Allergy to insect bites. Types of allergic reactions. Moderate and severe allergies. What to do if you are bitten by insects?

1.General information

Insect bites

- a phenomenon familiar to everyone. This is especially true in the summer, when most representatives of the order of arthropods can be found literally everywhere where there is land and sunlight.

Many insects (wasps, bees and others) when bitten, secrete a toxic liquid, which, when it enters the body of a hypersensitive person, causes allergic reactions. Despite the fact that they are rarely serious, causing only minor swelling and redness, the basic symptoms of allergies should be known to every person. This information will help you identify an allergy to insect bites in order to cope with it yourself or with medical help.

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Cause of compaction

There is no clear answer to why a lump appears after a mosquito bite. Experts say that this is a peculiar reaction of the body.

It is believed that bumps from mosquito bites in a child appear as a result of an “unsuccessful puncture.” Similar to how lumps remain on the human body after an injection. The needle enters the vessel, it is damaged, and blood is found at the puncture site. The next day a lump appears there, which does not disappear for a long time. May be present for six months.

If the bump after a mosquito bite is accompanied by severe itching and redness, it is said that there is an allergic reaction. The mosquito injects an anticoagulant under the skin that thins the blood. The substance facilitates the feeding process, but causes an allergic reaction. The result is swelling and redness, itching, and a lump may form.

A standard situation is when a lump appears on a child’s head from a mosquito bite. When first aid is provided, the swelling goes away, the redness disappears, the skin calms down, and is completely restored after a few days. The child stops scratching the sore spot half an hour after treating the epidermis.

Important!

If a large lump from a mosquito causes discomfort to the child, it hurts, itches very much, and in addition there is a deterioration in general health, it is necessary to give the child an antihistamine and treat the lump with antiallergic ointment.

2. Types of allergic reactions to insect venom

Each person’s body is individual and unique, therefore the consequences of the bite of the same insect on different people will be different in severity and nature of manifestation. However, there are three general types of allergic reactions to insect venom:

• Local type.
  This type of allergic manifestations to bites is more common than others. It is characterized by swelling of a large area of ​​the body and itching. For example, if the bite was on the hand, then the whole hand swells. As a rule, swelling is observed for several days after it, and then disappears.
• Normal type of reaction.
  A distinctive feature of this type of insect bite is the occurrence of pain, redness of the affected area of ​​the skin and the appearance of a small swelling.
• Allergic type.
  It represents the most dangerous result of an insect bite, when substances injected into the blood are detected by the human immune system as allergens - potentially harmful elements. Allergic manifestations develop instantly and can lead to serious complications, so it is very important to recognize them immediately and seek medical help.

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3.How to recognize an allergy to insect bites?

An allergic reaction to insect bites can be either severe or moderate. Let's look at the main signs of moderate allergies:

• swelling,
• increase in body temperature,
• itching,
• pain,
• minor rash.

Remember that if you suddenly have an allergic reaction to an insect bite, the chance of it happening again is about 60 to 70 percent. Therefore, it is very important for people prone to allergies to insect bites to take precautions while outdoors: use insect repellent, cover all easily accessible areas of the body with clothing, and have an antihistamine on hand in case a bite cannot be avoided. .

Acute allergies to insect bites most often occur due to the bites of stinging insects: wasps, bees, hornets and bumblebees. Bees can only sting once, after which they die, leaving the stinger and part of their entrails under the human skin. The stinging apparatus left by the bee for a few minutes after the sting releases poison, so if you are bitten by a bee, try to immediately remove the sting. Wasps and hornets can sting repeatedly. If you have been attacked by these insects in nature, go to another place in order to prevent their recurrence.

Signs of an allergy to stinging insect bites may include:

• swelling of the throat or face;
• difficulty swallowing and breathing,
• itching and rash;
• dyspnea;
• increased heart rate;
• feeling of restlessness and anxiety;
• dizziness;
• decrease in blood pressure.

