How do chigger bites differ from other bug bites. What are the most effective treatments for chigger bites. How can you prevent chigger bites while enjoying outdoor activities. Where are chiggers commonly found in the United States. Why are chigger bites so intensely itchy.

Understanding Chiggers: Tiny Mites with a Big Bite

Chiggers, often referred to as “berry bugs” or “red bugs,” are microscopic mites that can cause significant discomfort through their bites. These tiny arachnids are prevalent across large swathes of the United States, particularly in the South, Great Plains, and Mid-Atlantic regions. Despite their bright red coloration, chiggers are incredibly small, measuring about the size of a grain of salt, making them nearly impossible to spot with the naked eye.

Dr. Lee Townsend, a professor emeritus of entomology at the University of Kentucky, explains that chiggers are immature mites that feed on small mammals and humans. It’s important to note that while all chiggers are mites, not all mites are chiggers. Only certain species bite during their larval stage, earning the chigger moniker.

The Feeding Habits of Chiggers

Unlike mosquitoes and ticks, chiggers don’t feed on blood. Instead, they consume skin cells and tissue. Dr. Townsend clarifies that chiggers use their saliva to break down and digest these cells, which is what triggers the intense skin reaction in humans.

Identifying Chigger Bites: Key Characteristics and Differences

Distinguishing chigger bites from other insect bites can be challenging, as individual reactions may vary. However, there are several telltale signs that can help you identify chigger bites:

• Intense itching: Chigger bites are notorious for causing extreme itchiness, often described as more intense than most other bug bites.
• Clustered appearance: Chiggers typically feed in groups, resulting in clusters of red welts rather than isolated bumps.
• Location preferences: These mites tend to gather in warm, moist areas of the body such as sock lines, waistbands, armpits, and behind the knees.
• Delayed reaction: Unlike some insect bites that cause immediate discomfort, chigger bites may not become noticeable for several hours after exposure.

Dr. Michael Merchant, a professor of entomology at Texas A&M University, emphasizes that the intensity of itching associated with chigger bites is often unparalleled. If you notice a pattern of bites confined to areas where clothing was tight against your skin, it’s likely you’ve encountered chiggers.

Treatment Options for Chigger Bites: Alleviating the Itch

While chigger bites can be incredibly uncomfortable, they typically resolve on their own within a week, often in just a few days. Once chiggers finish feeding, they naturally drop off the skin. However, there are several steps you can take to manage symptoms and promote healing:

1. Take a hot shower and thoroughly soap the affected areas to remove any remaining chiggers.
2. Apply calamine lotion to reduce itching and inflammation.
3. Use cold compresses to soothe irritated skin.
4. Consider oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or cetirizine (Zyrtec) to manage itching.
5. Dab rubbing alcohol on the bites to provide temporary relief.

In most cases, chigger bites don’t require medical attention. However, if you notice signs of infection such as increasing redness, swelling, or the presence of pus, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional.

The Science Behind Chigger Bite Itchiness

The intense itching associated with chigger bites is a result of the mite’s unique feeding process. Unlike many biting insects, chiggers don’t actually burrow into the skin. Instead, they attach to a skin pore or hair follicle and inject saliva containing digestive enzymes. This saliva breaks down skin cells, creating a small, hardened feeding tube called a stylostome.

The stylostome acts as a straw through which the chigger feeds on liquefied skin cells. It’s this process, and the body’s reaction to the chigger’s saliva, that causes the extreme itching sensation. The itching can persist even after the chigger has detached, as the stylostome remains in the skin for several days.

The Myth of Burrowing Chiggers

A common misconception is that chiggers burrow into the skin and need to be “suffocated” with nail polish or other substances. This is not true. Chiggers remain on the surface of the skin, and attempting to suffocate them is ineffective and may even exacerbate skin irritation.

Preventing Chigger Bites: Strategies for Outdoor Enthusiasts

While chiggers can put a damper on outdoor activities, there are several effective strategies to minimize your risk of bites:

• Wear protective clothing: Long sleeves, pants, and tall socks can create a barrier between your skin and chiggers.
• Use insect repellents: Products containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 can be effective against chiggers.
• Treat clothing with permethrin: This insecticide can be applied to clothing and gear for added protection.
• Avoid high-risk areas: Stay on cleared trails and avoid tall grass, dense undergrowth, and areas with decaying vegetation.
• Shower promptly: After spending time outdoors, take a hot shower and wash your clothes in hot water to remove any chiggers that may be present.

By implementing these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce your chances of encountering chiggers and enjoy outdoor activities with peace of mind.

Chigger Habitats: Where These Mites Thrive

Understanding where chiggers are most likely to be found can help you avoid areas of high risk. Dr. Townsend explains that chiggers prefer specific environmental conditions:

• Shaded areas: Chiggers seek shelter from direct sunlight.
• High humidity: Moist environments are ideal for chigger survival.
• Tall grasses and dense vegetation: These provide cover and harbor small mammals that chiggers feed on.
• Forested areas: Wooded regions with ample shade and moisture are prime chigger habitats.
• Overgrown fields: Unkempt areas with diverse plant life often harbor chigger populations.

