According to scientists there are approximately 200,000 species of insects in Australia, with only about 62,000 named. Among these are those that are known to bite. Insect bites can be a significant medical problem for some and just a nuisance for others. Regardless of how you react to an insect bite, you need to be sure that you know how to treat insect bites.
In this article, we’ll be looking at the best treatment for insect bites, with tips, remedies, and expert advice for all sorts of insects.
How to Treat Insect Bites and Stings
Many people assume one insect bite is the same as another. But this isn’t the case. The type of insect, the reaction, and the individual are all important factors to consider when it comes to treating an insect bite.
How do you know if you've been bitten or stung by an insect?
The first thing to consider is to identify whether you’ve been bitten or stung by an insect, or whether you’ve been affected by something else. Many irritants, such as plants or chemicals, have very similar reactions.
Luckily, these reactions can also be treated in much the same way. Therefore, it is best to assume that you’ve been bitten by an insect, as these can carry the most risk with venom or diseases that they can spread.
However, there can often be a very clear sign that you’ve been bitten if you can see a puncture wound on your skin.
Signs of an insect bite or sting infection: When to act
There are numerous insect bite symptoms that you need to be wary of. These include:
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Puncture wound: Bites or stings usually leave a puncture mark around the bite area. Most spider species will leave two for the fangs, though some flying insects will leave just one.
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Swelling: The area around the bite is likely to swell.
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Redness: Bites usually appear red soon after a bite, or after itching. The redness is usually accompanied by swelling. The redness could also be a rash.
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Pain: Some bites will be painful, either to touch or with a general ache.
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Itching: Most bites, especially from mosquitos, will be itchy. Many children, and adults, can’t resist the urge to itch the area, but it can also cause other symptoms to worsen.
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Blistering: When an area has been itched too much, blisters may appear. These can also appear with some species.
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Heat: Around the bite area the skin will feel warmer, this is evidence of the body reacting to the venom in the bite.
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Numbness/tingling: Numbness and tingling are also common signs, especially with some species of spiders.
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Joint Pain: Some insect bites are known to cause joint pain for days or weeks after the initial bite.
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Headache: Some people experience headaches or feeling faint after being bitten by an insect.
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Trouble Breathing: Those who have a serious allergy to insect bites might suffer from respiratory problems after a bite.
If you experience any headaches, trouble breathing, or joint pain, you need to seek medical attention immediately. If you experience the other symptoms for a few days, it is best to seek medical attention.
Understanding itching and other common symptoms
Many people question why we itch or scratch insect bites, especially as doing so can cause worse reactions. However, the process is very simple. The insect bite releases saliva or venom into the body, normally as a numbing agent to prevent you from realising that you’re being bitten.
However, this saliva/venom stays in the body and contains protein which your body’s immune system identifies as an allergen. As a response, your body releases histamine, which is what causes inflammation, heat, and itchiness.
What is anaphylaxis, and how does it relate to insect bites?
One of the worst reactions you can get is anaphylaxis. This is a serious and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can happen whenever the body encounters an allergen. It can sometimes develop within seconds of the insect bite. There are numerous signs which include the following:
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Difficulty breathing, or feeling like you’re going to choke.
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Your lips, tongue, throat, or mouth swell.
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Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
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Rapid heart rate.
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Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
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Cramps or abdominal pain.
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Confusion/anxiety
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The skin turns bluish.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek urgent medical attention.
Emergency Response: When to Seek Help
While the majority of victims have limited issues with insect bites and you can treat them at home, there are people or even instances, when insect bites are more serious.
How to treat insect bite infections that worsen
The first option for any worsening symptoms of an insect bite is to apply a cold compress to the area. This should reduce any heat in the bite area. However, you should then seek medical attention.
A doctor might prescribe medications either to treat an infection or pain medication. Some people might be given antihistamines or steroid creams to help treat the areas.
Another treatment is rest, giving your body a chance to recover. However, don’t rely on this without seeing a doctor.
