HEALTH
KEEP THE INSECTS AT BAY WITH THESE TOP TIPS
One of the downsides of summer is the fact that insect bites are more common. Insects that can feast on you in this country include mosquitoes, sandflies, fleas, mites, spiders and bedbugs.
Insect bites usually show up as itchy red bumps on your skin. Sometimes there will be a little blister in the middle and they can be painful.
In most cases, after causing discomfort for a couple of days, bites go away on their own. But they can become infected, taking longer to heal and potentially causing bigger problems.
The crucial thing to remember with bites is to try really hard not to scratch them. That can be easier said than done, but scratching can lead to the skin breaking and the bite becoming infected.
Tips to beat the itch
• Apply aloe-vera cream, which can soothe the bites.
• Cool the affected area by holding a cool wet cloth or towel against it, or an ice pack wrapped in a towel.
• Take an antihistamine or use an anti-itching cream if the itching is hard to ignore.
Possible complications
While most bites are a harmless annoyance, in some cases they can become infected. This happens when the bite breaks your skin and bacteria that live on the skin’s surface get through to the deeper layers via the puncture points.
Aggressive scratching can also open up a bite, increasing the chances of bacteria getting in, especially if you have dirty fingernails. Several types of bacteria can lead to a painful skin infection called cellulitis.
Signs of cellulitis include:
• Bites that are still there after a couple of weeks and don’t seem to be getting better.
• An increase in size of the red swollen area. It may also feel very tender.
• Pain in the bitten area.
• Skin that feels warm to the touch.
• Pus in the bite.
• Red streaks that travel across your skin near the bite.
If you think your bite has become infected, you should see your doctor straight away to prevent it getting worse. If cellulitis isn’t treated, it can become a very serious infection that gets into your bloodstream and causes sepsis, which is life-threatening. A fever and chills can be a sign that your infection has spread and you need urgent medical treatment with antibiotics.
How to prevent infection
• Try really, really hard not to scratch. This is one of the primary ways bacteria gets into your skin.
• Keep the bite and the area around it clean. The cleaner your skin, the less likely bacteria will get in. Use soap and water to clean it several times a day until the bite goes or a scab develops.
• Keep your fingernails trimmed and clean to prevent the spread of bacteria.
• Ask your pharmacist for a cream that helps with itching.
• Cover the bite with a bandage after washing it. This can protect it from bacteria and also prevent you from doing further damage by scratching.
• Use an ice pack to numb the area so the urge to scratch is not so strong.
• After washing the bite area, apply a moisturiser. This can prevent the skin cracking if it gets too dry. Cracks are another way bacteria can get into your skin.
How to stop getting bitten
• If you have pets, make sure they have regular flea treatments.
• Vacuum carpets, rugs and furniture thoroughly to get rid of fleas and bedbugs.
• Don’t leave stagnant water sitting around – for example, pooling in saucers under your pots – in your garden, where mosquitoes can breed.
• Use insect repellent when you’re in places where there are likely to be mosquitoes and other biting bugs.
• Invest in insect screens for windows and install mosquito nets above beds.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers to reduce the amount of skin you’re exposing to mosquitoes. Choose loosefitting clothes so mosquitoes can’t bite through them to your skin and opt for lighter colours – mosquitoes are attracted to darker ones.
• Put protective covers on beds to prevent bedbug bites.
• Check second-hand furniture for bedbug infestations before bringing it home.
• Get rid of clutter in your home so there are fewer places for bedbugs to hide.
How do I know what has bitten me?
It may not be obvious what breed of insect has targeted you. As a general guide:
• Mosquito bites tend to appear randomly on areas of the body where your skin is exposed. They are usually round, puffy red bumps and extremely itchy.
• Flea bites are most commonly found on the ankles and legs, although they can show up on your waist, your armpits, or the folds of your elbows and knees. You may have several of them in a straight line. They are small, with a distinct deeper red centre and a red “halo” around the site of the bite.
• Bedbug bites are small and slightly swollen red dots that usually appear in clusters or in a line on your body.
You may spot the bugs in or near your bed – they look like little apple seeds – and they can leave dark patches on your bed when they shed their skins.
• Spider bites vary depending on the type of spider, but commonly look like red welts. As well as itching, they can cause a rash and be very painful, especially in the case of bites from white-tailed spiders. If you suspect you’ve been bitten by a spider, it’s important to see a doctor, especially if you develop fever, chills or difficulty breathing.