Insect Bite Rashes

Those who have been bitten by insects in the past, must be aware of skin rashes caused from the bites. Needless to say that these rashes could be extremely troublesome and painful. A rash is defined as the change in the appearance of skin's color or texture. Rashes that are caused due to insect bites are red, and occur as itchy bumps on the skin. These bumps or swollen parts are distributed randomly on the skin. Most insect bit rashes are similar in their appearance. However, they differ in their nature and occurrence according to the insect, that has inflicted the wound. The list given below describes the most common types of insect bite rashes. The insect bite allergic reactions and the probable insect bite infections have also been described below.

Bed Bug Bite
The bites from a bed bug is in the form of large wheels in orderly rows. The rash begins with itching and skin redness. The itching starts usually after an hour the person has been bitten. The development of the rash depends on the body's reaction to the bed bug saliva. For some people the rash may not appear for a day or so. Rash starts with localized swelling, blisters, or inflamed red round bumps. The rash may appear as a single swollen bump before it spreads and it also causes small losses of skin tissue. If the rash continues spreading, it means that the person is still being bitten by bed bugs. The wheels-like rash may stay swollen for few days and gradually fade away.

Mosquito Bite Rash
Rash from a mosquito bite is a form of severe reaction. The rash has appearance similar to blisters or bruises, with redness and itching around the bitten areas. The saliva that mosquito uses to suck blood from the body, can cause immune reactions. People who suffer from uncommon, large areas of swelling are diagnosed with 'Skeeter Syndrome' - an allergic reaction. Other reactions that rarely occur, include anaphylaxis, urticaria and angioedema or asthma symptoms.

Chigger Bite Rash
Chigger is a type of mite. It inflicts wounds around the waist, ankles, or in warm skin folds. The person may not be aware immediately about a chigger bite. The itching occurs after several hours of the bite, and small raised red lesions develops around the bitten area. The symptoms are similar to that in case of touching poison ivy or oak. Rashes usually develop around areas that have been exposed to sunlight, and they get worse with itching.

Tick Bite Rash
Tick bite is painless and is usually not felt until a lump develops. This lump is actually the tick that is attached to the skin. Most ticks are not carriers of any disease, however some of them transmit serious illnesses. Some of these illnesses are associated with rash. The most common are rocky mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease. The Lyme disease is one cause for the rash to appear. A period of one to four weeks after a tick bite, the characteristic rash appears. The rash starts at the location of the bite and develops around the wrists and ankles, before it spreads to the whole body. It is a flat round patch and mimics a bull's eye.

Flea Bite Rash
Rash by a flea bite appears as small itchy bumps that may bleed. These swollen itchy spots have a single puncture at the center. The rash is caused due to the flea's saliva that triggers allergic reaction. The rash is inflamed and appears in clusters or lines of two bites. The itching and inflammation may continue for several weeks before they subside.

Spider Bite Rash
There are rare cases of spider bites in the U.S, and moreover most of these insects are actually harmless, except the black widow and brown recluse spider. They are commonly found in the southern states of the U.S. A black widow bite may not even alert the victim, although it is said that the bite feels like a pin prick. There would be one or two red fang marks, redness, and the bitten area may feel tender. These symptoms may be followed by muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, seizure, and spiking blood pressure thus, immediate medical help is required.

A brown recluse spider's bite is often painless but initially. The symptoms start with local redness, formation of blisters, red rash in the form of a bull's eye, and pain. Other symptoms that may be caused as a reaction to the poison may include mild fever, listlessness, nausea, elevated blood pressure, and joint pain.

Allergic Reactions Causes by Bites
Apart from minor swelling, itching, rashes and pain, some people also suffer from acute allergic reactions caused from insect bites. It is important to treat allergic reactions that occur from insect bites as according to experts, they could be life-threatening. Some severe allergic reactions experienced by people bit by insects may include:

• Anaphylaxis
• Shock
• Suffocation
• Feeling of fullness in the mouth or throat
• Swelling in different parts of the body like tongue, ears, eyelids, mucous membrane
• Confusion (not able to think right)
• Nausea accompanied by stomach cramps and diarrhea

Serious toxic reactions are caused by stings of a black widow spider, brown recluse spider, scorpion, puss caterpillar, etc. Bee, wasps, and fire ants also cause toxic reactions through their stings.

Infection Caused by Bites
It is obvious to understand the risk of infection that may occur at the site where the insect has bitten. That is why it becomes important to keep the wound clean and dry. Use anti-bacterial medications to clean the wound and keep away from dirt and the like. Infections make the wounds worse and more painful, thereby increasing the recovery time.

Treatment
One of the simplest home remedies for soothing pain and irritation is the application of ice. Apply ice pack on the bitten area, as soon as you come to know about it. Do not scratch the itching area, as it can only make it worse. Lotions which are Calamine based, help ease itching and swelling. Tea tree oil is also beneficial. Thick paste of baking soda and water or solution of meat tenderizer and water are also some home remedies for treating rash. Quick lime is also an efficient product which prevents infection from spreading further. It also acts as a beneficial antiseptic.

Early treatment for insect bite rashes is the only way to prevent serious infections, swelling and pain. Do not let the bite stay as it is, hoping that it will subside by itself. Although rare, certain bites have also resulted in deaths. So, the first thing is to avoid coming in the vicinity of any kind of insects. However, if bitten or stung, you should follow the treatment procedures promptly.