What to do after a midge bite to avoid complications

What are the dangers of midge bites

Most likely, you will not even notice who stung you: midges are small (only a couple of millimeters) and do not squeak like mosquitoes. But their bites can cause a lot of trouble:

• They are causeBiting Midge (sand flies) / Government of Eastern Australia& Department of health severe allergic reactions up to anaphylaxis.
• Microbes get into combed bites - inflammation begins.
• At the site of scratching, the skin may darken and scars remain.
• midges can distributeS. Carpenter, M.H. Groschup, C. Garros, M.L. Felippe‑Bauer, B.V. Purse. Culicoides biting midges, arboviruses and public health in Europe / Antiviral Research pathogens. For example, arboviruses. Truth, threatenOverview of Arbovirus, Arenavirus, and Filovirus Infections / MSD Manuals they are mainly livestock, because these small insects do not carry enough viruses to infect humans.

What are the symptoms of midge bites

Most often bites lookInsect bites and stings / NHS

like little red raised dots on the skin. There may be a red, hot to the touch seal around. Sometimes in the center you can see a bubble with a cloudy liquid.

Bites are always very itchy and can hurt. Pain, itching and swelling usually last for several days.

What can you do yourself

Since the bites are very itchy, it is difficult to keep a cool head and properly treat yourself. But this importantInsect bites in children / Rassvet Clinicto avoid scratching and infection.

Right after the bite

If you find yourself bitten, then

• rinseStings from other arthropods / MSD Manuals wound;
• apply ice for 15 minutes to the place of edema;
• once an hour throughout the day applyInsect bites in children / Rassvet Clinic cooling talker based on calamine or zinc;
• to relieve itching have a drinkInsect Bites Treatment & Management / Medscape over-the-counter allergy pills or apply an antihistamine ointment, but don't do both at the same time.

If the blister did not pass without a trace

If the next day the swelling around has decreased, but a raised rash remains at the site of the bite, or you accidentally scratched it at night:

• ApplyStings from other arthropods / MSD Manuals ointment with steroids or antihistamine components for another 3-5 days.
• To relieve the itch you can drinkInsect bites and stings / NHS an allergy drug sold without a prescription. You can use it for up to several weeks.
• Take an over-the-counter paracetamol or ibuprofen pain reliever if needed.

What not to do if you are bitten

It is forbidden scratchBiting Midges / Australia Wide First Aid and rub the affected area. The momentary relief will pass and you will touch the bite again and again. And if you comb it to the blood, the traces will take longer to pass. In addition, microbes from the hands can get into the wound, develop infection.

When to See a Doctor

Usually midge bites passInsect bites / FBUZ "Center for Hygienic Education of the Population" of Rospotrebznadzor on one's own. But you may need medical attention if:

• a red spot or blister of more than 10 cm appeared around the bite;
• the bites became inflamed and pus appeared, the temperature rose, the state of health worsened;
• bitten the face near the eyes and mouth, the eyelid or lips are swollen;
• in the evening and the next day, the symptoms only intensify;
• you have persistent exhausting itching and a general deterioration in well-being.

Call an ambulance immediately if there are signs of anaphylaxis (increasing weakness and disorientation up to loss of consciousness, clammy sweat, nausea, poor control over one's movements) or angioedema threatens to suffocate (the tongue swells and does not fit in the mouth, the voice is hoarse, it is getting harder to do breaths).

How to protect yourself from bites

Avoiding bites is easier than treating them. To protect yourself from midges, observeInsect bites and stings / NHS precautionary measures:

• Wear long sleeves and pants, especially at dusk and dawn when the midges are most active. In the forest or fishing, you can also put onPavlovsky Evgeny Nikanorovich / Bibliographic index "Great scientists" Pavlovsky's protective grid.
• Use insect repellent sprays and remember to apply them periodically as directed.
• Don't camp near bodies of water.
• Hang the net on the windows in the car when you go out into nature.
• In the country, pour out water from all containers that you do not use. Cover cesspools and pools.
• Do not use cosmetic products with a strong smell: perfumes, deodorants, etc. They may attract insects.