Interestingly, chiggers are less common in well-maintained lawns and landscaped areas. This is because these environments lack the shade, moisture, and small mammal populations that chiggers require to thrive.

Seasonal Chigger Activity

Chigger activity varies throughout the year, with peak seasons typically occurring during the warmer months. In most regions of the United States, chiggers are most active from late spring through early fall. However, in warmer southern states, chigger season may extend well into autumn or even year-round in some areas.

The Impact of Climate Change on Chigger Populations

As global temperatures rise due to climate change, researchers are observing shifts in the distribution and activity patterns of many insect and arachnid species, including chiggers. These changes could have significant implications for public health and outdoor recreation:

• Extended active seasons: Warmer temperatures may lead to longer periods of chigger activity in many regions.
• Expanded geographic range: Chiggers may be able to survive and thrive in areas previously too cool for their habitation.
• Increased population density: More favorable conditions could result in larger chigger populations in some areas.
• Changes in habitat preferences: Shifting climate patterns may alter vegetation and wildlife distributions, potentially creating new chigger hotspots.

While the full extent of climate change’s impact on chigger populations remains to be seen, it underscores the importance of ongoing research and adapting prevention strategies to changing environmental conditions.

Chiggers and Disease Transmission: Separating Fact from Fiction

A common concern among those who encounter chiggers is whether these mites can transmit diseases. Dr. Townsend provides reassurance on this front, stating that in the United States, chiggers are not known to transmit any diseases to humans. This is in contrast to some other regions of the world where certain species of chiggers can be vectors for diseases.

However, it’s important to note that while chiggers themselves don’t transmit diseases, their bites can lead to secondary infections if not properly cared for. The intense itching associated with chigger bites can lead to scratching, which may break the skin and provide an entry point for bacteria.

Signs of Secondary Infection

To avoid complications, it’s crucial to monitor chigger bites for signs of infection. Seek medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Increasing redness or swelling around the bite area
• Warmth or tenderness at the bite site
• Pus or fluid discharge from the bites
• Fever or flu-like symptoms
• Formation of a yellow or golden crust on the bites
• Severe pain or discomfort
• Hives, vomiting, or nausea

In cases of severe itching or potential infection, healthcare providers may prescribe topical steroids or even administer localized steroid injections to provide relief and prevent complications.

The Biology of Chiggers: Life Cycle and Behavior

Understanding the life cycle and behavior of chiggers can provide valuable insights into their impact on humans and how to avoid them effectively. Chiggers go through several distinct life stages:

1. Egg: Adult female chiggers lay eggs in soil or vegetation.
2. Larva: This is the only stage where chiggers bite humans and other animals. Larval chiggers are typically bright red and extremely small.
3. Nymph: After feeding, larvae molt into nymphs, which do not feed on humans.
4. Adult: Adult chiggers also do not bite humans, instead feeding on plant materials and small insects.

It’s worth noting that the entire chigger life cycle can be completed in as little as two months under favorable conditions. This rapid development allows chigger populations to grow quickly when environmental factors are suitable.

Chigger Feeding Behavior

Contrary to popular belief, chiggers do not feed for extended periods. In fact, most chigger larvae remain attached to their host for only a few days before dropping off to continue their development. During this time, they prefer to feed in areas where the skin is thin or where clothing fits tightly against the body.

Chiggers are attracted to their hosts through a combination of factors, including body heat, carbon dioxide emissions, and the scent of skin and sweat. Once on a host, they may wander for several hours before settling on a feeding site, which explains why bites often appear in clusters or lines.

Innovative Approaches to Chigger Control and Management

As our understanding of chigger biology and behavior advances, new strategies for control and management are being developed. These innovative approaches aim to reduce chigger populations and minimize human-chigger interactions:

• Biological control: Research is being conducted on natural predators of chiggers, such as certain species of mites and small insects, which could be used to manage chigger populations in high-risk areas.
• Habitat modification: Landscape management techniques that reduce favorable chigger habitats, such as maintaining short grass and removing leaf litter, can help minimize chigger presence in recreational areas.
• Advanced repellents: Scientists are exploring new compounds and formulations that may provide longer-lasting and more effective protection against chiggers.
• Environmental monitoring: The development of sophisticated monitoring tools and predictive models can help identify chigger hotspots and forecast periods of high chigger activity.
• Public education: Improved awareness programs and resources can help individuals better understand chigger risks and take appropriate preventive measures.

These innovative approaches, combined with traditional prevention methods, offer promising avenues for reducing the impact of chiggers on outdoor enthusiasts and improving overall outdoor experiences.

Chiggers in Popular Culture and Folklore

Despite their small size, chiggers have made a significant impact on popular culture and folklore, particularly in regions where they are prevalent. The intense discomfort caused by their bites has led to numerous colloquial names and references in literature, music, and local traditions.

