How to respond to an insect bite?

During the summer season, the heat encourages the significant presence of all kinds of insects. Most of these bite or sting in order to defend themselves or their territory. Generally, this situation occurs when we get too close to them and/or make sudden movements. They then perceive a threat and defend themselves by stinging.

Furthermore, certain insects such as mosquitoes and ticks bite and sting in order to feed. For instance, in mosquitoes, only the females bite to sustain themselves on human blood for reproduction purposes.

Some bites are completely painless (such as those from mosquitoes) while others can be painful. Generally, an allergic reaction to the venom deposited by the insect's labrum (mouth) or its sting occurs subsequently.

The vast majority of insect bites are benign and the discomfort they cause is minor. However, in cases of allergy to an insect's venom and depending on the location of the bite, some bites can be severe or even fatal.

The risks vary depending on the insect involved and the area bitten. Generally, bites and/or stings cause redness, inflammation, itching or pain.

• Bee, wasp and hornet stings

  These insects use their stinger to pierce the skin and inject venom. The risks then depend on the amount of venom injected and also the exposed area. Usually, the sting causes a redness to appear on the stung part. Then, this red area will harden, swell and sometimes itch. All of this will disappear after a few hours, except in the case of an allergy where the stings can cause a anaphylactic shock or a Quincke's edema, two physical manifestations that can be fatal.

• Mosquito Bites

  They are generally not painful but they itch a lot. They take the form of small, round, swollen bumps and appear shortly after the bite. In tropical regions, certain varieties of mosquitoes, such as the tiger mosquito, can transmit various diseases through their bites (yellow fever, malaria, dengue, etc.).

• Tick bites

  They are recognisable as they form unusual black spots on the skin. These actually correspond to the bodies of ticks, their heads being embedded under the skin to better suck the blood.Their bites can transmit various diseases, including Lyme disease, which is linked to an infection by the bacteriumBorrelia. After a trip into nature, it is therefore important to thoroughly check one's body and skin to detect any ticks.

The appropriate responses to adopt in the event of bites also vary depending on the insects involved.

• Bee, wasp and hornet stings

  The first instinct should be to remove the sting by lightly scraping it with a fingernail, a plastic card, or the back of a knife. To identify the sting, it resembles a black dot on the skin. It takes about a minute to empty its venom. It is crucial not to use tweezers, which risk squeezing the sting and thus spreading more venom into the body. Once the sting is removed, it is recommended to disinfect the bite using an antiseptic solution to limit the risk of infection.

  Caution, if the sting occurs in the throat or on the tongue, it is necessary to immediately call for emergency assistance or go to the emergency department, as this can obstruct breathing.

• Mosquito Bites

  Mosquito bites cause itching, but it is crucial not to scratch to prevent spreading the inflammation. It is better to place a cold compress, an ice cube, or a chilled cloth over it. The cold soothes the itching for a while.

  Tip: apply a plaster to the mosquito bite to prevent scratching.

• Tick bites

  Thesemites feed on the blood of other living beings. They are particularly active from May to October and are mainly found in tall grasses and ferns, around the edges of forests.

  Thus, after spending time in nature, it is important to examine your skin. If you notice a raised black spot, it could potentially be the body of a tick. To remove it, gently grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it out slowly but firmly. To avoid breaking the mouthparts (the rostrum) and thereby leaving the head under the skin, a circular motion should be made. This pulling-rotating motion, performed perpendicular to the skin, allows the entire tick to be removed. It is perfectly acceptable to ask your pharmacist to perform this action, to ensure it is done with precision.

  Let's remember that a tick bite is not dangerous,provided it is treated in a timely manner!
  

Most insect bites and stings are harmless. However, if the redness continues to spread and becomes very painful, it is necessary to consult your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible.

Furthermore, if symptoms such as chills, sweats, drop in blood pressure, discomfort, vomiting appear, it is advisable to contact emergency services.

In conclusion, after an insect bite, it is always better to remain vigilant to the slightest symptoms. If you have any doubt about the severity of the bite/sting, do not hesitate to consult your general practitioner!