Insect bites

Relevant insects in Germany

Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes are often around water and like the smell of sweat and dark clothing. Your stings are initially expressed through pain and itchy wheals. A mosquito bite has a red, circular appearance with a small puncture mark in the center.

Bees and wasps: Bee and wasp stings cause redness, swelling and pain. Their poisons can cause local allergic reactions up to anaphylactic (allergic) shock.

Bees only sting when disturbed. A bee stinger has a barb that is often left in the wound. This is why bees can only sting once. Wasps , on the other hand, are much more aggressive. Because wasps build their nests near humans, wasp stings are much more common than bee stings. The barb of a wasp sting is less developed than that of a bee and does not remain in the wound. That is why wasps can sting several times.

Horseflies: Horseflies stay near cow pastures and farms. They feed not only on human blood, but above all on the blood of grazing animals. They are particularly active in the summer months and are attracted by the smell of sweat. Their stings are painful but mostly harmless.

Ticks:Ticks mainly live in forests and on lawns. They suck the blood from the body regions with the thinnest skin areas such. B. back of the knees, lower legs or the groin area. In children, they are often found in the head and neck area, at the hairline or behind the ears. Ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and TBE (tick-borne encephalitis). A tick filled with blood can grow up to 1.5 cm. If you spot a tick, it is best to remove it immediately with tweezers/tweezers/tick card to prevent transmission of pathogens. Because of the mechanism by which a tick draws blood, it’s more commonly referred to as a “tick bite” than a “tick bite.” The tick bite can cause a ring-shaped reddish skin inflammation with a central brightening (reddening). This is a sign of Lyme disease, an infectious disease that can be transmitted by infected ticks. Although a tick bite is necessary to contract Lyme disease, the disease is not as common as one might think since, on average, only one in ten bites from an infected tick results in Lyme disease. In this case, antibiotic treatment is necessary. The absence of such skin changes does not exclude a tick bite. as is thought since, on average, only every tenth bite of an infected tick leads to Lyme disease. In this case, antibiotic treatment is necessary. The absence of such skin changes does not exclude a tick bite. as is thought since, on average, only every tenth bite of an infected tick leads to Lyme disease. In this case, antibiotic treatment is necessary. The absence of such skin changes does not exclude a tick bite.

Insect bite symptoms

The symptoms after an insect sting or bite depend on the type of insect, the insect venom and the location of the bite. For example, people who have been bitten in the oropharynx can develop more severe symptoms because the swelling caused by the insect bite can block the airways. Typical symptoms of an insect bite include:

• Pains
• redness
• swelling
• itching
• Burn
• numbness
• tingle

In isolated cases, especially a wasp or bee sting, there is a severe allergic reaction to the insect venom (anaphylactic shock). This can be life-threatening and must be treated immediately by a doctor. The following symptoms can occur in anaphylactic shock:

• Difficulty breathing up to shortness of breath
• Swelling of the face, neck or lips
• confusion
• Rapid heartbeat
• rash all over the body
• nausea and vomiting
• stomach pain
• circulatory shock with unconsciousness

If you experience one or more of the symptoms listed above after an insect bite, you should call an ambulance or go to the emergency room. It can be a life-threatening situation.

Diagnosis of insect bites

Insect stings or bites often have a very specific appearance. To narrow down the type of insect after a sting, the doctor may ask you the following questions:

• Have you been around animals (e.g. dogs, horses)?
• Did the skin changes appear after a walk in the woods?
• have you been abroad
• Do you have any known allergies?
• Have you been in unsanitary places?

In certain situations, skin and blood tests may be required.

When to seek help for bug bites

You should consult a doctor if the skin changes (redness, swelling) remain unchanged for several days. You should also consult a doctor if you have one or more of these symptoms:

• difficulty breathing
• Swelling in the head or neck area
• tiredness or feeling sick
• Fever
• difficulties swallowing

You can do this yourself for insect bites

• If present, the stinger should be removed as soon as possible. To do this, you can scrape out the puncture site with a thin, blunt edge (e.g. the edge of a credit card). The stinger contains toxins and must not be touched by hand.
• Cool the puncture site with cold water or ice cubes wrapped in a cloth. You should never apply ice directly to the wound as there is a risk of frostbite.
• If the arm or leg is stung, the limb can be elevated to slow down the inflammatory process.
• In the following days, observe the puncture site for signs of infection such as increasing redness, swelling or pain.

This is how you protect yourself against insect bites

• Avoid perfume or perfumed cosmetics when outdoors. These attract insects, especially wasps.
• Avoid walking barefoot and wearing open-toed shoes.
• Wear long, light-colored clothing.
• Avoid dark clothing.
• Use mosquito nets and insect sprays.
• Check your skin for ticks or tick bites after a walk in the woods.
• Check pets regularly for fleas or other parasites.
• People, especially dog ​​owners, who live in a TBE risk area (eg Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg) should be vaccinated against TBE (tick-borne encephalitis).
• Insects are particularly aggressive on hot, muggy days and can easily be provoked by frantic or flapping movements.

Treatment options for insect bites

After consulting a doctor, cooling creams, painkillers and/or antihistamines can be used to relieve the itching of small skin changes. In the case of very pronounced swelling and redness, the application of cortisone-containing ointments can help. In insects that can transmit pathogens, the bite site must be closely monitored. If other symptoms occur, drug therapy must be given.

This is how Med-Healths can help with insect bites

What does an allergic sting reaction look like? What are the symptoms of an insect bite? How can you relieve your discomfort? What complications are associated with an insect bite? Should you do an allergy test? What allergological tests are there? Can insect bites be treated with medication? How can you protect yourself from possible insect bites in the future? You can discuss these and other questions with one of our doctors via the Med-Healths video consultation. Our doctors will give you comprehensive advice on your symptoms and how to proceed. If necessary, our doctors can also recommend medication or ointments for you or issue you with a prescription for them. Our doctors can also issue you with a referral to a registered dermatologist.