Regional Names and Expressions

Chiggers are known by various names across different regions, reflecting their cultural significance:

• “Red bugs” in the southern United States
• “Berry bugs” in parts of Europe
• “Harvest mites” in the UK
• “Scrub-itch mites” in Australia

These diverse names highlight the widespread impact of chiggers and how they’ve been integrated into local lexicons.

Chiggers in Literature and Music

References to chiggers can be found in various forms of artistic expression:

• Country and folk music often mention chiggers in lyrics about rural life and outdoor adventures.
• Regional literature, particularly works set in the American South, sometimes includes chiggers as part of the environmental backdrop or as a source of discomfort for characters.
• Humorous anecdotes and tall tales featuring chiggers are common in oral traditions of areas where these mites are prevalent.

These cultural references not only reflect the prevalence of chiggers in certain regions but also serve to educate and warn others about the potential discomfort associated with these tiny arachnids.

The Future of Chigger Research and Management

As our understanding of chiggers continues to evolve, so too do the strategies for managing their impact on human health and outdoor activities. Future research directions and management approaches may include:

• Genomic studies to better understand chigger biology and potentially develop targeted control methods
• Investigation of the potential ecological roles of chiggers in their native habitats
• Development of more effective and environmentally friendly repellents and treatments
• Exploration of the potential impacts of climate change on chigger distribution and behavior
• Integration of advanced technologies, such as remote sensing and artificial intelligence, to predict and manage chigger populations

These ongoing efforts aim to minimize the negative impacts of chiggers while balancing ecological considerations and the need for outdoor recreation. As research progresses, we can expect more sophisticated and tailored approaches to chigger management, allowing people to enjoy outdoor activities with reduced risk of encountering these persistent mites.

How to Know When It’s a Chigger Bite

Sometimes called “berry bugs” or “red bugs,” chiggers populate large sections of the United States — including all of the South, the Great Plains, and the Mid-Atlantic. Though they’re often bright red in color, chiggers are only about the size of a grain of salt — making them almost impossible to spot either in the wild or on a person’s skin.

“Chiggers are a type of immature mite that spend time feeding on small mammals, and also on humans,” says Lee Townsend, PhD, a professor emeritus of entomology at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Dr. Townsend says that there are many different species of mites, but only a few types that bite during their larval stage. It’s these that are referred to as chiggers. “Not all mites are chiggers, but all chiggers are mites,” he adds.

Unlike mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting bugs, chiggers don’t attach themselves to mammals in order to suck blood. Instead, chiggers feast on skin cells and tissue, Townsend explains. But much like mosquitoes and ticks, chiggers can induce a nasty skin reaction. That reaction, he says, comes from the chigger’s saliva, which they use to break down and digest the cells and tissues they devour.

RELATED: 7 Skin Conditions That Look Contagious, but Aren’t

Chigger Bites Look a Lot Like Other Bug Bites, So Here’s How to Correctly ID Them

As with all bug bites, there’s some person-to-person variation when it comes to chigger bites.

“Different people react differently to bites, so it can be really difficult to tell the difference between bites of things like mosquitoes from chiggers,” Townsend says. Especially if you’re bitten by a lone chigger, the red welt that forms may look more or less identical to a mosquito bite.

But there are bite characteristics that can show up that can help differentiate chiggers from other bugs. For one thing, chigger bites tend to take itchiness to a whole new level. “I don’t know of many things as intensely itchy as a chigger bite,” says Michael Merchant, PhD, a professor of entomology at Texas A&M University in Dallas.

Also, chiggers tend to latch onto a person’s skin in groups. You won’t be able to see them without the aid of a magnifying glass. But you may feel some irritation when they first start feeding. And the resulting bites often appear as clusters of red welts — as opposed to a single itchy lump or a red rash. (1) If you have a swath of itchy skin lumps that looks like many mosquito bites or welts, it’s a good bet you’re dealing with chiggers. (2)

Another characteristic of these bites: chiggers like to gather in areas that are hot and sweaty — like the insides of socks, at waistlines, inside armpits, or behind the knees, Dr. Merchant says. “If you see a pattern of bites only where your sock was, that’s probably chiggers,” he adds.

What Can I Do to Treat Chigger Bites and Relieve the Itching?

While itchy and uncomfortable — not to mention unsightly — chigger bites tend to resolve on their own within a week — and often within a few days. (3) “Once they’re done feeding, [chiggers] drop off on their own,” Townsend says. He recommends taking a hot shower and soaping the area thoroughly. (This can remove chiggers before they’ve had the chance to cause welts and irritation, he says.) Applying topical calamine cream can also help reduce the itch, he adds. So can cold compresses, oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or cetirizine (Zyrtec), and rubbing alcohol. (4)

RELATED: What Is an Antihistamine?

Do you need to see a doctor? In most cases, no. “Chiggers can transmit diseases in some other parts of the world, but not here,” Townsend says of domestic chiggers.

That said, chigger bites can put a person at risk for a secondary infection. That could happen if you scratch the bite (or bites) and break open the skin, allowing in bacteria, Merchant says.

