Insect bites and stings can have a wide variety of effects on an individual, ranging from an annoying nuisance to life-threatening conditions. This array of effects can be dependent on the type of insect, the person’s allergies and what type of disease the insect may be carrying. Part of the issue is that people will ignore the symptoms of an insect bite, expecting it to heal on its own.
People will usually only seek treatment once the condition becomes serious. Here is a guide to understanding the types of insect bites, reactions and when to seek professional treatment.
In the instance of an insect sting, the insect typically injects its venom into its victim. Thus, the victim’s body reacts to the venom causing symptoms like burning, itching or redness. If the body is allergic to the venom, it can cause anaphylactic shock, a severe allergic reaction. This reaction most commonly occurs from bee stings.
Here are some common insects that cause itching, swelling and other conditions.
Insect bites can have similar reactions, but instead of the body reacting to the venom, it is now reacting to the substances in the insect’s saliva. Regardless of the insect or method of injury, if you are experiencing symptoms from an insect bite or sting, be sure to visit our urgent care center to receive the proper treatment today.
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There are three types of reactions, including:
Each type of reaction can have specific effects on the body and will show symptoms at varying intervals.
Local Reactions
Local reactions occur within minutes of the insect bite or sting. The symptoms can include itching, redness and swelling at the site of the punctured skin. While some of these reactions can start out minor, they can get worse over time. The type of treatment we recommend will depend on the extent of the injury and the patient’s reaction.
Papular Urticaria
Papular urticaria will typically have a delay between the bite and the symptoms occurring. The symptoms can include swollen bumps, itching, redness and lesions. These types of bites can occur on the upper back, legs, arms or exposed areas of the skin. In some cases, lesions can cause old injuries to flare up.
Systemic Reactions
Systemic reactions are severe and can take place anywhere from two minutes to two hours after the bite or sting. Unlike other bites or stings, a systemic reaction affects the entire body. Thus, symptoms can include itching, redness, swelling, difficulty breathing and low blood pressure. The swelling can occur in the face, upper body or throat. Having an Epi-Pen is a crucial step to treating an allergic reaction. Patients who believe they have an allergy to something can visit us to learn more about the Epi-Pen and other options.
Unfortunately, an insect may also carry a disease that it can transmit to humans. While this can be a more common issue in countries outside of the US, it can also occur in the US as well. For example, ticks are especially known for causing various diseases specific to different regions in the US and abroad. Listed below are some diseases that may be transmitted from various insects found in the US:
Lyme disease can be transmitted by a specific species of tick called the Ixodes tick, which resides in eastern, western and north-central America. Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be caused by the American dog tick and is local to the eastern and south-central US. West Nile virus is routinely transmitted from mosquitoes in the US while malaria and yellow fever are more common to mosquitoes worldwide.
Several conditions mimic the appearance and symptoms of insect bites, which people may attempt to treat as such instead of the proper treatment. Without proper treatment, the condition will not go away. In some cases, it can get worse.
It is possible to reduce some swelling or itching, but the treatment will not remove the underlying condition. These include skin conditions such as folliculitis, lymphomatoid papulosis and PLEVA (Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta).
All three of these skin disorders have different causes and will have different treatments. This can be difficult for people to figure out without a professional opinion. As an urgent care, we will be able to quickly determine the source of the pain and recommend the most effective course of action. Do not let yourself continue to suffer from an insect sting or bite and visit us today.