Wondering when an insect bite necessitates a medical visit? Read on to learn more about when to visit a primary care clinic. Some insect bites and stings may cause significant problems, allergic responses, and even death without treatment.
Most insect bites and stings may be treated at home, thankfully. People in locations where insects are prevalent should learn to recognize the signs of different bites and the symptoms they might trigger. This will allow you to determine whether you should treat the bite at home, at a primary care clinic, or in an emergency department.
Many insects can bite or sting. However, most are not harmful and will go away without doing anything — although one might experience moderate itching. The ones that are harmful to humans and may require further attention include:
Bees are important for pollination, but their sting can cause severe discomfort. It may be fatal to people who are allergic to it. The sting is usually followed by pain, redness, and swelling. Those who have an allergy, on the other hand, may have difficulty breathing, tongue swelling, nausea, hives, and extreme itching. These people should seek emergency care right away.
While mosquito bites are often innocuous, the insect is a vector for illnesses like the West Nile virus and Zika. Anyone who has been bitten by a mosquito and later has nausea, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, a rash, or a persistent headache should promptly seek medical attention.
Although a spider bite generally poses more harm than a mosquito bite, most spider species will not bite humans. A black widow spider can cause dangerous blood pressure spikes and seizures that require immediate medical attention. Meanwhile, the bite of the brown recluse mostly affects the skin. Before going black and blistering, it appears like a red bullseye and needs to be treated immediately. A spider bite is usually innocuous unless the person is experiencing fever, chills, or nausea.
Unlike most other insects, ticks attach themselves to the skin when they bite. Tick bites are not exactly harmful, but they spread Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. If a rash, fever, or muscular pains occurs after being bitten by a tick, patients should seek medical attention from a primary care clinic. Even without any symptoms, it is a good idea to have a tick bite checked. Medical assistance is necessary if removing the tick is difficult.
Ant bites are one of the most painful bites. The toxin carried by fire ants causes red, blistering markings on the skin. They also tend to attach to their victim and bite multiple times. While a single sting is not harmful, a series of bites over a short period causes the toxin to accumulate. Symptoms of an allergic response include trouble breathing, dizziness, and hives.
Insect bites that cause an allergic response or a severe reaction should be taken seriously. If you have been stung and are experiencing symptoms like hives, trouble breathing, nausea, dizziness, or facial swelling, go to the emergency department. In most other cases, a primary care clinic can help you treat an insect bite, especially when there is no allergic response.
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