If the swelling or redness around a bite is getting worse several days after it first appeared, or if you notice a fever or other flu-like symptoms, those may be signs of an infection. The same is true if the bite is leaking fluid, has developed a yellow, golden crust, or has become painful, or if you’re experiencing hives, vomiting, or nausea — see a doctor. (5)

Doctors can prescribe prescription topical steroids or even inject dilute steroids into intensely itchy bites if you don’t experience relief from over-the-counter options.

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Bug Bites and Disease

Yes, You Can Avoid Getting Chigger Bites and Still Enjoy the Outdoors

Chiggers usually live in shaded or overgrown areas like forests and wild fields, Townsend says. “They need shelter from the sun and they like high humidity, so they tend to like tall grasses and places where there are mice and small mammals around,” he says. “You’re not going to run into many of them out in mowed or landscaped areas.”

For that reason, keeping yards or outdoor areas well-tended and free of overgrowth and brush are effective ways to keep chigger populations to a minimum. Staying on walking paths — as opposed to making your way through tall grass or wilder areas — is another way to avoid picking up chiggers. (6)

If you’re going to be tramping through woods or picking fruit in a field, those are times when you’ll want to take extra precautions to guard yourself against chiggers. Townsend recommends wearing long pants and tucking them into your socks. “Repellents also help,” he says, mentioning common types like DEET, which is also used to repel mosquitoes and ticks. Be sure to use those repellents on your shoes and lower legs — places chiggers tend to latch on.

And again, taking a hot, soapy shower after you’ve been in chigger-infested areas can help remove them before they cause skin irritation, Townsend says.

Chiggers are a nuisance — and their bites can be incredibly itchy. But if you can resist scratching those bites, they don’t cause any long-term issues or health complications.

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Common Spider Bite Symptoms: Household, Wolf Spider

While some spider bites cause only redness and itching, others are more dangerous. Here’s how to identify spiders that bite — and what to do if you get bitten.

Medically Reviewed

There are more than 50,000 types of spiders in the world. All spiders have eight legs, no wings, and only two body parts: a thorax and an abdomen. They also all have fangs and enough venom to kill the insects that make up their diet. But only a handful of spiders have fangs and venom that can penetrate human skin — including the brown recluse spider, hobo spider, camel spider, wolf spider, black widow spider, and banana spider. Most spiders are harmless and will bite only if they feel threatened. But depending on the spider and its victim, spider bites can cause anything from mild itching and redness to a reaction that becomes a medical emergency. Here’s detailed info on some common spiders and their bites.

The Brown Recluse Spider

The brown recluse spider gets its name from its habit of living in dark corners inside or outside homes, such as in woodpiles, closets, attics, and basements. This spider is more common in areas that have warm and dry climates, like the south and central areas of the United States. The brown recluse is about a half-inch to an inch long, is light brown in color, and has a violin-shaped mark on its back. The distinctive mark gives the spider these other nicknames: the violin spider or fiddleback spider.

The Brown Recluse Spider Bite

The brown recluse spider’s venom may cause burning pain and itching within several hours after a bite. The actual bite may cause a stinging sensation or not be felt at all. The bite has the appearance of a bull’s-eye, with a central blister that scabs and falls off, leaving a small ulcer. Possible symptoms include body aches and fever. Children may be at risk for an allergic reaction to the venom. To treat a brown recluse spider bite, immediately wash it and apply an ice pack. You can also use an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. In most cases, symptoms resolve within 48 hours, but the central ulcer may take weeks to heal.

The Black Widow Spider

The black widow spider is about the same size as the brown recluse spider (a half-inch to an inch long) and also likes dark places. This spider is usually found outside in sheds, barns, or woodpiles. The black widow can be identified by her shiny black color and a red or orange hourglass marking on the underside of her abdomen. Only the bite of the female spider is dangerous. Black widows can be found throughout the United States but are most common in warmer and drier areas.

The Black Widow Spider Bite

The victim of a black widow spider’s bite usually feels it right away, and there may be fang marks and swelling. If you are bitten, you should clean and ice the bite. If the spider has injected venom, you may experience muscle aches and cramps that spread from the bite area to the rest of the body. Possible symptoms include nausea, difficulty breathing, and weakness. If someone bitten by a black widow spider experiences muscle cramps, emergency medical care may include blood pressure medication, muscle relaxants, and, in rare cases, antivenin — a biologic product created to counteract the effects of a spider’s venom. Serious reactions are rare, but are most common in children or very elderly people.

The Hobo Spider

The hobo spider is not native to the United States. It arrived in the northwest from Europe and is now common in California, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. The spider is about one-half inch long and has long legs that allow it to move quickly on the ground. Its upper body is brown and its abdomen is grayish with yellow markings. The hobo likes to live in cracks or holes both inside and outside.

The Hobo Spider Bite

The hobo bite resembles the brown recluse bite, with a central blister that scabs and ulcerates, surrounded by a ring of swollen discoloration. Within an hour after the bite, the hobo spider’s venom can cause a numbing sensation and muscle or joint aches. After about three days, a black scab falls off, leaving an open, slow-healing type of wound.

