*Causes and
Prevention
*Insect bites are also known as puncture wounds done by
insects themselves.
*Causes of an insect bite come from an injection or bite from
an insect releasing its saliva or venom into the body causing
a reaction of either swelling, redness, or a blister.
*Bites can come from spiders, ticks, bees, ( yellow jackets,
hornets, bumblebees, or wasps) etc.
*The type of skin someone has can determine the severity of
a reaction from an insect bite.
*To prevent an insect bite it is best to wear light colored
clothing, avoiding scented soaps and lotions, use insect
repellants, and avoid the general area where the insects nest
is.
*Signs and Symptoms
*An insect bite may cause a reaction to the skin depending on if the
person has already been bitten by the insect or not or the type of
skin the individual has.
*A bite will usually result in swelling, redness, itching,
or pain in
the general area that has been bitten.
*A bite can cause a life threatening allergic reaction and the victim
should seek immediate medical attention if so.
*A reaction does not always happen right away. If a reaction occurs
at a later time the symptoms may include fever, hives, painful
joints or swollen glands.
*Signs and symptoms of a severe reaction that needs medical
attention are fever, nausea, swelling of the face, or shock.
*An allergic reaction to an insect bite may include swelling,
wheezing, hives, unconsciousness, shortness of breath, or death.
*Treatment
* The first thing an individual should do if they experience a severe reaction
is to seek medical attention immediately.
* For mild cases it is best to put a cold pack on the affected area of the
insect bite.
* If the insect bite is not severe the best treatment is to clean the area with
soap and water and apply an antihistamine such as Benadryl or Calamine
lotion to relieve itching.
* If an individual is known to have allergic reactions to insect bites the
doctor will provide them with a anaphylaxis kit that includes a
epinephrine pen. The epinephrine pen should be injected into the skin
immediately after the bug has bitten the individual.
* The usual prescription for a patient who has been bitten by an insect is
either Benadryl, Steroids, or antibiotics. For people who may become
severely ill, an IV is started, oxygen is given, and a heart monitor is put on
the patient to measure their heart.
*Pictures and Illustrations
Ticks
Black Widow Spider
Tick Bite
Black Widow Spider Bite
Bulls-eye rash only occurs when
Lyme Disease occurs.
Bedbugs
Caterpillar Bite
Bee sting
Flea Bites
*Chiggers (Red Bugs)
*Causes and Prevention
* Chiggers are found on animals, but animals do not react the way
humans do to a chigger bite. Humans usually start to itch about two
hours after a bite and usually scratch the chigger away.
* To get rid of chiggers it is best to take a hot shower with plenty of
soap. This prevents the chiggers from feeding.
* A chigger bite usually results in itching. The itching is an allergic
reaction or it is the stylostome. Stylostome is a tube that the chigger
creates when it bites.
* Chiggers are very small so it is hard to prevent a bite, but there are
things an individual can do to try and prevent chigger bites.
* An individual can wear long sleeves and long pants that is made of
tight woven fabric, tuck your pants into boots, use insect repellants,
and take a hot shower after working in an area that may be infested.
*Signs and Symptoms
*A chigger bite is not noticeable at first. About two hours after
a bite, symptoms begin.
*Itching is the most common symptom of a chigger bite.
*The area of the bite may be red, flat or raised, and can
resemble a blister.
*The itching may last up to two days and can be very intense.
*Itching may stop within a few days, but it may take weeks for
the area to heal completely.
*Treatment
* Scratching can kill eventually kill a chigger because by
scratching the individual is removing the chigger.
* Itching is the most common symptom, so to relieve the
itching it is best to apply antihistamines and corticosteroid
creams to the area.
* A common home remedy it to apply clear finger nail polish
to the area.
* Benadryl can also be taken to relieve itching.
*Pictures and Illustrations
Chigger Bites
Chiggers
Chiggers are
very small.
*Citations
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Bicknese, Nina. "Chiggers! | MDC." MDC |. Conservation Commission of Missouri. Web. 12 Feb. 2012.
<http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/avoid-outdoor-pests/chiggers>.
Diaz, Mites JH, and Arthropods and Leeches D. Schlossberg. "Chiggers: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." National
Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. A.D.A.M., Inc., 15 Sept. 2010. Web. 12 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001333.htm>.
Healthwise, Incorporated. "Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites-Topic Overview." First Aid Guide and Emergency
Treatment Instructions. 26 Jan. 2010. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <http://firstaid.webmd.com/tc/insect-bites-and-stings-andspider-bites-topic-overview>.
Martin, Md, Laura J. "Bug Bites Pictures Slideshow: Identifying Bugs and Bug Bites - WebMD." WebMD - Better
Information. Better Health. WebMD, LLC, 15 Aug. 2011. Web. 12 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.webmd.com/allergies/ss/slideshow-bad-bugs>.
Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Insect Bites and Stings: First Aid - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical
Education and Research, 15 Jan. 2010. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-insectbites/FA00046>.
Stöppler, MD, Melissa Conrad. "Chiggers (Bites) Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment by MedicineNet.com."
MedicineNet.com. MedicineNet, Inc, 10 June 2009. Web. 12 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.medicinenet.com/chiggers_bites/article.htm>.
Townsend, Lee, and Mike Potter. "Chiggers | University of Kentucky Entomology." Learning, Discovery, Service | in the
College of Agriculture. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, June 2008. Web. 12 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef630.asp>.
WebMD, Inc. "Insect Bites: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention on EMedicineHealth.com."
Emedicinehealth.com. Healthwise, Incorporated. Web. 12 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.emedicinehealth.com/insect_bites/article_em.htm>.
Wilson, Tracy V. "HowStuffWorks "Chigger Prevention"" HowStuffWorks "Science" HowStuffWorks, Inc. Web. 12 Feb.
2012. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/zoology/insects-arachnids/chigger4.htm>.