Despite the fact that acute allergies to insect bites are quite rare, they are extremely dangerous. Just a few minutes after the poison enters the body, a person can develop anaphylactic shock. Moreover, he may suddenly lose consciousness and die. Therefore, at the first signs of an allergic reaction, the victim urgently needs medical attention.

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Folk remedies will help

Folk recipes for treating mosquito bites
When there is no store-bought remedy at hand, and the site of a mosquito bite causes a lot of inconvenience, proven folk methods will come to the rescue.

• Baking soda. It is a universal remedy in many situations. In case of a mosquito bite, soda will disinfect the wound and prevent the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. But the anti-inflammatory properties of the powder will play the most important role. It will help get rid of bite marks in one day. To do this, you need to prepare a soda solution by dissolving a teaspoon of powder in half a glass of water. Wipe the wound with the prepared liquid every 1.5-2 hours until symptoms disappear.
• Alcohol solutions. You can use special ones purchased at a pharmacy, or any liquid that you can find in the house. Even any strong alcoholic drink will help. They need to wipe the bumps from mosquito bites 2-3 times a day. You should not make long-term alcohol compresses so as not to dry out the skin.
• Aloe. A houseplant that in Soviet times could be found in every apartment. Its juice can quickly relieve inflammation and swelling. To do this, simply apply the cut leaf to the bite site and hold for 10-20 minutes. You can wrap it with a bandage and leave it for a longer time.
• Toothpaste. It can also anesthetize, dry and relieve inflammation. It is better to give preference to menthol ones, as the results will be noticeable faster from them. But if you don’t have one at hand, then you can take any other one.

On a note!

You can speed up the healing of bumps after mosquito bites using vinegar, tea tree oil, plantain juice or celandine.

4.What to do after an insect bite?

If you are bitten by a bee on your hand, you should immediately remove all rings and other jewelry, and then try to pull out the sting. It is important to carefully remove the sac filled with poison using any hard object. At the same time, try not to pull the bag or press on it, as in this case you will only speed up the injection of the poisonous liquid.

People who are not prone to developing allergic reactions to wasp and bee stings should take a tablet of any antihistamine: Tavegil, Fenkarol, Parlazin, Suprastin, etc. It is also worth applying a lotion soaked in any antiseptic to the stung area, and then lubricate it with a soothing ointment. Act according to the circumstances. For example, if your hand is very swollen and the swelling does not disappear for a long period of time, apply a cold compress or ice to the affected area of ​​skin. In such a situation, it would not be superfluous to take another antihistamine tablet.

It is important to monitor the condition of a person who has been bitten, as it can worsen at any time due to changes in blood pressure, an increase in body temperature, and the appearance of rashes on other areas of the skin. If necessary, you should call an ambulance.

Reviews

Soda is our best helper for many problems. When large bumps appear on the body after a mosquito bite and there is no strength to endure the itching, we simply prepare a paste of powder. To do this, add a small amount of water to the soda and apply the prepared solution to the affected area. After 10 minutes, rinse with warm water and lubricate with any baby cream. The same remedy can be used if the child has scratched the bites.

Anastasia, Rostov

When my husband began to develop huge bumps all over his body from mosquito bites, I was very scared. But then I remembered an old proven method. I anointed them with aloe juice and there was almost no trace left of the trouble.

Kristina, Sverdlovsk region

Causes of the problem

Severe swelling at the bite site on the forehead is formed due to the following reasons:

• Thin skin. Unlike other parts of the body, the epithelium on the face does not have a full layer of fat. Damage to the skin, including bites of blood-sucking insects, appears larger and swells more.
• Allergic reaction. A strong immune response of the child’s body to an irritant. The last thing to appear is mosquito saliva. In most cases, an allergic reaction manifests itself locally, but in the presence of hypersensitivity, systemic problems are also possible that require immediate medical attention.
• Secondary bacterial infection. The bite of a blood-sucking insect is very itchy. Because of this, the child mechanically scratches the skin at the site of damage, which provokes bacteria living on the palms and under the nails to enter the wound and microcracks in the epithelium.

