What are hives and how do they differ from bug bites. How can parents identify hives in children. What causes hives and when should medical attention be sought. How are hives treated in children.

Understanding Hives: More Than Just Bug Bites

Hives, medically known as urticaria, are a common skin condition that can be easily mistaken for bug bites. These slightly raised, red patches of skin, called wheals or welts, often appear in groups and can be incredibly itchy or even sting. While they may resemble mosquito bites, hives have distinct characteristics that set them apart.

One out of every five people will experience hives at some point in their lives, making it a prevalent condition, especially among children. In many cases, particularly in children, the cause of hives remains unidentified, leading to a diagnosis of idiopathic urticaria.

Key Characteristics of Hives

• Appear as raised, red patches on the skin
• Often occur in groups or clusters
• Can be itchy or stinging
• May have a white center surrounded by a red border
• Can vary in size from small spots to large, dinner plate-sized areas
• Individual wheals typically last several hours before fading
• New batches may develop as old ones fade

Differentiating Hives from Bug Bites: A Parent’s Guide

Distinguishing hives from bug bites can be challenging for parents. While both can cause itchy, raised bumps on the skin, there are several key differences to look out for:

1. Pattern: Hives often appear in clusters or groups, while bug bites are usually more scattered.
2. Duration: Individual hives typically fade within hours, but new ones may appear. Bug bites tend to last longer.
3. Size variation: Hives can range from small spots to large areas, whereas bug bites are generally more uniform in size.
4. Color: Hives often have a white center with a red border, while bug bites are usually uniformly red.
5. Spread: Hives can spread and join together, forming larger patches. Bug bites typically remain separate.

Understanding these differences can help parents make informed decisions about their child’s skin condition and determine whether medical attention is necessary.

The Root Causes of Hives in Children

Hives occur when a chemical called histamine is released in the body. This release can be triggered by various factors, some of which are easier to identify than others. In children, the causes of hives can be broadly categorized into two main groups:

1. Allergic Reactions

Allergic hives are often easier to identify as they typically occur shortly after exposure to a specific trigger. Common allergens that can cause hives in children include:

• Certain foods (e.g., nuts, eggs, shellfish)
• Insect stings or bites
• Medications
• Latex
• Pollen

In these cases, hives usually appear within minutes to hours after exposure and resolve once the allergen is removed from the child’s environment.

2. Idiopathic Urticaria

When no specific trigger can be identified, the condition is referred to as idiopathic urticaria. This is particularly common in children and can be caused by:

• Viral infections or colds
• Stress
• Changes in temperature
• Pressure on the skin
• Autoimmune reactions

Idiopathic hives often last longer than allergic hives, potentially persisting for days or even weeks.

When Hives Become Serious: Recognizing Anaphylaxis

While hives are generally harmless, they can sometimes be a sign of a more severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. This life-threatening condition requires immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of Anaphylaxis

• Difficulty breathing or noisy breathing
• Wheezing or persistent cough
• Swelling of the tongue
• Swelling or tightness in the throat
• Difficulty talking or hoarse voice
• Loss of consciousness or collapse
• Paleness and floppiness (particularly in infants and young children)

If your child exhibits any of these symptoms alongside hives, it’s crucial to call emergency services immediately. For children with a history of anaphylactic reactions, carrying an adrenaline autoinjector (such as an EpiPen) at all times is often recommended.

Home Care for Hives: Soothing Your Child’s Discomfort

In most cases, hives can be managed effectively at home without the need for medical intervention. Here are some strategies to help alleviate your child’s symptoms:

1. Identify and avoid triggers: If you can pinpoint what caused the hives, keep your child away from that trigger.
2. Apply cool compresses: Use a cool, damp cloth on the affected areas to reduce itching and stinging.
3. Avoid heat and sunlight: These can exacerbate hives, so keep your child cool and out of direct sunlight.
4. Use non-drowsy antihistamines: Over-the-counter antihistamines can provide relief from itching. Always follow age-appropriate dosing guidelines.
5. Dress in loose, comfortable clothing: Tight clothing can irritate hives and make symptoms worse.
6. Keep nails trimmed: This can help prevent skin damage from scratching.
7. Use mild, fragrance-free soaps: Harsh soaps can further irritate sensitive skin.

