Use shea butter to soothe insect bites.

The bites from mosquitoes, wasps, fleas, hornets, ants, bees or spiders are mostly harmless. However, in some individuals, they can present serious complications due to several factors.

Hymenoptera are stinging insects. They are divided into three subgroups:

• the Apidae which includes bees or bumblebees;

• the Vespidae which includes wasps or hornets;

• the Formicidae which include the non-winged red ants.

Insects from the Apidae group only sting when they feel threatened or agitated. At the moment of the sting, the stinger detaches from the rest of their body to embed itself in the victim's skin and inject venom. This venom generates local toxic reactions or allergic reactions, depending entirely on the venom dose and the victim's sensitivity.

In the case of vespids, the stinger remains attached to the rest of the body and can sting multiple times. The venom it injects contains phospholipase, hyaluronidases, and antigen 5 protein, which are quite allergenic. In the case of formicids, the ant bites to latch onto its victim and stings multiple times by sketching an arc with its body. The sting results in a central bite surrounded by an erythematous sting area. Venom containing formic acid is also introduced into the victim, causing allergic reactions.

Thus, the effects of stings from apids or vespids on the skin can vary. Sensations of burning, pain, itching, erythema, and hardening may occur. Allergic reactions can include itching, swelling, or respiratory distress.

The consequences of a formicidae bite present themselves as immediate pain accompanied by a vesicular lesion that subsides after about 45 minutes. In the case of an allergy to the venom, the lesion can lead to a dysfunction of certain organs, oedema, erythema, or pruritus.