Insect Bites and Stings

A co-worker’s husband was bitten by a tick and ended up in the hospital for over a week. It was very serious for a time but he is recovering from his ordeal. So, with that in mind I thought I would write about some of the insects that bite and sting for this month’s newsletter.

Most insects would simply be classified as pests. Their bites hurt or itch for a while, but soon go away. Some, though, can be really serious. Ticks, as mentioned above, can cause serious health problems in humans. We have all heard of Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever and there are others as well. These diseases are transmitted to humans from the bite of a tick. West Nile virus is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes and usually only produce mild symptoms in healthy people but can be very serious to someone with a poor immune system. And even though you may have been stung by a bee and had no previous reaction, allergic reactions can still occur, so be aware.

Tips for preventing and treating bites and stings:

• Be sure to use window screens if you are going to leave a window open.
• Avoid wooded brushy and grassy areas if possible.
• Don’t wear scented soaps, lotions or perfumes while hiking or extended outdoor activities.
• Use caution eating and drinking outside. Pour canned beverages into see-through cups, or be sure to keep open drinks covered.
• Create a diversion: Put cups of soda or a protein source at a distance from the picnic table.
• Be sure to put a lid on trashcans.
• Don’t wear bright colors, which attract bees.
• Wear long sleeves and long pants when possible.
• Tuck pants legs into socks or shoes.
• Check inside gloves, hats and sleeves and pants before putting them on and always check carefully before crawling into a sleeping bag.
• Wear a hat for extra protection.
• Get rid of containers with standing water that give mosquitoes a place to breed. This includes water in flowerpots, birdbaths and outdoor pet dishes.
• Check pets for ticks.
• If stung, scrape the stinger in a side-to-side motion with a straight edge object like a credit card squeeze out the venom immediately, then wash with soap and water and disinfect with antibiotic ointment. A cold compress or ice on the area can reduce swelling.
• Use insect repellent if nonchemical methods are ineffective and you spend time in tall grass and wooded areas.

If you are like me and are the tasty treat for mosquitoes and other biting bugs some suggestions for relief for the itching and pain would include: Topical OTC drugs that are applied to the skin labeled “topical analgesics” or “skin protectants” can provide itch and pain relief for short periods of time. These can be applied as often as necessary to provide relief. Over the counter antihistamines and drugs such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can also provide relief from the pain of bites and stings. A reminder for children to keep their finger nails short and keep them from scratching. If they break the skin it could lead to a bacterial infection that could require treatment with antibiotics.

Most bites and stings are minor and can be treated at home but be aware of allergic reaction symptoms. These signs may occur within seconds to minutes and include sneezing, wheezing, hives, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sudden anxiety, dizziness, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and itching or swelling of the eyes, lips, or other areas of the face. This requires immediate action and warrants calling 9-1-1 immediately.