Skin treatment after a mosquito bite

If young mothers do not know how to treat mosquito bites in children, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the variety of pharmaceutical drugs used to relieve itching, as well as effective traditional medicine that can relieve mild allergies and eliminate itching without harm to the child’s body.

Pharmacy products

To reduce itching in a child after a mosquito bite, you can use topical medications.

Such drugs include:

• sprays;
• gels;
• cream;
• ointments.

The composition of the drugs includes dimethindene, an antihistamine.

Effective remedies

1. Balm “Rescuer”. Ingredients: sea buckthorn oil, copper, vitamin complexes, thermal water, zinc, essential oils. The regenerating drug relieves itching, prevents infection, and promotes wound healing. Not contraindicated for pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants. Children's Rescuer - quick help for a child after a mosquito bite.
2. Mosquitail. The drug can be found in the form of a balm, spray, foam. Thanks to the included components, a series of medications helps relieve irritation and soothe itching. In addition, Mosquitail has an anti-inflammatory effect.
3. 1% hydrocortisone ointment. The hormonal drug very quickly copes with irritation and itching. Not contraindicated for pregnant women, infants, people with sensitive skin.
4. Biocon bite OFF. The cream is effective for swelling, the itching disappears immediately after use.
5. Fenistil gel. Indications for use: urticaria, skin redness, irritation. The gel is prohibited for pregnant women. When applying, it is advisable to use it pointwise, without rubbing the product into large areas of the skin.
6. Gardex Bady. It goes on sale in the form of a pencil, gel, balm, cream, and insect bite stick. The medicine is based on natural ingredients, which makes it completely safe for small children. Quickly copes with skin irritation and redness.

Homeopathic medicines Apis and Ledum are very popular. Single medications relieve irritation and heal the bite wound.

If mosquito attacks cause an allergic reaction, it is recommended to take antihistamines in the dosage prescribed by the doctor.

Folk remedies

To relieve children from itching after a mosquito bite, parents try to find a safe remedy to relieve irritation and not harm the child’s health. In the collection of folk wisdom there are a lot of recipes that will help cope with the consequences of a mosquito attack.

1. Applying cold objects. An effective way to relieve itching. Apply a coin, a piece of ice, or a cold compress to the affected area.
2. Soda. Baking soda is considered the safest remedy for fighting mosquito bites. Every housewife has one. To prepare the solution, you will need to pour water into a glass, take 1 tsp. soda and dissolve. A disc or gauze should be moistened in a soda solution, depending on the extent of the damage, and applied to the problem area. You can simply lubricate the irritated surface of the skin with the prepared solution.
3. Aloe, marigold, chamomile and natural preparations. Plant-based gels and creams have anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe, which is part of the preparations, has a less pronounced effect than a freshly cut leaf from a plant. To relieve itching, you can prepare a warm bath and add chamomile infusion to the water. If it is not possible to take a bath, you can wipe the damaged areas with the resulting infusion. You can buy calendula ointment or tincture at the pharmacy. Perfectly relieves irritation. In order not to damage the baby’s delicate skin when applying calendula tincture, it should be diluted with water in half the ratio.
4. Parsley, dandelion, mint, plantain. While walking down the street, if a child begins to scratch mosquito bites, it is recommended to find the listed herbs, rub between your fingers and lubricate the bite wounds with healing juice.
5. Anti-inflammatory and disinfectants. You can relieve itching and relieve swelling with boric alcohol, classic Zvezdochka, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide and Rescuer balm. Anti-inflammatory drugs include Fenistil gel. It is good because it relieves allergic manifestations.

If it does not disappear within 24 hours, the temperature rises, you should consult a doctor to prescribe an antihistamine. You need to do everything possible to prevent scratching the wound, because it can become infected.