When is an Insect Bite Dangerous?

Insects, which can live in every corner of the world and almost every condition, become more prevalent, especially as the weather warms up.

With thousands of different species, the effects of insect bites on humans vary. Insects inject their venom into the skin through their stingers or enzymes in their saliva. Insect bites usually cause a painful effect, but some can lead to allergic reactions, local irritation, and fluid-filled blisters. The impact of an insect bite depends on the species of the insect and the individual's sensitivity. Children, people with allergic conditions, pregnant women, and the elderly are more sensitive to insect bites. Insect bites can also lead to the spread of diseases such as yellow fever, encephalitis, malaria, and typhus within a community. In particular, insect species living in tropical regions can carry serious diseases.

Types of Insect Bites

• Flea Bites: Flea bites leave marks on the skin in clusters and lines, causing symptoms such as itching, swelling, and redness.
• Horsefly Bite: Horsefly bites are quite painful and cause symptoms such as swelling and fluid retention in the affected area.
• Bedbug Bites: Bedbug bites cause swelling and itching but are not painful.
• Tick Bites: Tick bites, which can carry Borrelia infection, may cause serious illnesses. Initially, the bite might not show any symptoms, but over time, itching, bruising, redness, and swelling may occur on the skin.
• Mite Bites: Mite bites cause severe itching on the skin.
• Spider Bite: Spider bites can be painful and may cause swelling and redness, along with dizziness, sweating, nausea, and vomiting.
• Bee Sting: Bee stings cause sudden pain, and the affected area swells and turns red immediately.
• Mosquito Bite: Mosquito bites cause swelling and intense itching in the bitten area.
• Scorpion Sting: Scorpion stings, which cause numbness, burning, pain, redness, and swelling, can sometimes lead to serious health problems.
• Ant Bite: Ant bites cause swelling in the affected area, which fills with pus.

When Is an Insect Bite Dangerous?

Not every insect bite is dangerous. However, an insect bite may be dangerous if the following symptoms occur:

• Difficulty breathing and wheezing
• Abdominal problems such as nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea
• Increased salivation
• Irregular or rapid heartbeat
• Weakness and anxiety
• Dizziness and difficulty swallowing
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Itching or hives all over the body
• Swelling, especially around the genital area, lips, and eyes
• A 2.5 cm swelling at the site of the bite and swelling in the mouth or throat
• Increased pain, redness, and fever
• If an abscess or pus forms at the bite site and symptoms do not subside within 2 days, the bite becomes dangerous, and immediate medical attention is needed.

Symptoms of Insect Bites

Common symptoms of insect bites include:

• Itching, pain, and swelling at the bite site
• Color changes, redness at the bite site
• Hives, fluid or pus accumulation at the bite site
• Abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• A feeling of tightness in the chest
• Wheezing
• Swelling of the tongue, which are signs of an allergic reaction.

Insect Bite Treatment

Generally, if there is no allergic reaction, first aid treatment is sufficient for an insect bite. To avoid further exposure, insect repellent and gel should be used. The bitten area should be washed with water and soap. Ice can be applied to reduce pain and itching. Antihistamine medications and ointments can be used to prevent itching. Pain relievers can be taken to relieve pain. In tick bites, the tick should be carefully removed with tweezers by grasping the tick’s head and placed in a jar. It is important to keep the tick for species identification. The area where the tick was removed and hands should be thoroughly washed with plenty of water and soap.