bite.

Disinfection. This stage is necessary, since any bite forms an open gate (wound) for infection. And if a bacterium or virus joins, then a simple bite turns into an infected wound with the formation of pus. This complication should be treated only with antibiotics.

To disinfect the bite, you can use ethyl alcohol, salicylic acid, Chlorhexidine, Miramistin, iodine solution (Betadine, Yodditserin).

Soda compress. This is a good decongestant, which is always at hand. In addition, soda helps significantly reduce itching. The concentration of the solution should be extremely high, you can even make pulp from soda and put it on the site of the bite. Leave for a while.

Compress with dimexide. This tool is a good conductor, that is, it quickly delivers drugs from the surface of the skin deep into the tissues. Compress can be used with any means in the form of a solution - anti-allergic (Suprastin, Tavegil) to reduce itching, hormonal (Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone) to reduce inflammation, swelling and redness, anti-inflammatory (Diclofenac).

Before putting a compress, you need to conduct a test. On the back surface of the forearm, put a “test” compress on a small area, if after 20 minutes there is no skin reaction, feel free to put the bite in place.

Important!
Antihistamines topically. They are used for the local reduction of itching (only at the place of application of the drug), redness and swelling of the soft tissues.

Antihistamines inside. They are prescribed in case of a pronounced local reaction. These are drugs that reduce the sensitization (sensitivity) of the body to insect allergens, reduce itching and swelling of the tissues (tumor).

The drugs are used in the form of tablets, if necessary, emergency care - in the form of a solution for injection. These include Tavegil, Suprastin, Tsetrin, Eden, Erius, Lordes and others.

Anti-inflammatory drugs. If you want to reduce pain, then non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed (Ibuprofen, Nurofen, Ibufen). For a larger-scale action (anti-inflammatory, decongestant, immunosuppressive), hormonal drugs in the form of injections (Dexamethasone, Prednisolone) are prescribed.

With minor, but persistent local reactions, hormonal ointments can be used. They are applied strictly to the reaction site with a course of no more than 5 days. These include Elokom, Lokoid, Advantan, Hydrocortisone ointment.

Antibiotics. Appointed with suppuration of an insect bite. At the initial stage, you can do with local ointments with antibiotics (Levomekol, Oflokain, Triderm). In more advanced cases, the use of antibiotics inside (Azithromycin, Cefodox, Amoxicillin) will be required.

Insect bite, swelling and redness: treatment

In the spring-summer period, the life of insects is activated. In most cases, their coexistence with a person is not considered something bad. However, it is worth distinguishing between completely harmless individuals and those that can be dangerous to human health.

Advice!
Today, science knows about the existence of more than 5 million species of insects. In this case, the most common in the world are coleoptera and lepidoptera, which include beetles and butterflies, as well as hymenoptera - ants, wasps, mosquitoes and bees.

It is insects from the order Hymenoptera that most often become the culprits of the appearance on the human body of tumors, redness and swelling, which are the result of their bites.

Are insect bites dangerous?

Many are convinced that the only thing an insect bite can remember is a tumor. However, realities speak of a completely different story: mortality from hymenoptera bites is more than 3 times higher than mortality from venomous snake bites.

The reason for such indicators is that 80% of the world's population is allergic to proteins that enter the human body along with saliva or hymenoptera venom.

What else can be dangerous insect bites? Firstly, these creatures are often carriers of various microorganisms that can cause severe illnesses in a bitten person, such as typhus, West Nile fever and leishmaniasis, sleeping sickness and dysentery, Lyme disease and encephalitis.

This is not a complete list of diseases that can be transmitted by blood-sucking insects, which include fleas, lice, mosquitoes and mosquitoes.

Signs of complications

The natural reaction of the human body to an insect bite is swelling and redness of the skin. Approximately 80% of bitten people feel itching, burning, or even pain at the point where the poison or saliva penetrates the body. In 45% of cases, an allergy to insect bites can develop, which is manifested by the following symptoms:

  • redness and itching of the skin away from the bite;
  • rashes on the body, urticaria;
  • dizziness;
  • confusion of consciousness;
  • difficulty breathing
  • swelling of the soft tissues of the nasal cavity, pharynx and mouth;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • feverish conditions;
  • an increase in body temperature to subfebrile indicators;
  • chest pain or constriction.

The appearance of any of the above symptoms should be a signal to immediately seek emergency medical care, because with further exacerbation of the symptomatic manifestations of an allergic reaction in a person, anaphylactic shock can occur.

In addition, a seemingly normal tumor after an insect bite can develop into purulent inflammation of subcutaneous fat, to prevent which it is enough to treat the wound with a disinfectant.

How to treat insect bites

At home, there are several sufficiently effective methods and means to quickly and efficiently remove a tumor from an insect bite. Before starting treatment, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the surface of the skin around the wound with ordinary soap and warm water.

Attention!
This will remove the chitin particles of the insect remaining on the body or inside, as well as the remnants of the saliva or poison injected by it. Remember: never comb the place of a bite, even if the itching is unbearable!

With such a phenomenon as insect bites, the treatment consists in eliminating the painful symptoms: itching, burning and swelling. This can be done with the use of external medicines, with the help of oral medication and alternative methods.

With slight edema and slight redness, it is enough to attach a piece of ice to the bite site, and in other cases it is necessary to use ointments, creams or gels after insect bites. Before choosing a specific dosage form, you need to understand how they differ from each other.

The composition of almost all antihistamines or anti-inflammatory ointments that are used to eliminate symptoms after an insect bite includes the same active substances. The only difference is how quickly the product is absorbed into the skin.

The ointment is absorbed most slowly, the cream is absorbed a little faster, and the gels are absorbed in just a couple of minutes.

