Insect Bites – Identification, Signs, Symptoms and Treatment Guide

Insect bites are one of the most common and irritating things which has plagued mankind since the dawn of time. Since insects comprise the majority of all living organisms, it is nearly impossible to avoid them and their bites. An insect will bite for two main reasons, to feed or to defend itself. No matter what reason the insect has for taking a bite, their bites can cause skin problems to humans and animals. In some cases, insect bites can even carry diseases which can be very harmful or even fatal to both humans and animals.

Insect Bites – Identification

Identification of insect bites vary greatly depending on what specific insect caused the bite. For a lot of cases, the bites are undetectable or does not cause any problem. For larger insects with large chelicerae or mouth part, skin tear and pain plus bleeding might be present. For insects with stingers and venom, their bite might be more obvious because of the signs and symptoms which follows after a bite. It is best to note too that spider bites are not generally categorized as an insect bite.

Insect Bites – Signs and Symptoms

Insect bites cause some signs and symptoms because of the venom that some insects have. Once injected on the skin of the bitten human or animal, the venom will cause signs and symptoms ranging from local skin reaction to allergic reaction. In some cases, as in the case of disease carrying insects, their bites can cause transmission of diseases.

Local Reaction Signs and Symptoms	Mild Reaction Signs and Symptoms	Severe Reaction Signs and Symptoms
Rashes Swelling of the bitten area Itchiness in the area of the bite Local infection generally from scratching the bitten area. Inflammation reaction if the bite broke the skin visibly.	Pain (tolerable pain) Itchiness Rashes Swelling Mild Fever resulting from infection of the bitten area Swelling of fingers of the extremity nearest the bitten area Swollen lymph nodes Cramps	Difficulty of breathing Circulatory collapse or shock High fever Shaking Nausea Swelling of the face Cramps Vomiting Teary eyes Abdominal pain Confusion Rapid heartbeat or palpitations Dizziness Swelling of the lips, and throat Other signs and symptoms of allergic reaction

Insect Bites – First Aid and Treatment

Although the best treatment for any bite is still prevention of the bite, in which case insect traps and control would be a great thing to have, still, bites do happen. Knowing how to deal with the bite is important to prevent further aggravation of the signs and symptoms.

Insect Bites First Aid and Treatment Guide

Insect with Biting Mouthparts	Insects with Venom	Insect with Sting
Insects with biting mouth parts can cause very visible skin tears. 1. The primary thing to do is to clean the area with mild soap and water. 2. Observe the bitten area for what type of reaction it will cause. Local and mild reaction (see table above) can be treated at home. Keeping the bitten area clean until fully healed and observation of signs and symptoms are usually all that is needed.	Insects with venom typically cause an immediate reaction which is very visible. The bitten area would most often have a puncture wound or two puncture wounds through which the venom was injected. 1. Clean the area with mild soap and water. 2. Observe the bitten area for the effect of the venom. Insects with venom causes mild to severe reaction (see table above). Mild reactions can be treated at home but any sign of severe reaction should immediately receive medical attention.	Bees and Wasps are some of the insects which has stingers. With these insects, the stinger is typically left attached to the skin of the stung individual. The following measures should be done: 1. Take the stinger off by scraping it away from the skin with the use of a credit card, or paper. Avoid squishing the stinger to avoid injecting more venom unto the skin. Do not use a tweezer. 2. Observe the stung area. Stings can cause mild to severe reaction to insect bites (see table above). Mild reactions can benefit from home treatment but anything more than local and mild reaction should be brought to the attention of a medical professional.

Treatment for severe reaction to insect bites should always be prompt medical attention. Do not attempt to treat a severe reaction without a doctor’s supervision. Severe reaction to insect bites may be life threatening and should be taken seriously.

Insect Bites – Bites of Wisdom

Dealing with insect bites is something that everyone should have some knowledge of since they are one of the most common organisms that we share this planet with. Any insect bite should be observed for the type of reaction it causes and the proper treatment be given to prevent complications resulting from insect bites.

Insect Bites – Identification, Signs, Symptoms and Treatment Guide