Allergic reaction to insect bites

Allergies to insect bites in recent years have become an increasingly common occurrence and problem for many people. Hypersensitivity and negative reaction to toxins released mosquitoes, bedbugs or other insects during a bite, often manifests itself even in childhood and lasts a lifetime, and may even intensify.

Manifestations of allergies

A strong and unpleasant allergic reaction to an insect bite often appears due to a hereditary predisposition that is transmitted from parents. Other factors can cause the negative reaction of the human body to insect bites:

• poor environmental conditions;
• human isolation from the natural environment;
• hereditary diseases.

According to scientists, allergies to Hymenoptera insects (bees, wasps, bumblebees and tropical ants) are most often found. Reaction to mosquito bites, bedbugs, flea and midges are recorded much less frequently. This is explained by the fact that toxins secreted by insects contain harmful components:

• melitin - a substance that helps to destroy red blood cells, causes severe inflammation, spasmodic muscle contraction, metabolic disturbance in the body’s tissues, reduces human blood coagulation;
• alamine - a protein that is similar in action to the neurotoxins of snake venom and scorpion, negatively affects the nervous system;
• hyaloronidase - promotes the spread of poison throughout the body;
• phospholipase A - provokes an increase in the inflammatory process, stimulating hemolysis of red blood cells;
• histamine - a substance that dilates blood vessels and causes inflammation.

Incoming bee venom a special form of protein stimulates cells in the affected tissues to release a histamine substance, which activates the allergic process.

Hornet venom also includes kinin, a substance that dilates blood vessels and causes smooth muscle contraction, and also stimulates the inflammatory process. The most negative component in hornet saliva is acetylcholine, which is able to slow down the heart muscle contractions, lower blood pressure, affect the bronchi and activate secretion from the bronchial glands.

In the saliva blood sucking insects (mosquitoes, fleas and bugs) contain enzymes that cause allergies, affecting blood coagulation. Some of them are able to bite into the upper layer of the skin, adding an amount of irritating substances to a bitten place.

The most unpleasant fact is that with a bite of bloodsuckers, pathogens of very dangerous infectious diseases (malaria, plague, tularemia, hepatitis B, etc.) can be present.

Important!

During the bite, many insects inject special painkillers, which is why the person does not feel the process of introducing the toxin. Usually external manifestation after an insect attack detected only in the morning.

Signs of an allergic reaction

Negative symptoms after an insect bite may differ in nature and severity:

• local allergic reaction (pain, swelling, hyperemia, itching);
• generalized manifestations in the form of rhinitis, conjunctivitis, fever, urticaria, respiratory failure, pain in the heart and head, fainting.

The most common typical manifestations of an insect bite:

• redness of the bitten place;
• small swelling of nearby tissues;
• unpleasant itching.

Symptoms of an allergy to insect bites (photo below) can become more unpleasant and severe, manifesting within a few minutes or hours:

• swelling increases in diameter and does not decrease during the day;
• blisters or bubbles with fluid form;
• a rash appears throughout the body;
• the temperature rises, which indicates a beginning inflammatory process;
• manifestations of lethargy, weakness, dizziness;
• runny nose and salivation.

The most severe reactions include:

• Quincke's edema - manifests itself in extensive swelling of tissues, including the mucous membrane of the larynx and tongue, which blocks the access of air and suffocation, the patient can suffocate from asphyxiation;
• anaphylactic shock - occurs when blood circulation is disturbed by the release of serotonin into the blood, manifests itself as a violation of severe pain in the affected area, swelling of the tissues by difficulty in breathing due to bronchospasm, violation of heart rhythms and a sharp drop in blood pressure, the skin acquires a bluish tint, loss of consciousness is possible;
• angioedema - manifested by neurological symptoms: decreased reaction of the limbs, partial paralysis and convulsions.

Important!

Severe consequences (breathing problems, cramps) indicate a sharp deterioration in human health and can be life threatening. Therefore, in such a situation, you should immediately call an ambulance.

First aid after a bite, treatment

First active actions after an insect bite should be carried out before a possible allergic reaction.

First Aid Procedure:

• if a bee bitthen you need to quickly get a sting to stop access to a toxic substance; do it better with tweezers (when hornets bite and wasps, then the sting does not remain);
• if it is known that a person will necessarily manifest an allergic reaction to a bite, then you can try to suck out the poison, but this procedure is effective only in the first minute (be sure to spit), but not longer;
• wash the bite area with cold clean soapy water;
• apply ice or something cold to the affected area to slow the spread of toxins in the subcutaneous layer, this will help reduce tissue swelling;
• with a bite in a hand or leg, a tourniquet can be applied before the doctor arrives;
• treat the wound with a disinfectant (hydrogen peroxide, alcohol).