With an average degree of hyperemia and swelling, severe itching, antihistamines should be used, which are dispensed without a doctor’s prescription. With their help, you can quickly get rid of these symptoms. An antihistamine ointment from insect bites should be applied directly to the wound.

Things are slightly different with ointments and gels from itching, which include menthol. They need to be applied only to the skin around the wound.Such drugs do not treat an insect bite, swelling and itching, they only have a distracting effect.

The following external medicines are considered the most popular:

  • gel "Fenistil";
  • Psilo-balm gel;
  • Bepanten cream or ointment;
  • cream or ointment "Afloderm";
  • Calamine Lotion;
  • Elidel cream.

Not always gels and ointments can be of sufficient effectiveness. In the event that multiple insect bites appear on the body, external treatment can be supplemented with oral medications, including the steroid preparations Diphenhydramine, Benadryl and others.

In addition, with inflammation of the bite sites, it is necessary to use antimicrobial tablets. Acute reactions suggest the use of injections of Epinephrine.

Alternative methods of treatment

An allergy to insect bites, in addition to using pharmacy drugs, can be eliminated by folk remedies. The most famous and effective plants that will help relieve swelling, itching and inflammation are plantain, elderberry, dandelion, Veronica officinalis and many others.

Important!
In addition, in the past two decades, to eliminate the symptoms of allergy to hymenoptera bites, they often began to use foods related to food: soda and acetic acid.

Use of folk remedies should be careful, since many of them are themselves allergens, which can worsen the condition of an already affected skin. To protect the victim from complications, providing assistance with insect bites by folk methods, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the recipes for the preparation of medicinal compounds and the rules for their use.

Garlic. Garlic is one of the most affordable means to eliminate redness and swelling, which was the result of damage to the skin by tiny jaws or stings of winged inhabitants of nature. The first thing an insect bite stands out is a tumor.

You can get rid of it with the help of water extract of garlic. For its preparation, it is necessary to grind on a fine grater or pass through a press a couple of heads of garlic and pour the resulting mass with a glass of boiled cooled water.

An infusion is moistened with a sterile bandage or a piece of tissue and applied to the bite site. This tool will benefit in the treatment of bites of blood-sucking insects: mosquitoes, horseflies and midges.

In addition to the infusion, you can use the pulp from one clove of garlic, applying it on a bandage to the skin. This remedy is more effective for stings of stinging insects - wasps and bees. When suppuration appears in the wound, you can mix the mass of garlic with honey in equal proportions.

It is necessary to recall that this method requires careful use for people with hypersensitivity to the skin, since garlic juice can cause serious burns.

Cabbage as a remedy for insect bites. Cabbage leaves are considered the most effective way to reduce the tumor from an insect bite. They are used as follows: they take a thin part of the sheet and lower it into hot water for a few seconds to soften it a little.

Advice!
After that, it is applied to the area of ​​the skin exposed to insects, covered with a film on top and fixed with a cloth. This compress will allow you to get rid of a strong tumor and pain from a bite of stinging insects in just one night.

Cabbage ointment from insect bites with suppuration also has a good effect. To prepare it, you need a quarter of a cabbage cabbage (fresh), a bunch of parsley and about 50 g of pork interior fat. Chop the cabbage to a puree state, chop the parsley and squeeze the juice out of it.

Mix the resulting ingredients with fat, mix well. It is better to store this tool in the refrigerator. Apply the ointment twice a day to an insect bite, the tumor will subside in about a day, and the itching or pain will go away even faster.

Soda and Vinegar. Bites of blood-sucking insects that bother with severe itching can be treated with baking soda paste. In order to prepare a therapeutic agent, it is necessary to dilute the soda with a small amount of water so that a sufficiently dense mass is obtained from which a cake can be formed.

The paste is applied directly to the harassing insect bite, fixing it with a piece of bandage and a medical plaster. In addition, washing with water and soda (1 tsp. In a glass of water) is useful. This method is more suitable for cases when there are multiple bites, and it is not possible to apply a paste of soda on a large surface of the skin.

Use as an external medicine and table 3% vinegar, preferably apple. A bandage or a clean cloth moistened with it is applied to the redness and tumor resulting from a bite of blood-sucking insects for 20-30 minutes.

During the use of this tool, it is necessary to ensure that vinegar does not get into the calculations, as this can cause a burn. It is also unacceptable to use undiluted vinegar or essence.

Spices. If an insect bite appears on the body, the tumor can be removed with the help of spicy herbs that can be found in any housewife. Most often, basil and mint are used for these purposes. A decoction of basil (2 tbsp. L. Dried herbs boil for 5 minutes in 0.5 l of water, cool) they drink 1/2 cup 3 times a day with severe itching, which often threatens with severe scratching.

Attention!
Mint is used both fresh, applying the juice of crushed leaves to a bitten place, and in the form of poultices: a large pinch of fresh grass is tightly tied in gauze and dipped in boiling water for 5 minutes, after which it is removed and slightly cooled.

Apply a gauze bag with mint to the bite should be at least 3 times a day for 20-30 minutes. A decoction of this herb can be used to wipe the skin to reduce itching and swelling.

Soap and other hygiene products. Often, such remedies as household dark soap and toothpaste are used as a healing agent to eliminate itching, redness and swelling with bites.

To reduce the tumor, twice a day is enough to thickly lather the affected areas of the skin, and with severe itching, traditional healers recommend applying a small amount of mint toothpaste to the bites.

In conclusion, I would like to recall that insect bites that cause severe discomfort (pain, itching, swelling or suppuration) should be shown to the doctor, as these symptoms may indicate an allergy or infection of the wound.

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1 Comment

  1. Often I work in the garden in the summer, if something bites me, I treat it with iodine, it helps a lot, passes quickly and heals.

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