Some bites will be red and swollen, but for other types of bites these symptoms may not be normal and could suggest an infection. Contact your GP or call GP out of hours service if you think your bite may have become infected, or if you're concerned about your symptoms. Try not to scratch the affected area to avoid infection. If you're in pain or the area is swollen, take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen children under 16 years of age shouldn't be given aspirin.
The pain, swelling and itchiness can sometimes last a few days. Ask your pharmacist about over-the-counter treatments that can help, such as creams for itching and antihistamines. If you have a more serious reaction, your GP may prescribe other medication or refer you to an allergy clinic for specialist assessment and treatment. You should see your GP if you've been bitten or stung and there's a lot of swelling and blistering or if there's pus, which indicates an infection. You're more likely to be bitten or stung if you work outdoors or regularly take part in outdoor activities, such as camping or hiking.
Using insect repellent and keeping your skin covered when outdoors will help you avoid being bitten or stung. Try not to panic if you come across wasps, hornets or bees, and back away slowly. Don't wave your arms around or swat at them. There's a risk of catching diseases such as malaria from insect bites in certain parts of the world, such as:. It's therefore important to be aware of any risks before travelling to these areas, and to get any necessary medication or vaccinations.
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Call Email customerservice. Other people may have experienced whole body urticaria and angioedema hives and swelling or worsening of asthma symptoms after being bitten. Typically, these symptoms occur within minutes after a mosquito bite, compared to skeeter syndrome, which may take hours to occur. People who are at higher risk of developing an allergy to mosquito bites include:. The diagnosis of mosquito allergy is based on a positive skin test or RAST using mosquito whole-body extract.
Testing for mosquito allergy should only be performed in people who have a history of reactions more severe than the typical small, red, itchy bumps experienced by most people. The treatment of mosquito allergy falls into three different categories: the treatment of local reactions, the treatment of severe reactions anaphylaxis, and prevention.
Let's look at each of these separately. Most localized reactions can be treated with the use of topical corticosteroids , such as hydrocortisone cream, as well as with oral antihistamines. In fact, Zyrtec cetirizine has been shown to reduce local reactions to mosquito bites when taken before being bitten.
Some have suggested that those with mosquito allergy use Zyrtec on a daily basis during the summertime when mosquito bites are most likely to occur. Make sure to talk to your healthcare provider before you make a regular practice of this, as any medication may have side effects. The treatment of anaphylaxis, which only rarely occurs as a result of a mosquito bite, should be treated in much the same way as anaphylaxis to insect stings. With severe reactions such as this, your pediatrician may recommend carrying an EpiPen as well as other measures to decrease the likelihood of a reaction.
There is limited evidence suggesting that allergy shots may reduce severe reactions to mosquito bites, however, they are not a widely accepted treatment at this time. The prevention of mosquito bites is the main goal for those with mosquito allergy. These measures include:.
Thankfully, annoying and itchy reactions to a mosquito bite are much more common than a true mosquito allergy. Those who have a true allergy should see an allergist and discuss the best treatments for their particular symptoms.
Anyone who has a severe allergic reaction should be prepared to recognize anaphylaxis and consider allergy shots. What we did not bring up here is a reason to protect yourself against mosquito bites whether or not you have an allergy.
Mites usually bite uncovered skin, but you may be bitten on your tummy and thighs if your pet has mites and has been sitting on your lap. Some mites burrow into the skin and cause a condition called scabies. Flea bites can cause small, itchy red lumps that are sometimes grouped in lines or clusters. Blisters may also occasionally develop. Fleas from cats and dogs often bite below the knee, commonly around the ankles.
You may also get flea bites on your forearms if you've been stroking or holding your pet. Bites from spiders in the UK are uncommon, but some native spiders — such as the false widow spider — are capable of giving a nasty bite. Spider bites leave small puncture marks on the skin, which can be painful and cause redness and swelling. Some spiders bites can cause you to feel or be sick, sweating and dizziness. Bites can also become infected or cause a severe allergic reaction in rare cases.
Get medical help immediately if you have any severe or worrying symptoms after a spider bite. The most common ant in the UK, the black garden variety, does not sting or bite, but red ants, wood ants and flying ants sometimes do. Ant bites and stings are generally harmless, although you'll probably feel a nip and a pale pink mark may develop on your skin.
All ladybirds can bite, but a type called the harlequin ladybird found throughout much of the UK is more aggressive and tends to bite more often.
After the sting occurs, the affected area of skin may be red and swollen. It may also look blue and purple due to the injury. Mosquitoes are perhaps best known for leaving behind small, red bumps that are extremely itchy. Sometimes, these bumps may also darken , creating a bruise-like appearance. Certain types of spider bites may also lead to bruising, including venomous ones like the brown recluse spider or black widow spider.
This is a result of skin necrosis from the venom, which destroys skin tissue. Ticks burrow deep in the skin, so you must carefully remove them by the head with a pair of tweezers. When caught early, you may not notice any symptoms. Ticks can sometimes leave behind a red mark or bruise, which can also be swollen and itchy. Even without a bruise, these symptoms may be present.
Some insects, such as mosquitoes, may cause itchy bites. Get medical attention right away if you experience signs of anaphylaxis , a serious allergic reaction that can cause:.
You should also call your doctor if you experience symptoms of an infected bug bite , including:. A doctor will recommend home treatments to help alleviate mild bug bites. Follow these steps for bug bites with bruising:.
A bruise alone may not be a sign of the above complications. Bruises are caused by broken blood vessels brought on by trauma to the body.
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