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INSECT BITES

Insect bites, Ant bite, Bedbug bite, Flea bite, Tick bite - what are they ?

Insect and arachnid bites are usually tiny prick marks on he skin, which are temporarily painful or itchy. (Arachnids are about the size of insects, but have eight legs. These include mites, spiders, and ticks.) Most of their bites are merely irritative, although some may need medical attention. Dangerous insect bites include those of Aedes mosquitoes infected with the dengue fever/dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) virus and of the anopheles mosquitoes carrying the malarial parasite, which can transmit diseases to the person(s) bitten.

SYMPTOMS

Very small puncture mark on the skin.
Skin irritation.
Small, painless red bump; painful swelling.
Itch, sometimes intense.

COMPLICATIONS

Bacterial infection.
Viral infection (dengue fever/DHF).
Malaria.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water to prevent bacterial infection.
if the area is itchy, do not scratch, as the skin may break and get infected. If the itch is intolerable, stroke the bitten area with finger pads, not the nails.
Take simple antihistamines.

For an ant bite:
Apply a weak alkali (e.g., baking soda or dilute ammonia) to neutralize the formic acid released by the ant.

For a bedbug, flea, or mosquito bite:
Apply calamine lotion, antihistamine cream (anti-allergy medication),or surgical spirit to soothe the itch. Consult a doctor if symptoms of dengue fever or malaria are observed after a mosquito bite.

For a tick bite:
Dilute ammonia kills ticks. Alternatively, apply alcohol, oil. or petroleum jelly to loosen the ticks grip, then pluck it out with tweezers.
Apply calamine lotion to soothe the itch.

PREVENTION TIPS

When camping or picnicking, wear long pants, socks, and long-sleeved shirts for protection against bites from air-borne insects, particularly after dark.
When sitting on the ground or grass, spread out a mat or sheet for protection against bites from crawling insects.
Use insect repellent.
Dust your cats and dogs with flea powder regularly to keep them free from these parasitic insects.
Change linen and cushion covers regularly to keep them free from bed bugs, mites, etc.

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