![]() You start showing signs of a wound infection such as pus, severe pain, swelling or redness.A large area (around 10cm or more) becomes red or swollen.Symptoms to a bad reaction to a bite or sting include:įurthermore, some bites and stings don’t present symptoms immediately, says Sole, so if any of the following symptoms show after a couple of hours – or if symptoms don’t improve or get worse – then call your doctor. If any of the following symptoms occur, call 999 or seek professional help. Signs of a bad reaction to insect bites and stings It usually develops rapidly, within minutes of the sting occurring.ġ2 UK plants, animals and insects to watch out for ‘This is called anaphylaxis – or anaphylactic shock – and is a life-threatening medical emergency,’ she says. If the swelling associated with a systemic allergic reaction occurs in your mouth, throat, and airway, it can obstruct your breathing. It occurs in up to three per cent of the population, and can be fatal, says Dr Lee. This is an extremely serious systemic reaction. This swelling may just be localised to the affected area of the bite.’ ‘This occurs because fluid leaks out of small blood vessels and collects in the tissues. ‘A severe allergic reaction results in a large amount of tissue swelling, known as angio-oedema,’ she continues. If there are toxins involved – for example, in a sting – it can cause a variety of symptoms such as cardiac arrhythmias, kidney problems, neurological symptoms, and abdominal pain, says Dr Lee. If the allergy is more severe it can involve other systems of the body, hence it’s called a ‘systemic’ reaction. ‘In this case your symptoms will be more severe, with marked discomfort, and intense itching.’ ‘If you have several bites, this can even result in swelling of your whole limb,’ she says. Sometimes, the redness and swelling can measure more than 30cm in diameter, says Dr Lee. This can be very irritating, but is not usually serious.’ Once histamine is present, it causes inflammation, and you can see a red, itchy skin rash with visible wheals (welts) at the site of the bite. ‘Histamine is an important cell-signalling molecule involved in the immune response. ‘The allergic reaction results in histamine release into your skin,’ says Dr Lee. You can often see the bite mark in the centre.’ īites sometimes cause a local allergic skin reaction called urticaria, also known as hives. ‘Sometimes bites can cause larger areas of redness and swelling. ‘You may have just a few small red bumps which feel a bit itchy,’ says Dr Lee. Most people have experienced a bite like this before. Reactions span from minor – an itchy, red bump – to anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening emergency: Your symptoms from a bite or sting reaction depend on how severely the bite or sting has affected you, says Dr Lee. Most insect bites and stings are not serious and can be safely treated at home, but occasionally they can become infected, cause a severe allergic reaction, and even spread serious illnesses, including Lyme disease and malaria. The longer the insect bites you, the greater your chance of an immune response. As a result, within 24-hours of being bitten, the area becomes red, hot, and swollen.’ ‘Your body may not have met this foreign substance before, and your immune system is called to action. ‘When the insect clamps its jaws on the skin, it injects a small amount of saliva,’ says Dr Lee. It can be difficult to identify what you were bitten or stung by if you didn’t see it happen.įor most people, an insect bite or sting usually causes a small red lump on the skin, which is often painful and can be extremely itchy. Wasp and bee stings are acutely painful so you will usually know when you’re being stung. The most common insect bites in the UK are mosquitoes, midges, fleas, bedbugs, horseflies and ticks. ![]() We spoke to pharmacist Navid Sole from Peter’s Pharmacy and Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy about how to identify, treat, and ultimately prevent bites and stings from occurring – plus, the symptoms of a bad reaction, and when to consider seeing a doctor: What causes a reaction to insect bites or stings? Not only are insect bites and stings uncomfortable, unsightly and itch like mad, but if you’re allergic or the area gets infected, they can have some potentially severe side effects. Tropez, once the weather heats up, it pays to be prepared – or you risk getting bitten or stung. ![]() No matter whether you’re in Scotland or St. Insect bites and stings are the scourge of the summer.
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