Insects, ticks, bees, mosquitoes... Insect stings are among the most common problems since we spend more time in nature in summer. The types, whether they are poisonous and whether an allergic reaction develops in the individual determine the type and severity of the symptoms that occur after insect bites. It usually passes in a short time with complaints such as itching, pain and swelling, but in some cases, it can reach life-threatening dimensions. Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital Emergency Medicine Specialist Dr. Veysel Balcı warns that even if there is no reaction in the first hours of insect stings, serious health problems may develop even after hours or even days, and says, "Insect stings should be considered important and a doctor should be checked by applying to a health institution as soon as possible." Emergency Medicine Specialist Dr. Veysel Balcı talked about the most common insect stings in summer; made important recommendations and warnings.
insect bites
Some insects, such as bedbugs, fleas and centipedes, which usually have a painful effect, can cause an allergic reaction and local irritation and blisters that collect water. Emergency Medicine Specialist Dr. Veysel Balcı stated that the effect of an insect bite varies depending on the type of insect and the sensitivity of the person, and said, “Young children, those with an allergic constitution, pregnant women and the elderly are more sensitive to insect stings. "Especially insect species living in tropical regions can carry serious diseases." If signs of inflammation such as abscess and pus have occurred in the bitten area and the symptoms have not disappeared within 2 days, this means that the insect sting is at a dangerous level and it is necessary to apply to the hospital without wasting time.
What are the symptoms?
- Itching, pain and swelling in the bitten area
- Discoloration, redness in the bitten area
- Urticaria, accumulation of water or pus in the bitten area
- Abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea
- difficulty breathing
- Chest tightness
- wheezing
- Dizziness and difficulty swallowing
- Fainting and loss of consciousness
- Swelling 2.5 cm in diameter at the site of the insect bite
- swelling of the mouth, throat or tongue
What to do?
Unless there is an allergic reaction, first aid treatment is usually sufficient against insect bites. Do not forget to use insecticide and gel to avoid further exposure to insect bites. Wash the insect bite area with soap and water. By applying ice to this area, you can reduce the pain and itching.
TICK BITES
When ticks, which are more common in spring and summer, infect the body; They settle in the armpits, behind the ears, between the legs, behind the knees, in the groin or hairy areas. Unlike other insect species that feed on blood-sucking, they stay attached to the skin for up to 10 days after biting their host. Non-venomous tick bites are usually harmless and may not cause symptoms. Tick-borne diseases usually develop within a few days to a few weeks after a tick bite and can cause a variety of symptoms. A tick typically needs to be fed for 24 hours to infect a person with the disease it carries under normal conditions. For this reason, the sooner the tick can be identified and removed, the more positive results are obtained from the treatment. Emergency Medicine Specialist Dr. Veysel Balcı warns that diseases transmitted from ticks to their human hosts can cause serious problems and says, "Therefore, even if there is no complaint, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible without any intervention in the tick bite."
What are the symptoms?
- A red spot or rash at the bite site
- Fire
- Headache
- neck stiffness
- rash all over the body
- Weakness
- Muscle or joint pain
- Nausea
- swollen lymph nodes
- Tremors and seizures
How to take precautions?
Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers when walking in open fields, forests or livestock areas where ticks are common.
Walking from the center of the path can reduce contact with ticks.
It will be effective if you use a tick repellent beforehand while walking around the open field.
Showering and bathing are also important.
What to do?
Dr. Veysel Balcı stated that the most important thing to do when the tick is detected is to remove the tick from the body and said, “It is possible to remove the ticks with a tick removal tool or a set of tweezers. The bite area is then cleaned with soap and water. It is very important that this process is done by experts, otherwise a part of the tick may remain under the skin.
BEE STING
The treatment method of bee stings varies depending on the severity. “While it is possible for most people to do the treatment at home to relieve pain, if there is any bee allergy or if you are exposed to more than one bee sting, serious consequences that require immediate treatment can develop,” Dr. For this reason, Veysel Balcı says that you should apply to a health institution and undergo an examination in case of bee stings.
What are the symptoms?
Reactions to bee stings differ from person to person. Some people may develop an allergy to the venom of bees called venom. If many bees sting at the same time, then a toxic reaction can occur.
- mild reactions; sudden burning, pain, redness, swelling.
- moderate reactions; extreme redness and gradually increasing swelling that may persist for several days.
- severe allergic reactions; itching, rash, hives, cold skin, shortness of breath, swelling of the throat and tongue, nausea, vomiting, changes in heart rate, diarrhoea, dizziness, fainting, confusion and loss of consciousness. It is of vital importance to provide emergency medical treatment to people who are exposed to these reactions.
What to do?
Emergency Medicine Specialist Dr. Veysel Balcı explains what to do in case of non-allergic bee stings:
First, quickly remove the bee's stinger. Attention! Removing the needle by squeezing the skin can burst the sac and cause more venom to come into contact with the body. Therefore, you must act carefully and quickly. Thanks to its immediate removal, the aggravation of the reactions that will develop is prevented as the poison released from the needle will be blocked.
Wash the bee sting with cold water and soap. The cold water is soothing, while the soap helps to wash away any remaining dirt or poison from the area. Be careful not to scratch the area of swelling and itching.
Compressing the sensitive area with ice is very effective in reducing the absorption of the poison by the body and reducing the swelling. But beware! Putting ice directly on the skin can cause a burn. Therefore, it will be effective to wrap it in a towel and wait for 20 minutes on the bitten area. You can apply the compress repeatedly as needed. If the growth of the rash increases too much, it is useful to get medical support.
If the sting area is your arm or leg, placing it high will provide support in reducing pain and swelling.
Mosquito bite
Mosquitoes, which are quite disturbing due to both the sound they make and the blood-sucking feature, have a small risk of transmitting viruses and transmitting diseases. Among the most common diseases it causes are yellow fever and malaria.
What are the symptoms?
- Itching and a slight redness may develop. However, in people with sensitive skin, this redness may be darker, and in some people the bitten area may swell.
- People who are allergic to mosquito bites may experience severe nausea, headache and vomiting along with fever.
What to do?
You can apply a cold compress at home to relieve itching and redness caused by mosquito bites. "If the reddened area swells, the swollen area should not be itchy," said Dr. Veysel Balcı says that scratching the skin can cause infection.
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