Fly bites
There are more than 120,000 species of flies throughout the world. Many of these will often bite humans as well as animals for their blood. Some fly species carry disease and can infect both humans and animals. That is alarming considering that at one point or another you may have been bitten or are likely to be bitten by a fly. Let’s take a look at some flies that are likely to bite humans and what you should do in case of a fly bite
1. Tsetsefly
This dreaded fly bite is found mostly in South Africa. The fly does not exist in the US so someone who gets bitten will most likely have travelled to Africa. The bite itself is painful and is accompanied by small red bumps. The dangers of a tsetsefly is that it can transmit trypanosomiasis also known as sleeping sickness.
Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Mental confusion
- Coma
If left untreated, this disease can be fatal as it can cause the brain to swell. Fortunately, the disease can be diagnosed by running a blood test for sleeping sickness. Drugs like Antitrypanosomal medications are readily available for treating sleeping sickness. Such drugs include pentamidine which have proven highly effective in treating trypanomiasis
2. Deer fly
If you live near a lake, swamp or body of water, you may have encountered this fly mostly in spring. Their bite is painful and causes red welts and also results in tularemia.
- Fever
- Skin ulcers
- Headache
Tularemia can be fatal if left untreated. Good news is it can be treated with the help of antibiotics. Icing the bitten area helps reduce pain. Anti-allergy dugs such a diphenhydramine can help reduce the itchiness.
3. Stable flies
These can be found in many parts of the world. They will occur in areas where there is plenty of livestock. In the States, they are prevalent in areas such New Jersey and the Tennessee valley to name a few. The bite is similar to how one feels when pricked by a needle. The stable fly looks like your typical housefly except it has seven black circular spots on their abdomen.
They will often bite in specific areas such as the feet, behind the knees, legs and ankles. The bite area will likely have some small raised red bumps.
Symptoms include red rashes in the above mentioned areas.
Taking anti-allergy medication such as Benadryl will help reduce the itching and swelling as well as the hives that may result from the bite. Icing the area can also will in reduction of pain.
Conclusion
Fly bites are not to be taken lightly. Seeing a doctor at the earliest opportunity helps alleviate suffering and treats any resulting symptom well on time before it becomes life threatening. The above list only begins to scratch the surface of fly bites. Other flies that are known to bite animals and humans include mosquitoes, biting midges, sand flies and black flies to name a few.