Remember, while these home remedies can provide comfort, they don’t address the underlying cause of chronic hives. If hives persist for more than six weeks, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider.

Medical Treatments for Persistent Hives

When hives become a recurring issue or last for extended periods, medical intervention may be necessary. Healthcare providers have several options at their disposal to manage chronic hives in children:

1. Antihistamines

These medications are often the first line of defense against hives. They work by blocking the effects of histamine in the body, reducing itching and swelling. For chronic hives, doctors may recommend:

• Long-acting, non-drowsy antihistamines for daytime use
• Sedating antihistamines for nighttime relief
• Higher doses of antihistamines than typically used for allergies

2. Corticosteroids

In severe cases or when antihistamines alone aren’t effective, short courses of oral corticosteroids may be prescribed. These powerful anti-inflammatory medications can quickly reduce symptoms but are generally used sparingly due to potential side effects with long-term use.

3. Immunomodulators

For chronic, severe hives that don’t respond to other treatments, immunomodulating drugs may be considered. These medications work by altering the immune system’s response. However, their use in children is carefully evaluated due to potential risks.

4. Allergy Testing

If an allergic trigger is suspected, especially if hives appear shortly after exposure to a particular substance, allergy testing may be recommended. This can help identify specific triggers to avoid.

5. Treatment of Underlying Conditions

In some cases, chronic hives may be a symptom of an underlying health issue. Treating this condition can often resolve the hives as well.

It’s important to note that the treatment approach may vary depending on the child’s age, overall health, and the severity and frequency of hive outbreaks. Always consult with a pediatrician or allergist to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your child.

Prevention Strategies: Minimizing Hive Outbreaks

While it’s not always possible to prevent hives, especially in cases of idiopathic urticaria, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of outbreaks or reduce their severity:

1. Keep a diary: Record your child’s diet, activities, and any hive occurrences. This can help identify potential triggers.
2. Manage stress: Teach your child stress-reduction techniques, as stress can exacerbate hives in some cases.
3. Maintain a consistent skincare routine: Use gentle, fragrance-free products to avoid irritating sensitive skin.
4. Control environmental factors: Keep your home cool and use air purifiers to reduce potential airborne allergens.
5. Follow medical advice: If your child has been prescribed preventive medications, ensure they take them as directed.
6. Educate caregivers: Make sure teachers, babysitters, and family members are aware of your child’s condition and know how to respond to hive outbreaks.
7. Consider dietary changes: If food allergies are suspected, work with a healthcare provider to implement an elimination diet or make appropriate dietary modifications.

Remember, prevention strategies should be tailored to your child’s specific situation and triggers. What works for one child may not be effective for another, so it’s important to work closely with your healthcare provider to develop an individualized prevention plan.

Long-Term Outlook: Living with Chronic Hives

For children diagnosed with chronic hives, understanding the long-term outlook is crucial for both parents and the affected child. While dealing with recurrent hives can be challenging, it’s important to maintain a positive perspective:

Prognosis

• Many children with chronic hives experience improvement over time
• About 50% of cases resolve within 1 year
• Up to 80% of cases resolve within 5 years
• Some children may experience intermittent flare-ups even after long periods without symptoms

Quality of Life Considerations

Living with chronic hives can impact a child’s quality of life in various ways:

• Physical discomfort from itching and swelling
• Sleep disturbances due to nighttime itching
• Emotional stress or anxiety about outbreaks
• Social concerns, especially if hives are visible
• Limitations on activities or diet if specific triggers are identified

To help your child cope with these challenges:

1. Provide emotional support and reassurance
2. Encourage open communication about their feelings
3. Work with school staff to ensure your child’s needs are met
4. Consider joining support groups for families dealing with chronic skin conditions
5. Explore coping strategies with a pediatric psychologist if needed

Ongoing Management

Managing chronic hives is often a long-term process that requires patience and persistence. Key aspects of ongoing management include:

• Regular follow-ups with healthcare providers
• Adjusting treatment plans as needed
• Monitoring for any changes in symptoms or new triggers
• Staying informed about new treatment options
• Teaching your child self-management skills as they grow older

With proper management and support, most children with chronic hives can lead normal, active lives. As research continues to advance our understanding of urticaria, new and more effective treatments may become available, offering hope for better long-term outcomes.

