Question By: Getting a bug bite can be a creepy experience, especially if you don't know what tiny creature left you with that red, throbbing welt on your skin. Don't panic. Most bug bites and stings from common insects are harmless and heal quickly. But some bug bites and stings, like those from fire ants, wasps, hornets, and bees, may cause intense pain or even a serious allergic reaction. Others, like poisonous spider bites, require immediate emergency medical care.
It's hard to distinct insect bites and stings without the proper resources. Read ahead to find out how to tell the difference between bug bites.
Bed Bug Bites: Leave a small bite mark on the skin that is red and itchy or in rare cases causes a serious allergic reaction.
Symptoms:
1. Initial burning sensation
2. Itching
3. Possible to have no reactions, and bite goes unseen
Treatment:
1. Clean the bite site with soap and water
2. Apply a topical cream from the pharmacy
Flea Bites: Leave an itchy welt on the skin, often on the ankles and legs.
Symptoms:
1. Very itchy
Treatment:
1. Wash the bite site with soap and water
2. Apply an ice pack to bite site to reduce swelling
3. Apply a topical cream from the pharmacy/chemist
Mosquitoes: Leave a raised, itchy pink skin bump or in rare cases a severe allergic reaction.
Symptoms:
1. Itching
Treatment:
1. Clean the sting site with soap and water
2. Apply an ice pack to the sting site/s
3. Apply a topical cream from the pharmacy/chemist
Bees and Wasps: In individuals without bee and wasp allergies, the evidence of a bee or wasp sting is generally a swollen, red welt and a small white spot along with sharp, instantaneous pain.
Treatment:
1. Remove the stinger immediately (can be done with a credit card)
2. Clean the sting site with soap and water to remove the venom
3. Apply an ice pack to the sting site
4. Antihistamine tablets, Topical creams/lotions are available at your local chemist
5. If you have known allergies to bees/wasps, seek medical attention immediately.
Spider bites cause minor symptoms like red skin, swelling, and pain at the site or very serious symptoms that need emergency care.
Symptoms:
1. Widow spiders: muscle cramps and pain, increased blood pressure, sweating, skin rash
2. Violin spiders: anemia, blood in the urine, fever, rash, nausea, vomiting and even coma (rare)
Treatment:
If you have been bitten by a deadly/dangerous spider, please seek medical attention immediately by calling 000. To find out which Australian spiders are classified as deadly/dangerous, click here!
For more information, visit https://www.flick.com.au/blog/insect-bite-identification/
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