- Pharmacist George Sandhu warns Brits not to ignore insect bites
- Reactions to bites can include roughness, spots, rashes, and discoloration.
A pharmacist has warned Britain not to ignore insect bites as a bad reaction can be life-threatening as winter approaches.
From a subtle color to a change in texture or feel, skin can act as a silent messenger of early signs of an underlying health condition.
George Sandu, Deputy Superintendent of Pharmacy Good pharmacy “Insect bites and stings are usually not serious and usually improve within a few days.
However, bites and stings can sometimes lead to infection or cause a severe allergic reaction.
Some insect bites can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease from ticks, scabies from ticks and malaria from mosquitoes in some parts of the world.’
According to the pharmacist, it is important to be careful with bites or stings that may be caused by insects. Here are the eight most common ones to keep an eye out for.
Wasp and snail
Typically, a wasp or hornet bite leaves an individual with a small scar where the bite penetrated the skin.
In some cases, the stat may enter your skin after a wasp or hornet sting.
However, it is important to be careful, since they have the potential to be life-threatening following such a bite. NHS.
The bite may cause pain, redness and swelling for a few hours. Some people may have a mild allergic reaction that lasts up to a week.
In severe cases, a bite can cause anaphylaxis, which causes difficulty breathing, dizziness and swelling of the face or mouth.
If you experience these symptoms, call 999 immediately to request an ambulance.
The bee stings
A bee sting can feel just like a wasp sting – but crucially, the sting is often left in the wound.
The bite may cause pain, redness, and swelling for a few hours.
As with wasp stings, some people may have a mild allergic reaction that lasts up to a week.
Like wasps, bee stings have the potential to be life-threatening, and in severe cases can cause difficulty breathing, dizziness, and swelling of the face or mouth.
If these symptoms appear, you should call emergency services immediately.
When removing the stinger, brush or brush it sideways with your fingernail or the edge of the bank card.
You should not use tweezers to remove the sticker as you may squeeze more venom into your body. Be sure to wash the area with soap and water.
Mosquito bites
A mosquito bite is usually a small, raised, itchy rash on your skin.
They usually appear as small red bumps on the skin, and in some people they become fluid-filled blisters.
Although mosquitoes do not cause major damage in England, they can be deadly in other parts of the world, spreading diseases such as malaria.
If you experience fever, chills, headache, or nausea after being bitten by a mosquito, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Tick bites
In contrast, ticks bury their heads deep into your skin.
Bites from small spider-like creatures are usually painless, but over time you may experience itching, oozing, swelling, and bruising on the skin.
Some ticks can carry serious infections such as Lyme disease and should be removed immediately if they appear on the skin.
A key symptom of Lyme disease caused by a tick bite is a rash that looks like a bullseye on a dart board.
Another indicator of Lyme disease due to tick bites is fever.
If you experience any symptoms, you can visit your local pharmacist under the Pharmacy First service instead of waiting for a GP.
Horse bite
Horse bites can be very painful and sometimes bleed and become infected.
However, unlike other bites on this list, they are not life-threatening.
A red, raised bite can sometimes be a raised rash (called hives or urticaria).
As a result of the bite, you may experience dizziness, weakness, tingling, and swelling and bruising of your body.
If you experience signs of infection such as pus or increasing pain, redness and swelling, it is recommended that you visit your local GP.
Mid bite
Interstitial bites are usually small and appear in groups and appear as multiple spots on the skin.
Midge and mosquito bites are very similar in appearance to mosquito bites.
Similar to mosquito bites, the red bumps can be painful and very itchy, and can occasionally swell to an alarming size.
Although some individuals may develop fluid-filled blisters from midge bites, these are not life-threatening.
Mite bites
Spider bites are very itchy bumps on the skin that can turn into blisters.
Termites usually bite bare skin, but if your pet has termites and sits on your lap, they can bite on your stomach and thighs.
In some cases, mites crawl into your skin, causing a condition also known as scabies.
Termite bites are not life-threatening.
Flea bites
Flea bites appear as itchy red spots and are usually found in clusters below the knees.
According to the NHS, fleas usually come from cats and dogs that bite below the knees and around the ankles.
Also, when you take care of your pet and hold it in your hands, flea bites can be spotted on your forehead.
Although flea bites are uncomfortable and annoying, they are not life-threatening.
Spider bite
Getting bitten by a spider is extremely rare in the UK, but some of the creepy crawlers native to British beaches can give you a nasty bite.
Spider bites leave small puncture marks on the skin, which cause pain and redness and swelling.
Spider bites leave small puncture marks on your skin, which can be very painful.
These bite marks can also cause redness and swelling.
Some spider bites have the potential to be life-threatening, as some can become infected or occasionally cause severe allergic reactions.
Some spider bites can cause pain, sweating, and dizziness.
If you experience severe or serious symptoms after a spider bite, seek medical help immediately.
The pharmacy’s George Sandu added: “If you’re not sure if you’ve been bitten or stung by an insect, it’s worth seeking medical advice.
“Prompt removal of any mites, ticks or other foreign bodies, along with appropriate symptom management, can help relieve discomfort and reduce the risk of complications.
As part of the new Pharmacy First service, pharmacists can provide advice and recommend appropriate treatments for insect bites, which may include prescription strength medications.
They may also prescribe antihistamines and pain relievers to help relieve symptoms.
However, if symptoms worsen or severe allergic symptoms such as swollen lips, sore throat, or difficulty breathing occur, immediate medical attention is needed.
As part of the Pharmacy First scheme in England, patients can get advice and treatment for insect bites at their local pharmacy instead of going to a GP.