Treatment for allergies to insect bites can be carried out with local preparations and in tablet form.

Allergy medications that are used to relieve signs of skin irritation:

• ointment and gel Fenistil - helps to remove itching and redness;
• preparations containing Panthenol - have a similar effect;
• hormonal ointments - should be taken only on the recommendation of a doctor because of possible side effects and existing contraindications.

Ointments for insect bites apply point 3-4 times a day.

Modern allergy pills:

• Tavegil, Suprastin, Diazolin, Astemizol - 1-2 generation blockers;
• Loratadine, Claritin, etc. - 3rd generation antiallergic tablets;
• Nedocromil, Intal, Ketotifen - mast cell stabilizers;
• Prednisolone, Bemamezon - glucocorticoids (hormonal drugs);
• Adrenaline, Fenoterol, Salbutamol are symptomatic drugs that are used as an injection in the acute form of an allergy.

Specialists recommend using 2-4 generation drugs that do not have cardiotoxic and hepatoxic effects, do not affect the functioning of the nervous system as antihistamines. The time of their exposure is longer.

Important!

When using any medications, it should be remembered that they can also cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, you can give only known and tested drugs.

Folk remedies

To eliminate unpleasant symptoms after insect bites, various decoctions of herbs and folk tips can be used.

Herbal recipes:

• a decoction of the herbal mixture (mint leaves, oak bark, St. John's wort in equal proportions) is made from 1 tbsp. l in a glass of boiling water, insist 20 minutes, cool and filter through gauze, moisten the tissue and attach to the affected area;
• Veronica officinalis infusion helps to relieve inflammation, rash, itching and allergies, prepared from 1 tbsp. l dry raw materials per 1 cup, cook for 20 minutes, then cool and strain; the skin can be wiped every hour or a compress can be applied for 2 hours, wrapped in polyethylene;
• a decoction of fresh parsley is prepared as follows: pour boiling water over the leaves for 5 minutes, put in the form of gruel in the place of the bite and bandage for 2 hours, then the compress should be replaced with fresh.

Treatment with folk remedies:

• applying a compress with soda (1 tsp. to 1 cup of warm water);
• to neutralize bee venom, washing with soap or vinegar (in half with water) helps, as well as applying cut onions, a piece of aloe;
• cauterization of the wound with an alcohol solution (in proportion to water 1: 5) or vodka, cologne;
• peppermint toothpaste or products containing menthol are suitable for relieving itching and local cooling.

Prohibited Actions

When providing assistance to an injured person after an insect bite, it is prohibited:

• the use of alcoholic beverages, because they dilate blood vessels, which will lead to the rapid spread of poison;
• try to squeeze out the poison because of the possible stimulation of its absorption in the tissue;
• apply the earth for cooling - you can bring the infection into the wound;
• give a person when swelling the larynx or face (this can be seen by the change in the oval) to drink pills, because when you try to swallow them, choking is possible.

Allergies in children

The reaction of a child's body to an insect bite can be more acute and prolonged than in adults. This is due to the unformed immune system in children.

The most common allergic reaction in a child:

• redness, spots and a rash on the body may persist for several days;
• severe itching, due to which the child strongly combs the skin and is able to cause infection.

Important!

In children with high sensitization to insect venom and a tendency to allergic dermatitis, after a bite, angioedema, urticaria, or anaphylactic shock may develop. In such a situation, you must urgently consult a doctor.

Allergy treatment in children

Treatment of allergies to insect bites in children depends on the age of the child and his individual characteristics of the body, sensitivity to drugs:

• for babies use Fenistil drops, Tavegil, Suprastin, Zirtek (used from birth), dosage according to the instructions;
• to relieve itching and redness, you can use Fenistil-gel, Gardeks-cream, life-saving balm, Psilo-balm;
• 2-3 generation antihistamines: loratadine, mesoderm, cetrin, etc.

First aid for children after an insect bite or what to do if you suspect Quincke's edema, when the face, neck, eyes begin to swell:

• call an ambulance;
• release the baby from clothes that interfere with breathing, unfasten all buttons;
• put it in an upright position or pick it up, because when lying down the processes are more difficult, if you can’t do without it, then put it on your back, turning your head to one side;
• increase access to fresh air (open windows, take to the street);
• apply cold to the affected area;
• drip vasoconstrictor drops into the nose (Galazolin, Naphthyzin, etc.);
• give an antihistamine medicine;
• often drink warm water;
• in case of loss of consciousness, make artificial respiration.

Usually, a severe allergy and a negative reaction of the child's body to insect bites gradually decrease with age. However, if it persists for a long time, then consultation with a specialist is necessary to treat and maintain the child’s immunity.