2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 02:10
Symptoms, itching and swelling from a midge bite, how to treat?
The prevalence of midges around the globe is very wide - this type of insect does not live only in Antarctica. This is why so many people are attacked every day. It would seem, what harm can a millimeter insect do to a massive person? The answer lies in the toxicity of midges saliva in relation to the tissues of the human body. Each of the subspecies of midges has a different degree of toxicity, causing multiple pathological changes.
The scientific name of the reactions of the human body and animals to the bites of midges sounds like "simulidotoxicosis".
The most important thing to know about midges (gnats):
- Midges are more likely to attack during the hot summer months;
- The favorite habitats of these insects are forests and the banks of flowing reservoirs;
- The attack is possible in the morning and afternoon. In the evening and at night, midges sleep;
- Vile waits for its victims on stalks of tall grasses and always attacks en masse.
These data must be taken into account when planning an active holiday or stay in natural natural and field conditions.
Content:
- Why do midges bite?
- Midge bite symptoms
- How to protect yourself from midge bites?
- How to relieve swelling?
- How to treat a midge bite?
- How to remove a swelling from a midge bite?
Why do midges bite?
Only female midges bite. They have a lot of fat to lay their eggs, but they need blood to give their offspring enough nutrients to grow. Male midges suck on plant nectar. [1]
Does the midge bite hurt?
Midges usually feed for 3-4 minutes, and you are unlikely to feel anything at this moment. If you are bitten by a midge, it is best to apply an antihistamine cream. If you don't have anything close at hand, try not to comb the bite site. [2]
Midge bite symptoms
Midges always attack suddenly. In most cases, a person does not even have time to understand what happened to him. This is due to the exceptional aggressiveness of the midges. Insects attack so quickly that the skin receptors do not have time to fix the irritation. When gnats hit the surface of the skin, they instantly gnaw out part of the surface layers, lubricating the wound surface with saliva (the main difference from mosquitoes). It is saliva, performing the function of an anesthetic, that allows these insects to remain unnoticed for some time. If the moment of the bite was not felt, the gnat sucks blood and lymph from the wound surface, which is necessary for the life cycle and reproduction of offspring.
Midge bite allergy
An allergic reaction is based on the contents of the insect's salivary glands, which are represented by hemolytic substances. There is a pattern - the more painful the bite, the stronger the reaction to it, which consists of the manifestations indicated in the table.
| How do they manifest | |
| Local changes |
|
| General reactions |
|
The severity of general intoxication and local reactions depends on several factors:
- The type of midges and the number of bites;
-
The immune status of the body and the age of a person;
- Propensity to allergic reactions;
- Individual intolerance to the components of the saliva of midges;
- Infection of bitten wounds with infection when scratching.
The nature of clinical manifestations, their duration and outcome depend on the above conditions and their combination. The most critical consequence of a midge bite can be the development of anaphylactic shock, which requires immediate resuscitation. Fortunately, this is rare.
See also: first aid for anaphylactic shock
Itching from a midge bite
Itching is the main complaint of most affected people. Unbearable itching makes you scratch the affected area, which only aggravates the skin condition. But a regularity is fixed: the stronger the itching and local manifestations, the less the degree of general toxic reactions. The body in this way limits the pathological process to the site of localization of the focus of intoxication.
In itself, itching from midge bites, as a defensive reaction, is twofold. On the one hand, it signals danger, on the other hand, it causes further problems. That is why this symptom can rightfully be called central in the development of local skin changes. People constantly comb the bites of midges, bringing pathogenic pyogenic microorganisms into the thickness of the damaged skin. This becomes the reason for the progression of pathogenesis in soft tissues, their suppuration and a prolonged course of the wound process.
How to remove swelling from a midge bite?
Puffiness is one of the main symptoms of multiple midge bites. Usually, the swelling of the skin is persistent, causing discomfort for a long time along with itching. The cause of severe swelling is the massive release of substances that cause inflammation in soft tissues. Sometimes the edema is so extensive and pronounced that it spreads to areas distant from the site of the bite (head, neck, face). Such manifestations are eliminated using the methods shown in the table.
| Necessary activities | |
| Local edema |
|
| General swelling |
|
The scope of measures aimed at reducing edema depends on the intensity and rate of its growth. In most cases, you have to deal with local edema, which lends itself well to elimination with the help of the above local measures. But in the case of a lightning-fast increase in edema like an anaphylactic allergic reaction with spread to the neck and respiratory organs, there is an immediate threat to human life. The response must be immediate. Such patients are provided with free access of air and transported as quickly as possible to the nearest medical institution. Fortunately, this rarely happens with midge bites.
How to protect yourself from midge bites?
Studies have shown that eucalyptus essential oil is the best natural insect repellent [3]. Therefore, it is recommended to buy repellents that contain this oil, or use the essential oil separately (just remember that fumes from the essential oil applied to the face can cause eye allergies).
