Insect bites and stings

Insect bites and stings are among the most com­mon reasons for sud­den­ly appearing, itchy skin chan­ges. In most cases they are harm­less and heal within a few days. What mat­ters is reco­g­nis­ing all­er­gic reac­tions early.

Cau­ses

During a bite or sting, sali­va or venom enters the tis­sue and trig­gers an inflamm­a­to­ry reac­tion. Mos­qui­toes, hor­se­flies, fleas and mites typi­cal­ly cau­se itchy weals, bees and wasps pain­ful swel­ling. How strong the reac­tion is depends on indi­vi­du­al sensitivity.

Sym­ptoms

Typi­cal are a red­den­ed weal or papu­le with a cen­tral punc­tu­re site, itching and local swel­ling. Swel­ling lar­ger than ten cen­ti­me­t­res is con­side­red an enhan­ced local reac­tion. War­ning signs of a gene­ra­li­sed all­er­gic reac­tion are weals all over the body, short­ness of breath, diz­ziness and cir­cu­la­to­ry symptoms.

Tre­at­ment

Coo­ling reli­e­ves itching and swel­ling, and anti-inflamm­a­to­ry gels and, if nee­ded, anti­hist­ami­nes help in addi­ti­on. Scrat­ching should be avo­ided, as it can lead to bac­te­ri­al infec­tion. If the­re are signs of a gene­ra­li­sed reac­tion, imme­dia­te medi­cal help is requi­red; after a seve­re reac­tion to bee or wasp venom an aller­gy work-up is advisable.