Kids Health Information : Hives

Hives are slightly raised, red patches of skin called wheals (or welts). They occur in groups on any part of the body, and can look like mosquito bites. They are often itchy, but sometimes also sting. The medical word for hives is urticaria (er-tuh-care-ia).

Hives can be a sign of an allergic reaction to things like food or an insect sting. Hives are very common – one out of every five people will have hives at some time in their life. It is common for hives to occur in children where there is no identifiable cause, this is called idiopathic urticaria. 

Treatment includes medicines and avoiding known triggers. The triggers may be different for each child, and it is common that a trigger cannot be identified. 

Signs and symptoms of hives

If your child has hives, they may have raised round wheals that look like mosquito bites. The wheals are red on the outside and can be white in the middle.

• Hives are normally very itchy, but can also sting.
• A single wheal often lasts several hours before fading without trace.
• The wheals appear in batches or clusters. New batches may develop as old areas fade away. 
• Often the wheals join together to form larger swellings. The area of affected skin can vary in size from quite small to as large as a dinner plate. 
• Depending on the trigger, hives usually settle over hours. When there is no identifiable cause (idiopathic urticaria), hives will usually go away within a few days, but may last weeks.

Hives can look or feel unpleasant, but usually they are harmless.

Anaphylaxis

 Sometimes children have a more serious allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

• difficulty with breathing and/or noisy breathing
• wheeze or persistent cough
• swelling of the tongue
• swelling and/or tightness in the throat
• difficulty talking or hoarse voice
• loss of consciousness and/or collapse
• becoming pale and floppy (infants/young children).

Call an ambulance immediately if your child has symptoms of anaphylaxis.

If your child has experienced anaphylactic reactions in the past, you may be advised to have an adrenaline autoinjector (e.g. an EpiPen) with you at all times. Your child could also wear a medical alert pendant or bracelet to let other people know what may cause them to have an allergic
reaction. Discuss this with your GP.

Hives only, without other features described above, is not anaphylaxis. 

What causes hives?

Hives are a skin rash which can be caused by an allergic reaction, when the immune system responds to a substance such as a food or insect venom. Hives in this case commonly last for a few hours once the trigger has been removed. Hives can commonly occur without a trigger, and may be the immune system responding to a viral illness/cold. These hives commonly come and go for a few days to weeks. Hives occur when a chemical called histamine is released.  

If hives are present for over a few days with no obvious cause, allergy tests are not needed, in these cases there is generally no external trigger and the hives with gradually improve with time. Sometimes these cases may also have associated swelling of the lips/eyes.

If hives appear soon after a certain food, medicine or insect sting, and resolve within a few hours after no further exposure to this trigger, then allergy testing may be indicated.  

Care at home

Most of the time, hives as the only symptom can be safely managed at home, without the need to see a doctor. A pharmacist might provide you with some non drowsy antihistamine medication for relief of symptoms during an episode. These are safe to use from six months of age and can be used once or twice daily if needed. The best treatment for hives is to avoid the cause or trigger, however this is not
always possible.

You can help treat your child’s hives by:

• avoiding known triggers for your child
• avoiding things that make the rash worse, such as sunshine, heat and hot showers
• applying cool compresses (a face washer, cloth nappy or clean tea towel soaked in cool water), which may help relieve the itching and stinging
• using non drowsy antihistamines (Cetirizine, Loratadine).  

When to see a doctor

 If your child continues to have hives for more than six weeks, take them to see your GP.

Treatment for severe or frequent hives may include:

• checking that the rash isn’t caused by an underlying disorder
• medications such as corticosteroids, which can reduce the immune system’s response to the triggers
• prescribing ongoing non drowsy antihistamines to provide relief from itching – these can be very useful if taken at bedtime.

If at any time the hives are associated with other symptoms (high fever, bruising, purple skin discolouration or joint pains), your child should be seen by a doctor.

If your child presents signs of anaphylaxis, then call an ambulance. 

Key points to remember

• Hives are very common and are usually harmless.
• Hives are a skin rash involving red, raised wheals that are usually very itchy.
• This type of skin rash can be an allergic reaction, which means the immune system responds to a substance as if it were toxic, but it can also have no known triggers and is the immune system responding to a viral illness.
• Treatment options include avoiding known triggers and medications such as antihistamines which can be used daily and rarely corticosteroids.
• Call an ambulance if your child has symptoms of anaphylaxis.