The Wolf Spider

The wolf spider is common all over the United States. It doesn’t weave webs, and it gets its name from its habit of stalking prey like a wolf. The wolf spider is brown or gray in color and can be 3 to 4 inches across. Because some wolf spiders are large and hairy, they are sometimes mistaken for tarantulas. The female may be identified by a white egg sac that she carries with her. This spider prefers to live outdoors on the ground in loose sand or gravel, but it may wander indoors and be spotted running across the floor.

The Wolf Spider Bite

The wolf spider’s bite can cause pain, redness, and swelling. Its large fangs may tear the skin, which can become infected and cause lymph nodes to swell. Treatment of a wolf spider bite includes cleansing and icing. Swelling and pain can last up to 10 days, but medical attention is usually not necessary unless the victim is a small child or someone who is sick or elderly.

The Camel Spider

Camel spiders are sometimes called wind scorpions or sun spiders, but in reality, they are neither scorpions nor spiders. They belong to a group of desert creatures called solpugids, and they have elongated bodies that make them look more like scorpions than spiders. The name, derived from Latin, means “escape from the sun.” In the United States, camel spiders can be found in the deserts of the southwest. They are light brown in color, can be up to 5 inches long, and can run at about 10 miles per hour — often making a screaming sound while doing so.

The Camel Spider Bite

During the Iraq war, soldiers described huge camel spiders that seemed to run at them in a screaming attack mode. In reality these creatures, though scary in appearance, are not dangerous to humans, and if they run at someone, they are probably just seeking shade in the person’s shadow. They do not have any venom and do not bite except in self-defense. A bite is very unlikely and would not be dangerous to a person if it did happen.

The Banana Spider

The banana spider is found in warm regions of the United States from North Carolina through the Gulf states. It lives in woodlands and forests and produces large, intricate orb webs that glow golden in the sun. The female has a long shape that resembles a banana. She can be about three inches long and has yellow spots on her tan cylindrical body and brown and orange tufts on her legs. The male banana spider is an inconspicuous dark brown and less than an inch long.

The Banana Spider Bite

The banana spider is often confused with the Brazilian wandering spider, which is found among bananas shipped to the United States from South America; neither spider is native to North America. Although the Brazilian spider bite can be dangerous, the banana spider bite is not. Banana spiders will bite only if held or pinched. The bite produces mild stinging and redness (similar to a bee sting) that quickly goes away.

symptoms, consequences, treatment, photos of bites

Biting midges – these annoying bloodsuckers are part of the midges and can crawl into the ears, eyes, nose and mouth. In a mass attack, they can cause serious harm to human health. Insect saliva is toxic, getting into the blood, causes both local (redness, swelling at the bite site) and general (fever, fever) reactions.

Why is the bite of an ordinary midge dangerous, and what to do if you have already been bitten?
– the entomologist Svetlana Zarechnaya will tell.

Contents

Fight against midges. Overview of methods and means

According to scientific classification, midges are a separate family of insects. Outwardly, they resemble miniature (2-4 mm) flies: two wings, a piercing-sucking type of mouth apparatus, and three pairs of legs. But in everyday life, midges are called insects from any family in the presence of small sizes and a similar appearance.

A separate species of midges feeds on the blood of people, wild and domestic animals. Such carnivorous midges belong to the midge complex – blood-sucking insects with wings. Despite the fact that midges living in different climatic conditions are different, the consequences of their bites are similar. The reaction and symptoms depend on the immune response and other characteristics of the individual.

Differential diagnosis of insect bites

Therefore, do not try to diagnose and prescribe treatment according to articles on the Internet. This should only be done by a qualified doctor. This is especially true in cases with an acute reaction to the bite. Therefore, the recommendations below should be taken as an introductory text, and not a direct guide to action. However, we have tried to list simple and useful recommendations to alleviate the effects of a bite.

Illustration, a bite mark of a midge

What does a midge bite look like?

Depending on the presence of a blood-sucking proboscis, the bite site looks different:

• A small maroon spot appears if the mouth apparatus is adapted to bite through the skin, and is equipped with a proboscis for sucking blood (like a mosquito).

• A small red abrasion with torn edges remains after a midge bite without a blood-sucking proboscis. Such insects, when bitten, simply tear out a piece of skin.

Mosquito bite site

The bite site, especially the second type, may bleed for a while, and then covered with a crust of gore. The saliva of bloodsuckers contains a component that prevents blood clotting. Therefore, if a lot of it enters the wound, blood can flow for a long time. At the same time, the bite site remains red and burns, as if the insect had damaged the skin a few seconds ago. To prevent infection, it is important to immediately disinfect the wound.

Midge bites cause such manifestations: hardening of tissues and swelling, the appearance of compaction and redness near the bite site. One or more symptoms may appear at the same time.

