How to distinguish and treat insect bites

More than a million known species of insects populate our planet. Most of them are harmless and sometimes very pretty to look at: ladybugs, dragonflies or butterflies – our sympathies just fly to them. But some insects make it really difficult for us to close them in our hearts. Mosquitoes are at the top of the unpopularity scale. When the temperature rises, they are particularly eager to visit us. It’s maddening! But wasps, mosquitoes and other troublemakers can spoil our desire for the beautiful season. Consequences of unwanted encounters: itchy, painful and reddened skin.

Insect bites: caution is advised!

dr Kerstin Lommel works as chief physician in the clinic for dermatology and allergology at the HELIOS Klinikum Berlin-Buch. She knows about the pests. “First of all, we should be clear about who we are actually dealing with. There are insects with a venomous sting that is used for defense, and there are those that use their stingers to suck blood,” explains the doctor. The latter representatives include female mosquitoes. They need our blood as a food source for their egg production.

“When it stings , the insect secretes anticoagulant and blood-thinning substances. This creates a wheal that can be very itchy ,” says the doctor. The reaction of most of us? Scratch like crazy! Even though we learned as children: stay away from mosquito bites. “Scratching only makes the itch worse. There is also a risk of bacteria penetrating the skin through the resulting wound. Then serious infections are possible,” warns the expert.

How to distinguish insect bites

Mosquito: It leaves behind a small wheal with a glassy, ​​bright puncture site. We then feel a pea-sized swelling with lumps under the skin. Although there is no pain, the skin also becomes red and warm. In tropical countries, mosquitoes can transmit dangerous diseases such as malaria.

Black flies : In contrast to mosquitoes, they do not poke with a proboscis, but “saw” the skin with their mouthparts. Insidious: The insect silently flies towards its victim and causes severely painful bites. Small hemorrhages create a blue-black spot that gets bigger every day.

Horseflies: On hot, muggy days, we often see these bloodsuckers on cattle pastures and near water. Typical of the painful horsefly bite: swelling and a red wheal – significantly larger than that of a mosquito bite. A small depression often forms in the center of the swollen area.

Wasp: She is attracted to smells (sweet and savory), so be careful when eating outdoors! The sting feels (and looks) similar to that of a bee: the skin swells and turns red. In addition, there is sometimes severe pain. Incidentally, unlike bees, wasps are able to pull their stingers out of the skin unharmed.

Bee: The small, downy-brownish bees only sting when they feel threatened. The sting gets stuck, the bee dies after its attack. Use tweezers to gently pull out the stinger as quickly as possible. The stings are red, they swell, and they are usually very painful and itchy.

Flea: He mainly targets dogs and cats. But humans are also occasionally bitten by both male and female specimens. Then there are punctiform reddening of the skin, which are close together and extremely itchy. Please do not scratch – infections are easily possible.

Tick: A tick bite is usually very easy to recognize for a very specific reason: in most cases, the tick is still stuck in the skin. She lingers there and sucks blood. If it remains undetected, it does so for up to 15 days. Even if the sting has been removed, it should still be monitored. As soon as a ring forms around the flat, coin-sized reddening, which gets bigger and bigger, this can be a sign of Lyme disease.

Bed bugs:  Bed bugs are usually brought home in the luggage from a holiday destination and can become a major burden because you cannot get rid of them so quickly. Bed bug bites are similar to those of mosquitoes and fleas, but can also be reminiscent of an allergic reaction. The stitches are usually close together. Another indication: Since bed bugs are nocturnal, you will notice the bites in the morning. In addition, the stitches often bleed, which is why there may be blood on the bed sheets. Cold or heat helps – also refrain from scratching.

Differentiate insect bite reactions

Insect bites can generally be divided into three stages. Local reactions affect an area of ​​skin smaller than ten centimeters and are usually accompanied by redness, swelling and itching. However, the symptoms usually subside after 24 hours. A larger local reaction , on the other hand, affects a much larger area of ​​skin. Dizziness, swelling of the surrounding joints and nausea can also occur. Shortness of breath is often a sign of an allergic reaction . This should always be taken seriously, as in the worst case it can trigger a life-threatening anaphylactic shock. So call an ambulance immediately if an insect bite causes such a reaction. 

Treat insect bites

Normally, after a sting, the swelling goes down over the course of a few hours. However, the itching persists for a few days. Then soothing, soothing gels can help . Only in the case of inflamed, severely swollen bites is it advisable to use creams containing cortisone (from pharmacies). “Immediately after the sting, regardless of which insect, a cold compress relieves swelling and pain,” says the dermatologist. The “hot” tip of another method: apply concentrated heat to the area as soon as possible after the sting. This breaks down the toxins and prevents the release of substances that cause itching. You can get battery-operated devices in pharmacies and onlinethat are about the size of an electric toothbrush and fit in any handbag.

Insect bites: when is medical treatment necessary?

If symptoms related to the insect bite in question last longer than a few days, you should also consult a doctor. The same applies if the sting in question swells particularly and the skin is tight, pus appears at the puncture site, you feel ill or your lymph nodes swell – these symptoms indicate an inflammation.

Be careful with bites in the mouth and throat

In the case of insect bites in the mouth and throat, you should always seek medical treatment as soon as possible. When the mucous membrane swells, it can cause shortness of breath. The swelling can narrow the airways and cause suffocation. They recognize insect bites in this area:

• sudden pain after eating or drinking
• rapid swelling of the lips or tongue
• whistling or snorting noises when breathing
• shortness of breath

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Prevent insect bites

Fly screens in front of windows and doors keep insects indoors as good as possible. Outdoors, lotions applied to the skin do this. Only chemically synthetic substances achieve the best effect here – these are a must for protection against infectious diseases when traveling to the tropics! Those who prefer natural substances can use ingredients such as rosemary, cedar and peppermint oil. They spread a pleasant scent and keep mosquitoes and flies at bay, as well as ticks. A mosquito net over the bed can ensure a quiet mosquito-free night.

To drive away wasps, we can take advantage of the somewhat strong aroma of clove oil. The insects can’t stand the scent. You can evaporate the oil in an aroma lamp or alternatively spike lemons or oranges with cloves. You should also avoid making hasty movements, hitting or blowing on bees, wasps and hornets. It can also help to cover food outside at a barbecue or picnic so as not to attract the animals. You should also be careful not to step into bees and the like when walking barefoot and get stung.

Especially in summer it is important to pay attention to personal hygiene. This can also help  prevent horsefly  bites, as the animals are attracted to sweat. Areas where the bloodsuckers are more common should also be avoided – these include, for example, lakes and other bodies of water, pastures or farms.

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