For more information

• Kids Health Info fact sheet:
  Allergic and anaphylactic reactions
• Kids Health Info fact sheet:
  Insect bites and stings
• See your GP.

Common questions our doctors are asked

How effective are antihistamine medications?

Antihistamine medication won’t treat existing hives, but it will prevent hives from getting worse and prevent new hives from erupting. If your child is exposed to a known trigger, it is best to give them antihistamine medication as soon as you can.

Are there any creams I can put on my child’s hives to stop
them itching?

Talk to your pharmacist about creams and lotions that may help reduce the intensity of the itching. The most effective creams will include antihistamine.

Should I take my child to see an allergy specialist to find
out the cause of his hives?

If you are unable to determine the trigger, it is useful to keep a food and activity diary. An allergy specialist can also perform further testing to determine the most likely triggers for your child’s hives.

Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital General Medicine and Dermatology departments. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

Reviewed October 2021.

Kids Health Info is supported by The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. To donate, visit

www.rchfoundation.org.au.

Hives Symptoms: What They Look Like

What Are the Symptoms of Hives?

“Hives are characterized by red or pale-colored welts on the skin, which typically come and go throughout the day,” says Sourab Choudhury, DO, a dermatologist and the chief medical officer at the Dermatology Specialists, a private dermatology practice in New York City. “Sometimes they itch, burn, or sting.”

Usually the welts will be surrounded by clear edges. They may look similar to bug bites, but hives generally will appear and disappear more quickly. They may itch, sometimes severely, and they’re not always the same size or shape. They may be as small as the tip of a pen or as large as a dinner plate. (4) When you press the center of a hive bump on the skin, it likely will turn from red to white, which is known as blanching. (2,3)

Hives may appear on the body grouped together and take over a large area of the skin, or as a couple of individual welts that show up here and there. (4) They can appear anywhere on the body, though some people get them in the same spot over and over again (usually as a result of a specific trigger). (4)

Generally, you’ll know you have hives simply by seeing the hives themselves. If you experience other symptoms, such as swelling in the eyes, lips, or inside of the throat, or if you have trouble breathing, you should call 911 or see a doctor immediately, says Sapna Palep, MD, a dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City. These symptoms indicate you may be experiencing a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. (5)

How to Know It’s Hives and Not One of These Other Skin Problems

“To the untrained eye, hives can have a similar appearance to other common skin conditions,” Dr. Choudhury says. He says one way to tell the difference is by how quickly the welts clear up.

“Hives will usually have an area of skin that welts up, goes away in a few hours, and then reappears somewhere else,” he says. Other skin issues that are often mistaken for hives tend to last for more than one day in the same location, he explains.

Also, check out the welts up close. “If the welts are filled with clear fluid, pus, or are brownish in color, it is likely not hives,” says Dr. Palep.

Hives are often mistaken for the following skin issues:

• Angioedema is swelling of tissue deep in the skin. It’s usually caused by an allergic reaction, certain medicines, or a genetic disposition. Generally, angioedema is accompanied by swollen lips, eyelids, hands, throat, or feet, trouble breathing, and cramps. (3)
• Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is common among children but can affect adults, too. Severe itchiness (especially at night), fluid-filled bumps, and red to brownish-gray patches indicate eczema rather than hives. (6)
• Bug bites may resemble hives in looks, but hives tend to behave differently. Hives may change shape and move around the body, whereas a bug bite stays in the same place. (3)
• Rosacea usually appears as redness on the face where swollen blood vessels become visible. It’s most common among middle-aged women with fair skin. The bumps look like acne and may contain pus, which hives generally do not. (7)
• Heat rash (also known as prickly heat or miliaria), as the name suggests, typically appears in hot and humid weather. Like hives, heat rash will appear as red bumps on the skin, though heat rash among adults generally occurs in areas where sweat gets trapped, such as in the armpit area, elbow creases, and the groin. (8)
• Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction that results from direct contact with something you’re allergic to, such as soap, jewelry, or a plant. The rash may be accompanied by blisters and typically lasts between two and four weeks, whereas hives will come and go within 24 hours. (9)

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Allergy to bedbug bites: symptoms and treatment

Allergy to bedbug bites

Last update: 11/21/2022

Bed bugs are blood-sucking insects that are active at night. Bed bug bites can cause a lot of trouble to a person: they not only cause severe itching and swelling of the skin, but also do not look at all aesthetically pleasing. Bed bug bites can also interfere with sleep patterns, leading to nervousness and irritability. In people who are prone to an atypical reaction of the immune system to the bites of other insects, cases of allergy to bed bug bites are common.

