Adoption Under One Roof

Bed bug bites create large wheels of bites made in orderly rows. Itching and skin redness both on and around bite sites are common. Localized swelling and the formation of blisters may occur. The bite wheels are gradually reduced to red marks, which slowly fade over the span of a few days.

The black fly, or biting fly, can produce a number of symptoms with their bites including pain on and around the bite site, and itching .The most common allergic reactions are hives or wheezing. Prolonged scratching can result in a secondary infection.

Chigger bites produce small raised red lesions on the skin. Bites can cause pain and itching. Symptoms can be similar to those of poison ivy or poison oak. Highly sensitive people may experience swelling or blistering of the bite area. Scratching may cause irritated areas to spread, and appear as a rash.

A fire ants bite is painful! Redness typically surrounds the bite forming lighter colored rings around a darker center. Pain is present as symptoms progress. Runners of redness will shoot out from the bite area at times. Fever, nausea, aches, tiredness, and other flu-like symptoms may occur.

A rash with small bumps that itch and may bleed when scratched. Bites are most often located in a crease of skin or joint of the body where fleas like to hide. Larger skin areas may be affected over time as bite areas enlarge. Touching the bites will cause the bite area to turn white. Itching may be localized or can become generalized and can become severe. If the itching is indulged, swelling around bite or rash areas can occur and may take several days to subside.

After stinging someone, the honeybee leaves its stinger behind. To properly remove the stinger, do not pull the stinger out with tweezers or pinch it out with your fingers. This can inject more venom and cause a more severe reaction. Instead, use a credit card or dull blade to scrape the stinger out.

Spring and summer seasons are the worst for mosquito bites. Redness and itching on and around bites is common. Swelling can occur at the site of the bites. Among other illnesses, the mosquito is a carrier of Malaria, Yellow fever, Dengue fever, and West Nile fever.

Tick bites are usually noticed after redness, discomfort or swelling has occurred around the area of the bite. Blistering, rash and itching may also be present around the affected area. Early removal of the tick followed by a complete cleaning of the area is best. While most ticks do not carry diseases, some can cause Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, and tularemia. Symptoms of these include muscle or joint aches, stiff neck, headache, weakness, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and other flu-like symptoms. Watch for a red spot or rash starting at the location of the bite.

1. Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the bite for 15-20 minutes per hour for the first 6 hours. Avoid putting ice directly on the skin.

2. Apply a meat tenderizer solution; this can be made by mixing one part meat tenderizer and 4 parts of water. This works especially well for painful stings from bee, wasp and/or ants. For best results, use a cotton ball soaked in the solution to rub the bite area for 15-20 minutes.

If you do not have meat tenderizer, you can apply a paste made out of baking soda and water to the affected area.

Topical steroids or other topical anti-itch creams, such as Calamine lotion, can be applied to the affected area in lieu of the above homeopathic treatments.

Other medications, including an oral antihistamine for itching, such as Benadryl, and/or ibuprofen or acetaminophen, may also help ease the discomfort caused by the bug bite.

5. If swelling persists apply a warm compress to the bite area for relief.

6. If redness, swelling or pain does not subside or there are signs of infection contact your physician.

7. Avoid scratching or breaking bite blisters as this can lead to infection. 

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