{"id":2205,"date":"2020-03-31T12:28:14","date_gmt":"2020-03-31T12:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/imedicalsociety.org\/?p=2205"},"modified":"2020-03-31T12:28:14","modified_gmt":"2020-03-31T12:28:14","slug":"insect-bite-swelling-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imedicalsociety.org\/insect-bite-swelling-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Insect bite swelling treatment: What To Do And When to see a doctor!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Insect Bite Swelling\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We will discuss here the insect bite swelling treatment, as one of the most common symptoms is swelling after an insect bite (Source<\/a>). The tissue at the site of the bite and in the immediate vicinity swells to a greater or lesser extent (Source<\/a>). <\/span><\/p>\n

This is because the swelling is a reaction of the body to the insect venom: the toxins release so-called inflammation mediators in the body (Source<\/a>). They make the small blood vessels (capillaries) more permeable for various molecules (Source<\/a>), cells and fluids (Source<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

In this way, the body’s immune system is enabled to repair the changes at the injection site (Source<\/a>). The swelling can vary in severity depending on the insect that bites and how sensitive the body reacts to the bite (Source<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Read here all important information about insect bite<\/a> swelling treatment, below.<\/span><\/p>\n

ICD codes for this condition is T63<\/span><\/p>\n

\"insect<\/strong><\/p>\n

Treatment For Insect Bites Swelling<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n

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Depending on how disruptive the symptoms are after an insect bite<\/b><\/a>, no or only minor supportive measures need to be taken.\u00a0An uncomplicated insect bite is treated symptomatically<\/b>.\u00a0The\u00a0cooling of the puncture site,<\/b>\u00a0for example with\u00a0ice or quark envelopes, is particularly suitable<\/b>.<\/p>\n

In addition, gels containing so-called\u00a0antihistamines<\/b>\u00a0can be applied locally.\u00a0These\u00a0reduce the symptoms of inflammation by<\/a><\/b>\u00a0reducing or preventing the action of histamine, which is instrumental in the inflammatory response.\u00a0As a rule, these measures are completely sufficient for the symptomatic treatment of an insect bite.\u00a0In special cases and with pronounced inflammatory reactions,\u00a0antihistamines in tablet form<\/b>\u00a0or\u00a0medications containing cortisone<\/b>\u00a0can also be\u00a0used.\u00a0However, the doctor should decide on the use of these drugs.<\/p>\n<\/header>\n

Inflammation must still be treated medically if bacteria that have got into the skin after the insect bite are involved<\/span><\/b>.\u00a0It may then be necessary to give\u00a0<\/span>antibiotics<\/span><\/b>\u00a0to prevent the infection from spreading and to control the inflammation<\/a>.\u00a0Antibiotics are also used to suspect long-term complications from tick-borne disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Antibiotics for an inflamed insect bite<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/header>\n

Infection and inflammation of an insect bite can occur when\u00a0<\/span>bacteria infect the wound<\/span><\/b>.\u00a0To fight such an inflammation, antibiotics should be taken, which either fight the bacteria directly or prevent their multiplication.\u00a0It should be borne in mind that only a small part of the insect bites is secondarily infected by bacteria.<\/span><\/p>\n

Inflammation that can only be attributed to the body’s own reaction to the bite cannot be successfully treated by taking antibiotics. An allergic reaction can sometimes simulate an infection but requires a different therapy<\/a> than a bacterial infection.<\/span><\/p>\n

Very severe reddening<\/span><\/b>, an\u00a0<\/span>open wound<\/span><\/b>,\u00a0<\/span>pain<\/span><\/b>,\u00a0<\/span>fever<\/span><\/b>, and\u00a0<\/span>pus formation<\/span><\/b>\u00a0are indications that it is a bacterial inflammation.\u00a0In this case, a\u00a0<\/span>doctor<\/span><\/b>\u00a0should be consulted who can confirm the suspicion and prescribe the correct antibiotic for the purpose.\u00a0After starting\u00a0<\/span>antibiotic therapy<\/span><\/b>, the symptoms of bacterial inflammation<\/a> should become significantly better within 2 days.<\/span><\/p>\n