What are the causes of bedbug allergy?

Allergy to bed bug bites belongs to the category of so-called insect reactions – that is, manifested in response to an insect bite. Predisposition to this kind of reactions is living in places with unfavorable ecology, deviations in the immune system, general depletion of the body, as well as heredity.

Bedbugs have a special piercing-sucking organ, presented in the form of a proboscis. During a bite, the bug pierces the top layer of the skin with it to get to the capillary. Usually a person does not feel a bug bite, as the insect injects saliva into the wound – it contains a special anesthetic substance, the effect of which lasts about 10-15 minutes. After this time, the puncture site begins to itch and itch, but by this time the bug is already crawling away.

The reason for the appearance of an allergy to bed bug bites is the sensitivity of the body to the anesthetic substance found in the saliva of the insect. This is a fairly strong allergen: according to statistics, its intolerance occurs in 80% of the world’s population. Interestingly, the cause of the appearance of signs of allergy to bedbugs is not only their bites, but also waste products – particles of chitinous shell and excrement.

Symptoms of bedbug bites

Bed bug bites can be confused with other insect attacks, as well as diseases such as dermatitis or chickenpox. However, there are some distinguishing features that make it easy to distinguish bedbug bite marks from skin rashes or bites from other insects. These include the following:

• Bedbug bites usually form a chain, island or path. The distance between them is about 3-5 cm. Such a strict arrangement of bites is easy to explain: while searching for a suitable vessel, the insect makes several punctures, crawling to the side for a short distance. Such a series of bites allows the bug to get enough for several days, as it sucks up to 7 microliters of blood. This amount is not enough for the bitten person to feel unwell caused by blood loss. However, there are cases of constant and multiple bites by bedbugs of small children, as a result of which iron deficiency anemia develops in babies.
• Bed bug bites itch and itch a lot. But unlike traces of flea or mosquito attacks, the itching from bedbug bites passes quickly enough. If you do not comb the bitten places, they stop itching within one day.
• One of the signs of bedbug bites is a rounded swelling, on top of which there is a bump with a small red dot in the center. During the day, the redness disappears, and the point from the bite of the bug turns black.
• Skin around bed bug bites is swollen and red. Perhaps a local increase in temperature in places of bites (especially if there are a lot of them).

If a person is allergic to bedbug bites, more serious symptoms can join the above symptoms – a general increase in body temperature, headache, itching that does not stop for more than a day, cough, nasal congestion, sneezing, and Quincke’s edema. If there is a strong intolerance to bedbug bites, loss of consciousness and anaphylactic shock may occur. And if you can consult a doctor with itching and other non-dangerous signs of allergy to bedbug bites the next day after they appear, then if you experience dizziness, loss of consciousness or shortness of breath, you should call an ambulance as soon as possible!

Treatment of allergy to bug bites

The appointment of therapy should be handled by a doctor, so it is recommended to sign up for an appointment with an allergist or dermatologist as soon as possible. If the allergic reaction is not too pronounced, treatment may be limited to taking antihistamines. In cases where there is severe itching that interferes with normal life, the doctor may additionally prescribe sedatives. In the presence of pronounced skin manifestations, local preparations are prescribed – ointments, gels or creams of a hormonal or non-hormonal nature.

Folk remedies for bedbug bites

In addition to traditional medicines, traditional medicine recipes can be used for itching from a bug bite. Below is a list of fairly effective remedies that will help in eliminating unpleasant symptoms:

• Mint leaves. Peppermint has cooling properties that are good for itching. It is recommended to wash fresh leaves, grind them and apply to bite sites, wrapped in clean gauze or bandage.

• Onion juice. To relieve itching from bedbug bites, you can cut the head of an onion and attach it to the swelling with the cut point.

• Baking soda. It is necessary to dilute half a teaspoon of soda in a glass of warm water, stir and lubricate the bedbug bites with the resulting solution using a cotton pad.