The intensity of the symptoms depends solely on the characteristics of the organism. Some people have a small spot of a perfectly round shape 5-10 mm in size. In others, an area of ​​arbitrary shape over 10 cm in size turns red and swells. In the case of an acute allergic reaction, the body reacts to a bite very quickly. Moreover, as time passes without adequate assistance, the consequences are aggravated.

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Symptoms of midge bites

In the photo you can see what the skin looks like after a bite.

Skin after a bite.

The list of symptoms is extensive:

• Burning, which is replaced by itching.

• Monotonous dull or sharp, as if throbbing pain.

• Hypersensitivity of the skin or, conversely, a weakening of sensitivity in the area of ​​​​the bite.

The specific reaction of the body, swelling and color of the bite site is individual. The intensity depends on where the midge bit the person. Where the skin is thinner (face, inner thighs) redness and swelling are more noticeable.

With an allergy, you will have to face an arbitrary combination of the following symptoms:

• Itching and the appearance of red spots on the skin far beyond the bite.

• Edema of mucous membranes. Due to edema, it can even stuff up the nose, swell the larynx or tissues in the mouth.

• Active tearing of the eyes.

With an allergic reaction, midge bites may look like this:

Allergic reactions

With numerous bites, a deterioration in well-being begins, which may be accompanied by an allergic reaction. In this case, the symptoms mentioned earlier will be added:

Fever, shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness and nausea, changes in blood pressure. In such cases, you should immediately consult a doctor. Otherwise, an allergy may be followed by anaphylactic shock.

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How long does a midge bite heal?

Recovery time depends on the intensity of the allergic reaction and general health:

• 1-4 days for mild reaction.

• 4-10 days in case of local allergy.

• 7-14 days for severe allergies.

In addition to allergies, the duration of the preservation of edema is affected by the metabolic rate and timely treatment. If you immediately consult a doctor, even severe swelling will subside in 1-3 days. Redness and other symptoms will also disappear much sooner than 2 weeks.

But the period after which there will be no trace of a bite depends on the size of the damage and the speed of skin regeneration. Small wounds heal on average in a week. If the bite is also combed, then healing can take more than a month.

The midge has eaten into the skin

What to do if the midge has bitten?

Therapy for insect bites in the presence of local reactions is carried out mainly with antihistamines (suprastin, tavegil, etc.). In order to reduce pain, itching and burning, analgesics are used. Means with glucocorticoids are applied locally.
With a bullous rash, an opening of the blisters is used.

After a bite, you must immediately disinfect the wound with one of the following means:

Important: alcohol-containing preparations destroy the infection, but cause skin burns. This increases the healing time and can lead to scarring. It is better to use miramistin, hydrogen peroxide and other non-alcohol-based products.

A special “bite ointment” effectively relieves itching and burning. But at the first moment it can be replaced with improvised means:

• Sprinkle the skin with baking soda.

• Apply ice, some frozen food.

• Lubricate the area around the bite with hand cream or a simple hygienic lipstick.

Important: ice and any other compounds should not get on an open wound. You only need to treat the skin around the bite.

After treating the wound, the development of a reaction to the bite should be observed and the consequences treated.

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How to treat a midge bite?

For the speedy healing and prevention of complications, remedies that relieve swelling, soothe burning and itching, and accelerate wound healing are suitable:

• Belogent

• eplan

• Afloderm

• Beloderm

• Butadion

• Irikar

• Kuterid

• Fenistil

• Exalb

Before treating bites, carefully read the instructions for the medication and strictly follow the recommendations for the frequency of application and dosage of the drug. Antihistamines will help relieve or stop allergy symptoms: loratadine, suprastin, clarifer, lomilan, diazolin, clarotadine and others. All of these funds are freely sold in pharmacies. If they are of little help, you should consult a doctor who will prescribe a course of treatment.

Where should I turn if bitten by a midge?

Actions depend on the situation and the time elapsed since the bite:

• If a violent reaction occurs immediately after a bite, hurry to the emergency room.

• When signs of anaphylactic shock appear, an ambulance should be called urgently.

• If the effects do not go away for a long time, consult a therapist. After the examination, he will issue a referral to a specialist.

Tip: you can save time on a visit to a therapist in a commercial clinic. There, allergists and dermatologists immediately see patients.

Unfortunately, being in nature, it is difficult to avoid insect bites. If midges attack you in your summer cottage, it makes sense to order a professional service for the destruction of garden pests.

Biting midge

Those who suffer from allergies should prepare for the summer season in advance. For this:

• Consult with an allergist who, based on tests and allergy tests, will advise the best treatment regimen in case of a bite.

• Buy a standard first aid kit and add the products prescribed by the allergist to it. Grab it when you go on a picnic.

• Search in the navigator, enter the telephone numbers of emergency centers located near the cottage or other country vacation spot where you plan to go in your smartphone notebook.

These measures can help save lives when an allergic reaction can turn into anaphylactic shock.

However, this applies only to a small group of people suffering from allergies. In most cases, the midge can only cause mild itching and redness of the bite site.

