Identifying Bug Bites
When the weather warms up and people head outside, it usually means uplifted moods, healthier lifestyles, and a lot more fun. It also means there is more potential for identifying bug bites and stings.
A day playing under the sunshine can turn ugly pretty fast if you feel as if you are being eaten alive.
Even during the colder months of winter, you may face the occasional bug bite indoors. If you are going to be outside, use a good mosquito repellent. To avoid infestation indoors that lead to bites, keep your home clean, vacuum on a regular basis, and call an exterminator if bugs are still a problem.
Should you fall victim to a bug attack, there are ways to lessen the impact and keep the reaction to a minimum. If you find yourself itching from a bite, there are creams you can apply that will reduce the itching and chance of infection.
Over-the-counter remedies usually work well, or you can create an anti-itching remedy with essential oils or witch hazel.
Aloe sometimes help the burning sensation of some bites. Sometimes something as simple as washing the bite cuts down on the itching.
Even if you avoid bites, resist itching, and keep bites clean, you may find a bug bite turning into something more serious. If you think an infection may have resulted from a bite, it is important to see your doctor as soon as possible.
The sooner something is treated, the less of a problem it will be. If the pain of a bite increases in the days following the incident or the area begins to swell more than just a little bit, or a rash spreads out across your skin, you should consult your doctor.
Sometimes bugs do not bite at all, but they attack by burrowing into the skin. Ticks dig their heads under the skins surface and live off of the blood they are able to drink once they have broken the skin’s barrier.
Not only is this gross and uncomfortable, it can lead to serious illness like Lyme disease. If you find a tick has made its unwelcome way into your world, be sure to remove it very carefully.
You may need the assistance of another pair of hands, as well as tweezers, and possibly a match. Ticks respond to heat and they are often easier to remove if you apply direct heat to their bodies.
Sometimes it is not bites you have to worry about, but stings.
Bee stings can be extremely painful and if a person is allergic, they can lead to serious illness and even death. If you will be outside, do your best to avoid areas where bees congregate.
Do not walk in the grass in bare feet and avoid bumping into bushes where a hive might be. If you do get stung, remove the stinger if it is left behind and apply ice to the area.
