Insect Bite Treatments

Most insects bite only when they are provoked. But once they do, they may create a variety of conditions that cause trouble to the overall well being of an individual. While usually an insect bite may just lead to a painful swelling or itching, there are chances of contracting a disease if the insect is a microbe carrying vector. The malaria disease is a common example of a vector-based disease that is caused due to insect bites.

Many insects may inject venom into the body after the bite. If one is allergic to the venom, it will create a condition known as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a dangerous allergic reaction that triggers a sudden release of chemicals in the body that leads to hives and swelling in the face and throat. These chemicals may also cause the airways in the lung to get constricted and hence result in difficulty in breathing. All this because of one teeny-weeny insect! So what are the common insect bite treatments?

Insect Bite Remedies
Insect bite treatments vary based on the effect that the bite has had on you. Sometimes it is just a painful swelling that causes itching. Firstly, you should clean out the area which has been bitten using an anti-bacterial soap. It is very important to clean out the bitten area as you should avoid bacteria from the atmosphere and on your skin trying to gain entry into your body. Sometimes there may also be some stray microbes on the sting of the insect. Hence in order to avoid this consequence, it is necessary that you wash the wound. Also avoid scratching the wound as you will either be rubbing the bacteria into your body or spreading them over your skin, beyond just the part which has been bitten. Scratching will also cause breakdown of the skin. Applying cloth dipped in cold water can provide insect bite relief. You can also use an anti-itch cream like Calamine lotion.

If a bee stings you and it has left its stinger behind, it should be carefully removed otherwise you might end up injecting more venom into your body. Never remove the stinger using a tweezer as you will squeeze the stinger further and it will push more toxins into your body. Always try to scrape off the stinger using a dull blade.

In case you are allergic to insect venom, there is a good chance that you are going to get anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis may be life threatening and needs immediate medical attention. In case you have a history of anaphylaxis following an insect bite, make sure you have epinephrine injections at hand. While this problem is seen mainly in small children, adults may not outgrow it. Adults suffering from anaphylaxis may consider venom immunotherapy. If not, it is always useful to have epinephrine shots at hand.

There are chances of the bite getting compounded into a full blown infection due to excessive scratching. Such an infection occurs within 24 hours of the bite and causes red streaks and fever. To fight this, antibiotics may be prescribed according to the nature of the infection for insect bite treatment.

Insect Bite Prevention
Insect bites are best prevented, especially by those who have an anaphylaxis problem. Use full sleeved clothes when outdoors. It is not possible to be fully clothed all the time, especially during the hot summers. In such cases, make sure that you apply insect repellents when you venture outdoors. Keep the windows of your house closed in the evening as bugs are usually scouting around. Use mosquito repellents in the evening. You can also use insect nets while sleeping. All these measures will avoid the need for insect bite treatments.