Why is a midge bite contagious?

In the tropical countries of Africa, Central and South America, midges are active specific carriers of onchocerciasis (filariasis) in humans and animals. In endemic areas, the incidence of onchocerciasis can reach 80%. The disease is often accompanied by blindness. On the territory of Russia, human onchocerciasis has not been registered, but there is onchocerciasis in cattle, the carriers of which are such mass species as Od. ornata, Sim. morsitans, B. erythrocephala, etc. Midges are specific carriers of avian hemosporidiosis that affects poultry and pigeons. Mechanically, midges can transmit pathogens of tularemia and anthrax. Thus, there are no known cases of midges infecting people in Russia with any specific infections.

Ways to deal with midges?

Fighting activities

The fight against midges should be aimed at protecting humans and animals from attacking bloodsuckers. This can be achieved by carrying out complex measures, including the fight against larvae, the fight against adults and individual protection of the population. At the same time, the main attention should be paid to environmentally friendly methods and means of control.

Sustainable improvement of the territory is achieved only through the implementation of measures aimed at the prevention and reduction of breeding sites: regulation of the flow rate and periodic changes in the water level in watercourses with the help of dams and locks, mechanical cleaning of the channel.

The best effect is the extermination of the larvae. At one time, the method of treating breeding sites with a 20% mineral-oil emulsion of DDT at the rate of 0.1-0.2 g of DDT per 1 m³ of water has proven itself well. The drug was injected into the watercourse at a point above the location of the larvae with a 30-minute exposure. A one-time treatment made it possible to clear several tens of kilometers of the channel from larvae. Such treatments were repeated several times a season, since the cleared areas were again colonized by larvae migrating from the upper reaches of the rivers. However, the use of strong insecticides polluted the water and caused significant damage to the fauna and flora of the rivers. Later, this drug was replaced by Bactoculicide and other environmentally friendly drugs.

The fight against adults is especially difficult, which is determined by the spread of midges over tens of kilometers. from breeding sites. It is possible to create a barrier around the protected area using aerosols or smoke bombs, but the effect of such a struggle is short-lived and often ineffective.

For individual protection of the population, it is necessary to use the nets of Academician E.N. Pavlovsky, which should be impregnated with repellents. In regions where biting midges are included in the midges, besides mosquitoes and midges, it is recommended to wear special protective clothing (Dremova V.P. et al. 1977). This recommendation applies primarily to lumberjacks, geologists, tourists, etc.

To prevent midges from flying into rooms, in residential and livestock buildings, it is necessary to check the windows. During the period of a mass attack, livestock also suffers greatly from midges: milk yields decrease, cases of death are noted. In the season of activity of bloodsuckers, the veterinary service organizes the processing of livestock before driving it to pastures.

Zarechnaya Svetlana Nikitichna
Freelance entomologist

Associate Professor, Ph.D.

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Bitten by a midge. Most frequently asked questions

Flying light trap overview

What might a midge bite look like?

Immediately after the bite, a small burgundy spot may appear. The bite will be similar to a mosquito bite, as some midges have a proboscis to pierce the skin. Also, after a bite, you can find an abrasion or a wound with torn edges. This kind of bite comes from midges that do not have a proboscis to bite. Midges of this species simply tear out a piece of skin. Such a wound can bleed for a long time due to the saliva of the midge.

What happens from a midge bite?

Each organism has its own reaction to a midge bite. In most cases, a red spot ranging in size from 5 mm to 1 cm appears at the site of the bite. There is also a noticeable induration and swelling. In the event of an allergic reaction to the saliva of a bloodsucker, the bite site may swell and a red spot in diameter can reach 10 cm.

What to do if you have an allergic reaction to a midge sting?

If after a midge bite, the bite site is very swollen or the spot around exceeds 2 cm, then this is an allergic reaction to the midge’s saliva. It is important to immediately treat the wound with an antiseptic preparation. If necessary, take antihistamines and in no case touch or comb the bite.

Is a midge bite dangerous?

A midge bite is dangerous only with an allergic reaction. If after the bite you feel good, and the bite site is not swollen beyond the norm, then everything is in order. On average, the bite will completely disappear in a week.

Which doctor should I contact after an insect bite?

In case of a painful insect bite, after which swelling, hyperemia, pain or itching appeared, you can consult a surgical doctor (surgeon, traumatologist, including a trauma center. In their absence, these specialists – a therapist (pediatrician), an allergist-immunologist, a dermatologist .
If there is increasing swelling, hyperemia (redness), severe itching and pain, fever, increased heart rate and other alarming symptoms, then you should consult an allergist or call an ambulance.

Price for pest control from flies?

The price of flies disinfestation depends on the availability of breeding places and nets on the windows.

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articles from the specialists of the clinic “Mother and Child”

Vergazova Asya Nikolaevna

Rheumatologist, Endocrinologist

Clinical Hospital “AVICENNA” GC “Mother and Child”

Mosquitoes, midges

Mosquitoes and midges are not poisonous, but when they bite, an anticoagulant gets under the human skin (a substance that prevents blood from clotting). Therefore, the bite site is very itchy.