If\u00a0<\/span><\/span>there is no improvement after 48 hours<\/span><\/span><\/b>\u00a0or the symptoms worsen,\u00a0<\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>doctor<\/span><\/b>\u00a0should be\u00a0<\/span><\/span>consulted again<\/span><\/span><\/b>.\u00a0In order to prevent the inflammation from flaring up again and to prevent the emergence of resistant bacteria, the\u00a0<\/span>antibiotics should always be taken until the end of the<\/span><\/b>\u00a0intended\u00a0therapy<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Ibuprofen for an inflamed insect bite<\/span><\/div>\n
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When\u00a0<\/span>ibuprofen<\/span><\/b>\u00a0is a medicament which exhibits both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.\u00a0However, taking ibuprofen for an inflamed insect bite is usually\u00a0<\/span>not sensible<\/span><\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The inflammation of the skin after an insect bite is a\u00a0<\/a><\/span>local reaction of the body<\/span><\/b>.\u00a0Therefore, local therapies are usually sufficient to treat the symptoms<\/a> of the insect bite.\u00a0Since taking ibuprofen can have some side effects, and ibuprofen has no causative effect on the bite, systemic use should not be done.\u00a0Only when there is\u00a0<\/span>severe pain due<\/span><\/b>\u00a0to the sting, taking ibuprofen can be useful.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the event of these symptoms, <\/span><\/span>a doctor<\/span><\/span><\/b>\u00a0should nevertheless be consulted as\u00a0<\/span>soon as possible to<\/span><\/b>\u00a0rule out an allergic reaction and infection or, if necessary, to initiate suitable therapy.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Ointments <\/span><\/span>as an insect bite swelling treatment<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/header>\n

The symptoms that are the main focus of an inflamed insect bite<\/a> are mostly\u00a0<\/span>itching, swelling, and redness<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0They are caused<\/a> by\u00a0<\/span>histamine<\/span><\/strong>, a messenger substance of the immune system, released by the body around the injection site. Therefore suitable\u00a0<\/span>ointments containing\u00a0<\/span>antihistamines<\/span>\u00a0included<\/span><\/strong> handling these complaints.\u00a0Furthermore,\u00a0<\/span>cooling<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0helps\u00a0to alleviate<\/strong> the symptoms, since the injection site is often overheated due to the inflammation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some ointments for insect bites, therefore, contain a combination of several ingredients that both acts against the increased release of histamine and have a cooling effect.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Home remedies as an insect bite swelling treatment<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/header>\n

There are a number of different home remedies<\/a> that promise relief from the symptoms of an insect bite.\u00a0However, it should be noted that inflammation that occurs due to a bacterial infection always requires medical care and should be treated with antibiotics.\u00a0The symptoms of inflammation<\/a>, which occur as a body’s own reaction to the sting, can be alleviated with the help of some remedies.<\/span><\/p>\n

To treat the swelling and overheating of the affected area of \u200b\u200bthe body,\u00a0<\/span>cooling<\/span><\/b>\u00a0with ice packs or the like is recommended.\u00a0In many cases, cooling the sting can already significantly improve the symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

A\u00a0<\/span>sliced \u200b\u200bonion<\/span><\/b> is often\u00a0recommended as a home remedy<\/a> for insect bites.\u00a0This can cool the area and therefore also promise relief.\u00a0However, the onion is not expected to have a therapeutic effect.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Herbal ingredients: <\/span><\/strong>Various plant extracts have anti-inflammatory, calming, and itch-relieving effects on insect bites. The cell<\/span> balm ointment has<\/span><\/span>\u00a0proven particularly useful for insect bites<\/span>. <\/span>It contains selected extracts from resins and various medicinal plants, including yarrow, wormwood, myrrh, and camphor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Heat: <\/span><\/strong>Heat denatures the proteins from the poison of bees or wasps or from the saliva of the mosquitoes, which trigger the itching. As soon as possible after the puncture, heat is injected into the puncture site. You can do this with a spoon, which is heated in hot water and pressed on the prick for ten to 30 seconds. Caution: Do not use too hot water! You should just be able to touch the spoon. An alternative is offered by electronic devices that can be obtained in pharmacies or drugstores.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Antihistamines and cortisone: <\/span><\/strong>ointments or gels with antihistamines (anti-allergic agents) relieve the itching. Cortisone also works against severe swelling and inflammation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wound treatment\/disinfection: <\/span><\/strong>If a prick is scratched, the wound should be treated with a disinfectant spray or disinfectant ointment. Wound ointments can then accelerate healing.<\/span><\/p>\n

This also applies to all oils and creams that are used as home remedies<\/a> for the inflammatory reaction in insect bites.<\/span><\/p>\n