Stings and bites
Insect bites and stings are particular to species found within certain countries and locations. Around two million Americans are allergic to insect stings. Extent of symptoms may also vary depending on the type of insect, the individual’s health condition, and medical treatments in use. Whether individuals are infected with blood-borne disease when stung or bitten depends on the type of insect and their ability to carry and transmit diseases.
How do stings and bites differ?
Stings and bites differ according to if the insect’s physical structure and the nature of the sting or bite. When an insect, such as a bee or wasp, uses a physical sting (part of the insect’s body) to “inject” into the human flesh before inserting venom, this is a classed as a sting. While the bee cannot re-sting because the sting and venom pouch is left within the sting site on the human body, the wasp retains its physical sting and can re-sting repetitively. Due to the venom, stings usually cause severe reactions, such as inflammation, swelling, fever and even anaphylactic shock. For some people, the reaction is localized to the sting site, but in others, the allergic response is systemic, affecting their whole body and is life threatening.
In contrast, bites are not caused by a physical insect sting carrying venom, and are usually not life threatening unless infected with a blood-borne disease, such as Malaria or Yellow Fever in the case of mosquitoes. Allergic reactions are rare in bites, and therefore treatment of bites differs to treatments for sting where allergic response may be present.
Types of stings and bites
The type of bite or sting depends on the type of insect and the severity of inflammation, irritation, or allergic response. In the United States, stings from bees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets and scorpions are common. As are bites from fire ants, spiders, mosquitoes, sand flies, ticks, chiggers, fleas, lice, mites and bed bugs.
Causes of stings and bites
Any one of the following may attract an insect to bite or sting:
- Personal smell from metabolic processes and exposed skin
- Infestations of certain insects within specific environments (such as in fields, thick brush, near water and swamps, and garbage)
- Insects in search of a host that they can feed off of
- Interruptions during foraging in grass or sand, or of hives, or provocation
- Exposure of foods and beverages
- Attraction to cosmetics or smells from deodorants, perfumes and hairsprays
- Brightly colored cloth, such as table cloths and clothing
Diagnosing stings and bites
A physician will physically examine the skin bite or sting site, note any other changes in health, such as fever or shock. All symptoms will be observed to see if there are signs of allergy. Part of forming a diagnosis may involve questions about environments visited, cosmetics used, and types of foods consumed. If the insect was seen, a description of the insect will aid diagnosis.
During the diagnosis, the physician will be able to determine if venom is a cause through the following symptoms: itching; swelling; redness; pain; and general allergic response. There may be tingling, numbness or burning. In bites, such responses are usually mild or absent. Even though ants and black widow spiders bite, their bites transmit venom that can be life threatening depending on allergy, whereas mosquitoes, fleas, lice, chiggers, sand flies, ticks and bugs do not transmit venom, but their bite may infect with disease requiring anti-bacterial treatment.
Treating stings and bites
Most stings and bites can be treated at home unless there is life-threatening allergic response, such as anaphylactic shock, where hospitalization is immediately required.
Removing Stings
The first reaction is to feel the pain from the sting and try to remove the sting. In doing so, make sure to use a straight-edged object, not tweezers, and scrape over the sting to remove. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Symptoms can develop over twenty four to forty eight hours, so monitor the body’s response.
Localized bites and stings
Superficial bites and stings can be treated by removing the sting if one is present, washing the bite or sting site with warm water and soap, patting the site dry, applying anti-inflammatory or antihistamine ointment with a sterile dressing. If hives develop of the local reaction worsens, see a physician that may prescribe:
- Anti-inflammatory medications for pain and swelling
- Topical antihistamines, anaesthetics/analgesics and topical hydrocortisone for itching
- Topical anti-bacterial treatments to prevent infection
Systemic allergic response to bites and stings
Most bites and stings are local and not systemic, but some people are allergic to bites and stings. Should a systemic allergic reaction start, with the following symptoms: swelling on the face or in the mouth; difficulty breathing and swallowing; weakness; and skin changing to blue shade; medical attention should be immediately sought. Do not administer any medications and follow the following steps until medical help arrives:
- Provide rescue breathing where necessary
- Calm the person
- Remove all personal items that may cause restriction
- Use an emergency kit if one is present
- Apply first aid for shock – stay with the person, lay them down, loosen clothing, and insulate from cold.