Don't let that bite you.

Most of us dismiss insect bites without realising that many of them are hazardous to the health. Here we inform you about the consequences of common bites that range from cellulitis to scarring of the skin as well as other harmful diseases

IT IS a familiar scene; the weary traveller returns from a trip to the Amazon jungle or Africa and discovers a cluster of what he believes is mosquito bites. He ignores these swellings until he is wracked by fever and stabbing pains in the area. Eventually the cluster starts to move and spread and doctors discover maggots living inside the skin.

Though this is a worst case scenario, the fact remains that an insect bite can cause a plethora of health problems. They can cause severe, even fatal allergies; discolouration, scars and scabbing of skin and can facilitate the spread of harmful diseases too. One common condition that develops as a result of any kind of bite is cellulitis.

While most people associate the term cellulite with dimpled thighs, cellulitis is not related to this. Cellulitis is instead a nasty bacterial skin infection which can be spread by insect bites. In this condition, the deepest layer of the skin is infected by bacteria that make its way into the body through broken skin of any kind caused by insect bites or other cuts and scrapes. None of us actually realise that wiping insect bites with disinfectant or even soap and water is the best treatment. "Cellulitis can actually become a serious condition if not treated in time causing fever, chills and swollen glands.

The bacteria can enter the blood stream necessitating antibiotic treatment or hospitalisation," says Dr Vaibhav Gupta, consultant internal medicine, Rockland Hospital. Thus, the harmful potential of insect bites should not be neglected. Here we give you a lowdown of all the bites that you should not just scratch.

BEE & WASP BITES

ALTHOUGH many different kinds of insects are able to inflict a painful bite or a sting, the insects most likely to cause medical problems are bees and wasps. This includes the domestic honey bee, the bumble bee, hornets and yellow jacket wasps ( tataiiya ). Since these insects rarely roam alone, if you are bitten by one, chances are there will be more of them around to join in the attack and this can actually prove to be dangerous.

" Most stings cause minor medical problems but in some cases they can cause a severe allergic reaction which can even prove to be fatal. The vast majority of serious medical problems and deaths result from an allergic reaction," says Dr Gupta. This happens in certain people whose immune systems are overly sensitive to the venom. Although multiple stings increase the potential danger in allergic cases, a serious or even fatal allergic reaction can occur from a single sting in a person with no known prior allergic reaction.

The majority of stings cause a significant and obvious allergic reaction within an hour of being stung. Most deaths from stings occur within the first hour.

Immediate emergency medical care is critical in known or suspected allergic reactions after an insect sting. In rare cases, serious or even fatal allergic reactions may not happen for up to four or more hours after an insect sting. An allergic or toxic reaction is typified by light headedness, nausea, shortness of breath, swelling of the affected area as well as the lips, tongue, ears, eyelids, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and mucous membranes.

" The body has a reaction to the venom and tries to fight it, stimulating the alveoli in the lungs.

These contract and cause the release of ' histamine' -- a neurotransmitter which increases secretions in the lung causing shortness of breath," says Dr Gupta. Laryngeal oedema or inflammation of the larynx is another serious complication from a bee sting. Insect stings in non- allergic people, though perhaps painful and irritating to the skin, usually do not cause serious problems. However, multiple stings may have serious consequences such as muscle breakdown or kidney failure and, rarely, even death in non- allergic people. Little children, elderly people, and people with low immunity are especially at risk.

Even a single sting in the mouth or throat can cause swelling and obstruction of the airway.

Cellulitis at the sting site is also a possibility. Ant, caterpillar and spider bites also have the same effect on the body though this is not as intense as that caused by bee or wasp bites.

R X " It's a good idea to stock common antiallergic drugs at home like Avil or Citrazine which are helpful if the body has an allergic reaction to the sting. Antibiotics also might be necessary depending on the reaction," says Dr Arpit Jain, senior consultant internal medicine, Artemis hospital.

The sting should be removed as soon as possible from the site of the sting. This should preferably be done by a doctor with proper instruments; otherwise there are chances the sting will get further embedded in the skin causing a repetition of symptoms. " Don't rub the affected area as this will only spread the venom and immediately take an antihistamine tablet if you start showing symptoms of an allergic reaction," says Dr Jain. Physical examination and vital signs will largely determine what treatment is given. Blood work, X- rays, and other tests are rarely needed.

FLEAS & TICKS

MANY pet lovers think nothing of sharing their meals and beds with their furry or feathered friend. You may not want to hear this, but the fact is that it is pru dent to keep pets off your bed and invest in a powerful disinfectant for your floors. Pets harbour fleas and ticks -- nasty little critters that bite several places at once leaving bruises and welts which can discolour the skin.

Children are shorter, making it easier for fleas to travel higher on their bodies. A child who is playing or watching TV on the floor is an easy target. A flea bite will be itchy but the severity of the itch depends on each person's allergy to the bites. " Some people have no reaction at all and others will itch and swell for weeks from a given bite. Ticks can also emit certain toxins which if ingested while sharing food or feeding a pet can result in tick toxemia," says Dr Jain. Symptoms of this condition include nerve problems, involuntary nervous movements, epileptic fits and anaemia. " Cat and dog fleas can also transmit nasty diseases like typhoid if they live in unhygienic surroundings. Sometimes ticks can also transfer a serious disease like Lyme disease which attacks different organs of the body; typhus and relapsing fever which can be life threatening," says Dr Gupta. The bites appear as small clusters of red, raised bumps which look like a rash and itch incessantly. If the itching is prolonged with a bulls- eye appearance especially, you need to see a doctor. Any unusual symptoms such as paralysis, partial paralysis, fever, infection, heart palpitation, sore joints, etc.

should also be reported to your doctor immediately.

R X There is no way to prevent ticks or fleas from infesting your pet's body. Just make sure their living area is as clean as possible and take them to the vet at the first sign of fleas or ticks. Ticks tend to stick to the skin surface so have them removed with a pair of tweezers and then wipe the area with disinfectant. Any expanding rash should be reported immediately. Antiseptic creams and lotions usually help relieve itching and the scarring which fades with time. Bed bugs also fall into the tick category and are indicative of poor hygiene. Make sure you disinfect clothing after travelling in trains and buses as these mites spread through contact.

Bed bug bites cause nasty eruptions that can be taken care of with antiseptic ointment.

Rarely some varieties can cause viral fevers or encephalitis and any prolonged rash should be analysed medically. One of the easiest ways to identify a bedbug problem is to look out for blood spots that typically appear on the sheets. Treatment of the bed, baseboards and other areas such as bedstands need to be done.

Bedding needs to be washed routinely and eradication can take time. One treatment may not be enough and patience is required to get rid of them. At times this means investing in new pillows, mattresses and quilts.

DUST MITES

IS dust collecting below your bed just because you are too lazy to clean it? Well maybe it is time you reconsidered your stance: Dust is home to numerous dust mites which can cause havoc in your respiratory system. Though invisible to the naked eye, dust mites are famous for triggering allergic reactions ( especially if you suffer from asthma or allergic bronchitis).

" Chronic inflammation of tissues in the nasal passages caused by dust mite allergy can obstruct the sinuses, making an individual prone to developing sinusitis," says Dr Jain.

R X These mites feed on the dead skin that we shed, and thrive in a warm and humid environment. So keeping your home dust free is the key to preventing dust mite allergy. At home one should have antihistamines and decongestants handy to reduce the inflammation of tissues in nasal passages making it easier to breathe. If the attack is severe then a doctor has to be alerted immediately especially if the patient is asthmatic.

[e-mail]

Copyright 2009 India Today Group. All Rights Reserved.

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company