At the site of a mosquito bite, redness and a small itchy blister appear, the bite itself is not painful. But the bite of the midge is generally not immediately felt. Itching, burning appear the next day, and they are much stronger than with a mosquito bite, plus the midge bite site is very red and swollen.

What to do: To relieve itching, apply something cold (ice). You can also make a compress with a solution of soda (half a teaspoon per glass of water). The bite can be lubricated with an antihistamine cream (gel, ointment) or a special Balm after bites .

Important: care must be taken that the child does not comb the bites, otherwise the wound may become infected. The bite of the midge heals for a long time.

Horsefly

Horsefly is a large fly that loves damp places and sun. The bite of this insect is very painful.

A large blister immediately appears at the site of the bite of , which is very itchy.

What to do: Wash the bite with soap and water or treat with an antiseptic. To relieve itching and swelling, you need to apply cold, the same soda compress, antihistamine cream (gel, ointment) will help.

Important: horseflies are completely harmless in the shade and attack only on sunny lawns, closer to water bodies. If the bite is combed, then it will heal for a long time.

Bees, wasps, bumblebees

Bees, wasps, bumblebees, hornets (huge wasps) – these insects do not just bite, they sting and with the help of a sting introduce a strong protein poison into the human body. When bitten, bees leave a sting in the wound, so they bite once, but the rest of the stingers can attack again.

Burning pain, redness, swelling and itching of the skin appear at the site of the bite , the area around the wound becomes hot, if a bee has bitten, then the sting is visible. Sometimes, due to poison, intoxication or severe allergies can occur: the child has a headache, he is weak and lethargic, he is sick or even vomits, he has impaired coordination, his body temperature rises, rarely, but there is also loss of consciousness. The same reaction happens if several insects have stung at once.

What to do: remove the sting if there is one (better to do this with tweezers). Wash the wound with soap or treat with hydrogen peroxide. Apply cold. You can lubricate the sore spot with antihistamine cream (ointment, gel) . If the skin develops swelling and severe redness, give the child an antihistamine by mouth. After a bite, you need to watch the baby for about half an hour. In case of complications, a doctor should be called.

Important: if there are several bites, if they are in the mouth, face, neck, then it is better to go to the hospital or call a doctor: swelling spreads very strongly in these places.

Tick

Tick digs into the skin and secretes a large amount of saliva into the wound, along with it pathogens of various infections can enter the human body, the most common: encephalitis and borreliosis (Lyme disease). By itself, the tick bite is not felt in any way

A black dot of different sizes is visible at the site of the bite – this is the tick itself. There is no swelling or itching.

What to do : remove the tick. It is better to do this in an emergency room or hospital, because if there is no skill, then it is easy to tear off the body of the tick, and its head and proboscis will remain in the skin. But if the doctors are far away, then you can try to unscrew the insect with tweezers, like a screw (you can’t pull, just twist it). It is useless to drip oil on a tick and wait for it to fall off on its own. It is advisable to take the removed tick for analysis to find out if it is a carrier of the infection.

Repellents

• These substances protect against bites, but it must be understood that poisons that are dangerous for insects are also dangerous for humans. It is necessary to use repellent only if there are really a lot of insects or their bite causes a strong reaction in the child.
• It is necessary to apply only a baby product with a low concentration of the active substance (up to 10%). The repellent must not contain diethyltoluamide ( DEET ). It is toxic, so in children under 6 years old it is not even used for clothing.
• Do not spray on the face – only cream, ointment or gel. Do not treat areas with scratches, wounds, inflammation, lips and eyelids with repellent. It makes no sense to treat skin areas hidden by clothing.
• After the walk, change clothes, take a shower and wash off the remnants of the substance from the child.
• If there is an allergy, then it is better not to use the repellent at all.

How to prevent a bite

It is easier to prevent an insect bite than to treat it later:

• Cover sweet fruits and desserts, otherwise they will attract many insects. Before you give your child juice from a cup or a piece of watermelon, you need to see if a wasp or a bee is hiding there. And after eating, it is worth wiping the baby’s lips with a wet napkin.
• Bright and colorful dresses strongly attract insects. They also love floral scents. So in nature it is better to dress discreetly and not eat sweet food.
• It is better for a child not to walk barefoot on grass or sand – there may be a bee or a wasp sitting there.
• When walking in a forest or a meadow (a place that is very fond of ticks), you need to wear clothes with closed sleeves, trousers with cuffs at the bottom (or tuck them into shoes). Put on a cap or panama on your head. Every hour it is worth carefully examining the clothes and body of the child.

Insects like to bite especially children, because their skin is thin, and blood circulation is very active.

A child can get a wasp or bee sting by inadvertently stepping on an insect with a bare foot, or if the child eats some sweet fruit that the insect has suddenly landed on.

All bloodsuckers look for prey, primarily by body temperature. To “hot” people they fly up faster. Insects are also attracted by the special smell of sweat.