• Plantain. Rinse and grind plantain leaves, then apply to itchy bites.
• A sequence. A decoction of a string has excellent antipruritic properties. To prepare it, you need to pour three tablespoons of grass with a glass of boiling water and leave for a quarter of an hour, then strain and wipe the bedbug bites. Also, the resulting infusion can be added to baths.
• Toothpaste. If the bite of a home bug is very itchy, and there are no other remedies at hand, you can lubricate it with a small amount of toothpaste. The extracts of menthol or eucalyptus included in its composition will help to forget about itching for a while.
• Cabbage. It is recommended to separate a fresh cabbage leaf from the head of cabbage and attach it to the site of the bed bug bite.
• Essential oils. Tea tree and lavender oils have drying, antiseptic properties, so they can be used to treat insect bites.

Allergy to bedbug bites in a child

Bed bug bites mostly affect women and children. This is due to the fact that women’s and children’s skin is thinner, smoother and more delicate, and blood vessels are located close to its surface. In addition, the male body has a more pronounced smell.

The appearance of an allergy to bed bug bites in children is due to a weak immune system, as well as the presence of a hereditary predisposition. If one of the parents or close relatives of the baby has a tendency to insect allergies, the chances that it will be inherited are very high.

How to get rid of bedbug bites?

Of course, getting rid of bedbug bites is very important. But in order for insects not to torment you every night, you must first get rid of their presence in an apartment or house.

• To do this, you need to buy a suitable product and treat sleeping places – beds, sofas, and armchairs.
• It is recommended to beat the mattress well or take it to a dry cleaner and change bed linen in a timely manner.
• It is believed that bed bugs have a harder time climbing metal and polished surfaces, so it is advisable to sleep on beds made of smooth materials.
• If at the moment it is not possible to completely remove the bedbugs, you can try to scare them away. To do this, you need to lay out herbs with a pungent smell under the bed – it can be wormwood, lavender.

Consequences of bedbug bites

Even if you do not have an allergy after being bitten by bedbugs, severe itching on the first day can cause you a lot of inconvenience. One of the undesirable consequences of bedbug bites is combing the bumps with dirty hands, which can lead to infection entering the wound. Infection of combed bed bug bites can lead to suppuration and inflammation, so combing the swelling is not recommended.

By themselves, the bites of domestic bugs are not dangerous – of course, if there is no hypersensitivity to them. However, the feeling that insects are crawling on bed linen and on the human body at night is not the most pleasant. It can lead to sleep disturbances and disruption of rest, and this is fraught with lack of sleep and irritability during the day.

In addition, bedbug bite marks can be very embarrassing for a person, interfering with his daily life, communication, work or study. Multiple redness and black dots, grouped in open areas of the body, cause a bitten person to be ashamed to appear in crowded places.

Many people are especially afraid of bedbug bites for another reason – the possibility of contracting viral diseases, among which HIV and hepatitis occupy a special place. However, with regard to bedbugs, this fear is unfounded. Even if the bug bites an infected carrier, the virus will lose its ability, as it mixes with the saliva of the insect. Another argument in favor of the impossibility of contracting viral diseases through a bug bite is as follows. The proboscis of the insect has two channels that do not communicate with each other: through one of them, an anesthetic substance enters the place of bite with saliva, and through the second the bug sucks in blood. Since these channels are not connected, infection by a bug bite cannot occur.

Do La Cree products help with bed bug bites?

As mentioned above, the appointment of treatment for bedbug bites should be handled by a doctor. However, you can supplement the therapy recommended by him with the use of pharmacy cosmetics. Regenerating cream “La Cree” has proven to be an effective remedy in the fight against itching and redness of the skin caused by bedbug bites. It contains no hormones, so the cream can be used for a long period of time. Since the restoring cream “La Cree” does not contain parabens and fragrances, it can be used by children, pregnant women and people prone to allergies.

Expert opinion

According to the results of numerous clinical studies, La Cree products, including a cream for sensitive skin, are recommended by the St. Petersburg branch of the Union of Pediatricians of Russia.

Efficacy, safety and tolerability of products has been proven by a clinical study. The cream is also suitable for daily skin care of a child with mild and moderate atopic dermatitis and during remission, accompanied by a decrease in the quality of life of patients. As a result of therapy, a decrease in the activity of the inflammatory process, a decrease in dryness, itching and flaking were noted.

