As the weather warms up and nature wakes up after winter hibernation, it’s time for those pesky bugs to start waking up too – which means more insect bites and stings to deal with.
We break down the signs, treatment, and warnings associated with common insect bites and stings in South Africa.
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Our Guide to Insect Bites and Stings
Bee stings
Signs
Even if you didn’t spot the culprit before it embedded its nasty stinger into you, you will likely know that you’ve been stung by a bee – particularly if you’ve been stung before. If not, the sting will be recognisable by a very sharp pain and an instant red bump with a raised white welt around it that feels hot to the touch.
Treatment
A bee will usually leave its stinger in the skin. The important thing is to remove the stinger without squeezing the venom sac attached at the end of it as this will inject more venom into the skin. The best way to do this is to quickly scrape the stinger out using a flat surface – a butter knife or side of a bank card works well for this.
Warning
Bee stings can lead to severe allergic reactions. If you have never been stung by a bee before, it is imperative that you watch out for warning signs of anaphylaxis, an immune reaction that manifests as difficulty breathing, dizziness, hives and more severe symptoms that could result in cardiac arrest. In this instance it is crucial that the person stung seeks immediate medical attention.
Mosquitoes
Signs
Almost everyone living in a warmer climate has experienced a mosquito bite. Characteristics of a mosquito bite include an immediate raised, red spot followed by itching and incessant irritation that is usually only relieved by scratching.
Treatment
For mosquito bite treatment, apply a soothing antihistamine cream, Aloe Vera, or a cream developed to reduce itching and irritation. When it comes to mosquito bites, prevention is better than cure.
If you are in an area where there are lots of mosquitoes (particularly humid climates and areas where there is stagnant water), spray any exposed skin with mosquito repellent. There are many mosquito repellent products that can be used in the home, including plug-ins, citronella candles and mosquito netting for beds.
Warning
Mosquitoes are carriers of malaria, so if you are in a malaria area, it is crucial that you watch out for symptoms such as nausea, an incessant headache, dizziness, and flu-like symptoms as these are signs of malaria infection. Seek medical attention immediately.
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Spider Bites
Signs
The signs of a spider bite will vary depending on the culprit. Because some spider bites are harmless, whilst others are life threatening, it is important to keep a very close eye on resulting symptoms. Most spider bites are not poisonous and will manifest as a red spot on the skin, usually with two puncture wounds, followed by some pain and swelling.
Treatment
Because there is always the possibility that you have been bitten by a dangerous spider, it is imperative that the bite area is watched closely, and that the victim is monitored for any adverse symptoms as described above. For harmless spider bites, soothing Aloe Vera gels, ice packs and antihistamines can be used to manage pain and swelling.
Warning
If you were able to identify the spider that bit you or your family member, do your research immediately. If you suspect that the spider is a black widow or brown recluse, get the patient to the hospital immediately. Many poisonous spider bite symptoms will only develop between 3 and 8 hours after the bite.
Symptoms that indicate a more serious spider bite include tightness in the chest, breathing problems, severe swelling and change of shape at the site of the bite, loss of consciousness, muscle pain, stiffness in the body, nausea and vomiting.
Tick Bites
Signs
A tick bite is usually identified by a large red spot that develops into a rash surrounding the bite area. In most instances, ticks remain attached to the bite and are thus easily identifiable. Ticks are rife in summer because they enjoy warmer, more humid weather, and will therefore usually embed themselves in the skin of your groin, armpit or hair.
Treatment
If the tick is still in the skin, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick from as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull upwards with a firm, steady hand. Once removed, clean the area thoroughly with rubbing alcohol. If the head remains embedded, use a sterile needle to coax it out of the skin. If you are unable to do this, seek medical attention to remove the tick safely and effectively.
Warning
Ticks are often carriers of a host of dangerous diseases. Watch anyone bitten by a tick for symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, achiness, vomiting, paralysis or weakness and severe pain at the bite site.
Upon recognising any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Ticks are commonly found in the summer in long grasses and veld, thus it is important to check yourself and your kids all over for hidden ticks after being outdoors.
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Managing nasty but often harmless insect bites and stings is easy once you know what to look out for. Keep a first aid kit containing soothing ointments, tweezers, rubbing alcohol and antihistamine medication on hand at all times to ensure you can treat any pesky bug bites.
While you’re at it, make sure you have comprehensive health insurance that pays you BEFORE you see the doctor for those situations where you don’t have time to worry about unexpected medical bills!
Your Health Insurance Family,
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