What to do if someone experiences anaphylactic shock
An anaphylactic shock can sometimes happen when someone has been bitten by an insect. The Better Health Channel has a procedure to help those nearby who are experiencing an episode.
These steps include:
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Lay the Patient Flat: Do not allow the individual to stand or walk. If they have lost consciousness, you should place them in a recovery position.
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Give an Adrenaline Injector: Use an adrenaline autoinjector into the outer mid-thigh. Many of those with known allergies carry these.
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Seek Help: Call an ambulance and anyone else who might be nearby, such as a family member or friend, to help.
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Monitor Breathing: If the individual has problems breathing, allow them to sit with their legs outstretched. If they’re unresponsive and not breathing, you might need to provide CPR.
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More Adrenaline: If there is no response after five minutes, more adrenaline might be required.
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Hospital: As soon as it is possible, transfer the individual to a hospital. They will be required to stay there for at least four hours of observation.
How to Treat Insect Bites at Home
Most people don’t require such drastic treatment and can be treated at home. Here are some home treatments that you can apply.
On the pictures above Envirobug Insect Bite & Itch Relief Patches 40 Pack
How to treat insect bites naturally and effectively
There are numerous ways that you can treat insect bites naturally. The first step should be to wash the area with soap and water and remove any stingers or foreign bodies in the bite area.
Then apply a cold compress to the area. Cold compresses should be used for between 10 and 20 minutes.
You might want to take some pain medication or apply some over-the-counter antihistamine creams to the area. But you might need to speak to your doctor first.
Home remedies: How to cure insect bites with simple solutions
There are numerous home remedies that you might want to use for bites. These include:
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A paste of baking soda and water to help you reduce itching.
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Soothe the area with aloe vera.
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Dull sensations with a few drops of diluted lavender.
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Reduce inflammation with witch hazel.
Specific Treatments for Bites and Stings
Not all insect bites can be treated the same. Here are some specific treatments that you might need depending on the type of invertebrate that you’ve been bitten by.
How to treat bee, wasp, and ant stings
With stings from these flying insects, be sure that the stinger is removed from the area. You should then apply a cold compress and any anti-stinging creams you want to apply and try to keep the sting area raised.
How to treat tick bites safely
You should seek to remove the tick immediately. Use tweezers to grasp its head and pull it out steadily and firmly. Do not twist/jerk the tick. You should not crush the tick. Once removed, clean the area and apply antiseptic cream.
How to treat mosquito bites and reduce swelling
One of the most common bites, you should clean, apply a cold compress, and then take any pain medication you would like.
How to treat scorpion and centipede stings effectively
Immediately wash the bite area and apply a cold compress. You might need to seek medical attention quickly.
How to treat caterpillar stings on the skin
Caterpillars pose an additional risk that their hair can stay on your skin. Use sticky tape to pull any remaining hair off the skin. You then need to follow similar processes you would do for other insects.
How to treat leech bites at home
If you’re bitten by a leech, then you need to remove the leech using either salt, salt water, or vinegar. These will make it fall off your skin. Then you can wash the bite area, before applying pressure for 15 minutes to stop bleeding and then apply an antibiotic cream before dressing the wound.
How to treat fire ant stings and prevent infection
Treating fire ant stings are similar to other insect bites. It's important to apply a cold compress to the area as soon as possible to reduce inflammation.
Prevention and Care
How can I prevent insect bites and stings?
There are numerous ways that you can prevent insect bites/stings which can include using insect traps and natural repellents.
Natural methods to avoid bites and stings in everyday life
There are numerous methods to avoid bites/stings which include not venturing near spots where the insects are active during dawn/evening when insects are most active. You can also use plants to help deter numerous insects such as Mother-in-Law’s tongue and garlic.
Final Word: How To Treat Insect Bites: Remedies, Tips, and Expert Advice
When it comes to insect bites, prevention is the best policy. But that isn’t always possible as insects can sometimes get around safeguards you have in place. This is why it is important to consider the above insect bite treatments and be sure you’re ready to act at any moment.