What to do, how to treat a midge bite?
Very often, multiple midge bites become a real problem, not only because of unpleasant symptoms, but also because of the difficulties with its elimination. In most cases, bite marks bother the victims for a long time (2-3 weeks). Such consequences are inevitable if nothing is done or is limited to only some of the necessary measures. The approach should be comprehensive, aimed at blocking all links of pathogenesis. This is the only way to prevent possible complications.
In a typical course of the wound process, the sequence of changes looks like this: a bite of midges - rashes - itching - scratching - infection - formation of a wound with inflammation of the surrounding skin. The same clear sequence of measures should be followed when treating midge bites. The scope of the required actions is presented in the form of a table.
| Scope of activities | |
| A bite, at the time of receipt, accompanied by pain and burning |
|
| Rash that occurs a few minutes or hours after receiving a bite. |
|
| Itching accompanying bites at all stages of the wound process |
|
| Scratching in the surface layers of the skin |
|
| Skin infection with wounds |
|
| Covering wounds with black scab |
|
| Healing wounds |
|
An easy way to relieve itching from insect bites
There is an easy way to get quick relief - and all you need is a hairdryer. Just turn it on and place it as close to the bite as possible, set it to a high temperature, and tolerate at least a few seconds, preferably up to 30. You will be amazed at how it provides instant relief that lasts several hours, allowing you to sleep peacefully at night and continue your day. [4]
What you should never do after being bitten by midges:
- Treat the skin with hygiene products from the category of household chemicals. This can provoke an aggravation of allergic reactions;
- Combing the affected areas;
- Apply hormonal ointments directly to wounds. This will cause a burning sensation and slow down their healing. They are applied strictly around the wounds in the area of redness;
- Neglect the use of antibiotics or antiallergic drugs if indicated;
- Self-prescribe medication for yourself. Seeking help and medical supervision are required!
How to remove a swelling from a midge bite?
The midge, or gnat, is a blood-sucking insect common in many regions. It feeds on the blood and lymph of the objects of its attack, and when bitten, it numbes the site of skin damage. Often this area of the skin becomes inflamed, reddens, and other, more serious symptoms join the unpleasant consequences of the bite. To take timely measures, you need to know how to remove the swelling after a midge bite.
First aid and prevention
- The first thing to do is to disinfect the bite site with alcohol or an antibiotic solution (Chlorhexidine, Miramistin).
- Then an antihistamine ointment (Fenistil-gel) is applied to the skin to prevent tumors. If there is no ointment, you can treat the wound with brilliant green or a solution of baking soda.
- If the itching is severe or does not stop for a long time, you need to take an antihistamine tablet (Suprastin, Ketotifen, Cetrin, Claritin, Zodak, Zyrtec), even if you have never had any allergies before. This precaution will help reduce the size of the bite tumor or prevent it from forming. It is better to choose 2 generation drugs (Loratadin, Cyterizin). They, unlike their predecessors, are devoid of sedation and are better tolerated by patients.
- Also, for severe edema, hormonal ointments, such as hydrocortisone ointment, should be used. Hormonal drugs of this group have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect.
To prevent swelling from a midge bite from spreading, you can apply ice wrapped in a plastic bag and in a clean napkin to the bite site.
Folk remedies for removing a tumor from a midge bite
Traditional recipes are used in addition to medicines and cannot replace them. Most of these remedies are effective in relieving swelling after a midge bite.
Traditional medicine recipes:
- Lubricate the bite with a thick foam from laundry soap.
- Attach a mashed leaf of dandelion, plantain, mint leaves, bird cherry to the bite.
- Apply the onion gruel to the swelling after the bite.
- Lubricate the swelling with toothpaste or menthol rinse balm.
- Fix a compress of grated raw potatoes in place of the tumor.
If a midge has bitten in the eye
A midge bite in the eye can provoke allergic manifestations, manifested by severe swelling of the facial tissues, dizziness, and shortness of breath. This type of bite is most dangerous, especially if a child or adult with reduced immunity is affected. If it is temporarily impossible to consult a doctor, you should take emergency measures:
- Apply a cold compress, ice in a sterile napkin;
- Take an antihistamine;
- Use an antiallergic eye ointment (hydrocortisone, dexamethasone);
- Apply to the eyelid a cotton pad dipped in parsley juice or green tea;
- Do not comb your eyes so as not to provoke the development of the inflammatory process.
You should carefully study the instructions for medicines, take into account possible contraindications and side effects.
Author of the article: Danilova Tatyana Vyacheslavovna | Infectionist
Education: in 2008 received a diploma in General Medicine (General Medicine) at the Pirogov Russian Research Medical University. Immediately passed an internship and received a diploma of a therapist
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