Insect bites – from mosquitoes, ants, bees and others – can be irritating for your skin. They itch and cause unsightly red spots all over the body. These reddish bumps that appear as a result of mosquito bites or other insect bites compel you to scratch and cause adverse effects to your skin.
Insects like mosquitoes, which are considered to be biting flies(1), can cause these itchy bumps after puncturing your skin with their blood-sucking mouthparts(2). You may also notice puffy, white and reddish bumps; hard, itchy, reddish-brown bumps or multiple bumps, small blisters and dark spots that seem like bruises. These bumps usually go away a few days after.
A mosquito bite can cause a lot of swelling, soreness and redness. This problem, often seen in children, is sometimes called Skeeter Syndrome(3). Mosquito bites can also pose serious health threats. They can host viruses or parasites that lead to grave illnesses.
Other diseases caused by mosquito bites are yellow fever, malaria(5), Ross River Virus, Murray Valley Encephalitis, cellulitis and brain infections like encephalitis.
How can you tell if that itchy skin irritation needs medical attention?
Head to a doctor if you have(6):
- A rash
- Flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, - headaches, joint and muscle pains (stiffness or swelling)
- Fatigue
- Depression
- A general feeling of being unwell
Ant bites
Ants, like mosquitoes, can sting. You’ll feel a nip, an itch, swelling and some pain. You may also see a pale pink mark on your skin(7). Ants can sting several times and inject a type of venom with every sting(8).
This can cause allergy in children, who may experience a rash, swelling of the tongue or throat and breathing difficulties. In the worst case, the child may simply collapse. These could be symptoms of a severe allergy called anaphylaxis(9), which is considered very serious. At this point, it would be best to see a doctor immediately.
Bee bites
Bee stings pump venom directly into the skin and therefore requires immediate attention. Avoid squeezing the wound as it will inject more venom into the skin. Instead, scrape the surface of the wound with a fingernail to remove any lingering stingers.
Most honey bee stings are barbed and can cause extreme pain and swelling. But a person who is allergic to bee venom may experience more general symptoms such as difficulty breathing and collapse(9).
How to stay away from mosquito and other insect bites
As always, prevention is better than cure. Here’s how you can spare yourself from the agony of itchy, swelling and painful skin after an encounter with mosquitoes and other insects.
- Stay indoors between dusk to dawn, when mosquitoes are most active(10)
- Repair tears on window and door screens and camping equipment
- Cover strollers and cribs with mosquito nets
- Use insect repellent (the most popular ones contain diethyltoluamide [DEET], Icaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus)(11)
- Use spray repellent outdoors, far away from food. If you have to, apply sunscreen 20 minutes before using screen repellent
- Cover up and protect your skin from mosquito bites and insect stings with articles of clothing.
- Clean roof gutters, empty children’s wading pools and change water in bird baths at least once a week
- Discard old tires at home
- Empty outdoor flower pots or store them upside down so they can’t hold water
- Drain your fire pit of water
- Keep a flyswatter or candle handy when indoors
- Cover your bed or cot with mosquito net when sleeping outdoors or in a building that is not fully screened
- Cover playpens, strollers and children’s beds with mosquito net, especially when outdoors
- Take a shower, change and wash clothes and gear after joining outdoor activities.
- Six months before traveling, find out what kinds of insects that can be found at your travel destination.
Mosquito bites and insect stings can cause serious illnesses. That’s why a slight itch, however harmless-looking, must be addressed as soon as possible. It’s for your own, and your loved ones’ protection.
References:
- Insect bite prevention (n.d.) Retrieved Sept. 1, 2020 from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/insect-bite-prevention.html
- Mosquito bites (n.d.) Retrieved Sept. 1, 2020 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mosquito-bites/symptoms-causes/syc-20375310
- What Happens When a Mosquito Bite Gets Infected (And What to Do) (June 21, 2018) Retrieved Sept. 1, 2020 from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-happens-when-a-mosquito-bite-gets-infected-and-what-to-do/
- Symptoms Insect bites and Stings (n.d.) Retrieved Sept. 1, 2020 from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insect-bites-and-stings/symptoms/
- Symptoms Insect bites and Stings (n.d.) Retrieved Sept. 1, 2020 from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insect-bites-and-stings/symptoms/
- Insect Bites and Stings (n.d.) Retrieved Sept. 1, 2020 from https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/insect-bites-and-stings
- Symptoms Insect bites and Stings (n.d.) Retrieved Sept. 1, 2020 from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insect-bites-and-stings/symptoms/
- Insect Bites and Insect Stings (n.d.) Retrieved Sept. 1, 2020 from https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/insect-bites-stings
- Insect Bites and Stings (July 22, 2020) Retrieved Sept. 1, 2020 from https://australian.museum/learn/animals/insects/insect-bites-and-stings/
- Mosquito bites (n.d.) Retrieved Sept. 1, 2020 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mosquito-bites/symptoms-causes/syc-20375310
- Mosquito bites (n.d.) Retrieved Sept. 1, 2020 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mosquito-bites/symptoms-causes/syc-20375310
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