La Cree cream for sensitive skin has been clinically proven to:

• reduces itching and irritation;
• relieves skin redness;
• moisturizes and cares for the skin.

Sources:

1. Sukolin Gennady Ivanovich, Illustrated Clinical Dermatology. Brief alphabetical guide, publishing house Lux Print, 2010
2. Chapman M. Shane, Habif Thomas P., Zug Catherine A., Dinulos James G. H., Campbell James L., Dermatology. Handbook of differential diagnosis, publishing house: MEDpress-inform, 2014
3. Anthony J. Mancini, Daniel P. Crouchuk, Pediatric Dermatology. Handbook, publishing house: Practical Medicine, 2018

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Allergy on the child’s body

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Allergy to the pope in a child

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What do bed bug bites look like on the human body?

Bed bugs are classified as harmful insects; they enter dwellings together with people. Parasites are very annoying, they prefer to settle next to the sleeping place, they are active at night. Insects suck blood from sleeping people. After these attacks, specific lesions appear on the skin, resembling mosquito bite marks. It is important to know how to protect yourself from the attacks of bloodthirsty settlers, to take timely measures aimed at their destruction.

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How do you recognize bedbug bites and how do they differ from other insects?

Not everyone can differentiate bedbug bites from bites of other pests. These creatures feed exclusively on human blood, they do not even drink water. They parasitize on humans, can attack pets, birds and even rodents. They create secret shelters for themselves near the source of feeding – in sofas, beds, mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture. The ability to bite painfully is possessed by both adults and their offspring.

Important! Blood for bedbugs is the main source of life, without it, pests die, lose the opportunity to reproduce.

In appearance, the bites of these insects are reddish spots forming paths, slightly swollen. They are located at approximately the same distance from each other. This is due to the fact that the pest does not attack one place, but bites in a chain. There is no poison in such punctures, but they cause severe discomfort. If a person is attacked by several individuals at once, many tracks remain on the body.

One series of punctures left by bedbugs overnight disappears in about 7 days. If there are a lot of pests in the home, the discomfort will be very strong. In rooms heavily infested with bedbugs, up to 500 or more bites per night remain on the body of people. These wounds are bloodless, but dried traces of blood can be seen on bedding. Often, eaten but dead parasites lie next to the red droplets, crushed during sleep by a person.

People who have not previously encountered bedbug bites often mistake marks on the body for rashes of unclear etiology. Some think they were bitten by other insects.

Mistakes in interpretation lead to the fact that the bugs remain undetected for a long time.

Differences between bedbug bites and other common insects

Mosquitoes attack in the summer , making an annoying squeak, their appearance is hard not to notice. At the same time, they pierce the skin without pain. A mosquito can bite even through thin clothing. After drinking blood, it leaves a pronounced mark, which is a blister with fuzzy contours, which itches a lot. In the mosquito population, only female individuals feed on blood, they need it for better reproduction of offspring. Bedbugs attack silently and year-round, punctures on the skin hurt. They give priority to bare areas of the body, crawl under clothes. To get enough, one puncture is not enough for them, so the parasites leave tracks on the body.

Fleas prefer to parasitize animals . If the population is large, they can cause discomfort to people. Insects attack armpit cavities, waist area and lower legs. Their bites are small points that have a chaotic arrangement.

Tick bite marks large and painful, always single . The parasite can be seen visually at the crime scene, it digs into the body.

Bed bugs are domestic insects, but midges bite outdoors during the warm season , causing instant discomfort. They leave numerous punctures on the body, which are arranged randomly. Dried blood is visible in the center of the bites, irritation in the form of redness appears around.

Sometimes dermatologists confuse traces of bedbug attacks with allergies and even chicken pox . In fact, it is not difficult to differentiate the bites of these parasites. They are characterized by a number of features. It is worth catching a bug red-handed and making sure that it is present when the first suspicions appear. It is recommended to carefully inspect the bed, blanket and other accessories for sleeping. You can try to abruptly turn on the lighting at night, if there are bugs in the house, they will definitely show up.

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Favorite bite sites for bed bugs

Bed bugs prefer to attack exposed areas of the body, but sometimes bed bugs get under clothes. They prefer areas of the body where the skin is tender and sensitive. In such places, it is easiest to leave punctures and get to the blood, respectively, and saturation occurs quickly.

The most vulnerable areas include the face, neck, inner surface of the hands, groin, abdomen. Sometimes bedbugs bite on the legs.

Symptoms after bed bug bites

It was found that 70% of people do not notice the bites of domestic bugs , but specific marks still remain on the body that cannot be ignored.

And the symptoms are quite characteristic:

• Puncture sites are round in shape and vary in diameter. In the center, a miniature hole made by the proboscis is noticeable.
• As for the color of the bites, they can be either pink or red. Almost always these places are a little swollen.
• Punctures are grouped in paths, insects move along the line of capillaries, leaving a chain of 3-6 or more bites.
• Punctures spaced 2-4 cm apart.
• Lesions present on exposed areas of the body.
• At the moments of the bites themselves, there is discomfort, but insignificant.
• These places itch, itch and become inflamed. The intensity of discomfort is influenced by the individual reaction.

Bedbugs bite all year round, both in warm and cold seasons. Fresh bite marks usually appear in the morning after night. During the day, pests hide in their shelters. During daylight hours, bedbugs attack only if they are very hungry.

How dangerous are bed bug bites?

One version says that bedbugs carry infectious diseases, but scientists have not yet found confirmation of this. There is a possibility that parasites transmit pathogenic microorganisms that provoke the development of dangerous diseases like tuberculosis and hepatitis. Some believe that the waste products of insects contain Burnet’s rickettsiae. We are talking about intracellular parasite bacteria that provoke an increase in body temperature and have a toxic effect on the body. Sometimes they can cause SARS.

Important! The main danger of bedbug bites is that they deprive people of the opportunity to sleep and rest normally.

Due to regular sleep disturbance, people become irritable and their productivity decreases. Bedbugs that have settled indoors in large numbers make the life of the household unbearable.

Blood-sucking insects can leave 500 bites or more, which is a large part of the body. Due to systemic bedbug bites, some people develop a skin rash – this problem becomes chronic. It is impossible to exclude the development of an allergic reaction with all the negative consequences. The response of parasites to insect bites may include swelling, watery eyes, runny nose, and difficulty breathing. Dangerous consequences include hives and even suffocation. Symptoms of neurosis often appear, some begin to think that parasites are crawling over them – this negatively affects overall well-being.

Multiple bedbug bites can cause angioedema, this is rare, but it does happen. With individual intolerance, anaphylactic shock may develop.

Involuntary scratching of itchy bites is fraught with infection, inflammation of lesions on the skin.

If there are many punctures, and the attacks of bedbugs are regular, signs of anemia may appear – a decrease in the concentration of iron in the blood. This condition is especially dangerous for young children.

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How to protect yourself from bedbugs

In order to prevent the appearance of bedbugs in the house, all cracks in the walls must be repaired. Do-it-yourself pest control is rarely effective. Folk remedies against these pests help little. The most reliable way to protect against bedbugs is to contact a professional pest control service. This should be done at the first suspicion of the presence of parasites in the house. Representatives of the Dezstantsiya service examine a house or apartment, identify pockets of accumulation of parasites, after which the quality and quickly exterminate the entire population.

Sanitization is carried out with specialized equipment using combined insecticides, which are characterized by prolonged action. Pesticides are sprayed by a fog generator. We use only chemical methods for the destruction of bedbugs in the apartment, as they have proven their speed and effectiveness. During such processing, there should be no residents and pets in the apartment.

This technology of spraying insecticides is considered the most effective, it ensures their uniform distribution throughout the site, penetration into places with difficult access.

Professional sanitation breaks the breeding chain, destroys adults and their larvae. An event aimed at combating bedbugs does not harm people and pets. The very next day you can sleep peacefully, because most of the population dies at the first contact with insecticides. The few surviving individuals are in a state of paralysis, their vital activity quickly stops due to intoxication.

Our disinfection and disinfection service is results driven and gives a guarantee for the destruction of bedbugs . This means that if you suspect the reappearance of bedbugs, you can always contact us again free of charge. Keep in mind that perhaps the problem lies not in your apartment, but in the housing of dysfunctional neighbors. Our experts will tell you what to do in this case and achieve forced pest control for them.

For your convenience, we are ready to leave for processing 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

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