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Health Line
13 hours ago
- Health
- Health Line
5 Simple Ways to Treat Gnat Bites
Gnat bites are a typically harmless, but bothersome, reaction that causes itchy bumps on your skin. Home remedies and OTC medications can help. It's probably not uncommon to see gnats flying around your home or yard. They're often mistaken for mosquitoes, but they're much smaller in size. Gnats are sometimes called no-see-ums because they're so small. Some species of gnats bite humans. The bites usually cause tiny, red bumps that are itchy and irritating. Although it's uncommon, there are some instances where gnat bites may cause a severe allergic reaction. In this article, we'll discuss what gnat bites look like, along with ways to treat them at home. We also have advice on how to prevent these annoying bites in the first place, and when you should see a doctor. What are gnats? Gnats are tiny, bloodsucking flies that are similar to mosquitoes. They're usually about 1/4 inch in size, but some types may be smaller. Other common names include: midges no-see-ums punkies black flies moose flies buffalo flies Both male and female gnats feed on plant nectar. In some species, the females also need a blood meal to make eggs. That's why they bite mammals such as livestock, poultry, pets, and humans. When a gnat bites, it uses scissor-like mouth structures to cut the skin. It inserts saliva into the skin, which contains substances called anticoagulants. These substances thin the blood so it's easier to digest. What does a gnat bite look and feel like? Gnat bites usually look like mosquito bites. The symptoms are caused by a minor allergic reaction to the gnat's saliva. Typically, gnat bites cause bumps that are: small red painful very itchy swollen You might also notice bleeding where the gnat bit your skin. In some people, the bumps turn into blisters filled with fluid. What can you do to treat gnat bites? If you have a minor reaction to gnat bites, you can treat them at home. Your symptoms should get better within a few days. The most effective ways to take care of gnat bites include the following five treatments. 1. Soap and water Gently wash the bites with mild soap and cool water. This helps clean the area while soothing any irritation. After washing the affected area, carefully pat it dry. Rubbing the bites may worsen your symptoms. 2. Cold compress Applying a cold compress may help ease irritation and swelling. You can use a: cloth or towel soaked in cold water ice pack wrapped in a moist towel ice cubes in a plastic bag frozen bag of vegetables with a moist cloth wrapped around the bag For best results, apply the cold compress for at least 10 minutes at a time, several times a day. Never apply ice directly to your skin. 3. Anti-itch creams To help relieve itching, apply a thin layer of hydrocortisone cream to the affected area. This type of cream contains a medication called corticosteroids, which can help reduce the irritation, redness, and itchiness caused by gnat bites. You can also use calamine lotion, which is best suited to minor skin irritations. Both treatments are available without a prescription. Always read the directions before using. 4. Antihistamines Antihistamines treat allergic reactions, including reactions to insect bites. They may provide relief by reducing itchiness and irritation. Since antihistamines are available over the counter, you can buy them without a prescription. Be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging. 5. Elevate the affected area If you were bitten on your arms or legs, try to keep the body part raised. This may help move blood away from the area and decrease swelling. Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more. When to get medical attention Gnat bites sometimes require medical attention. You should visit a doctor if: you were bitten around the mouth or eyes your symptoms get worse or don't go away within 2 weeks you have symptoms of a skin infection, such as pus Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend a prescription ointment or cream. Although it's very rare, gnat bites are capable of causing a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This life-threatening condition requires immediate emergency attention. Call 911 if you or someone in your family develop the following symptoms: trouble breathing wheezing when breathing swollen throat, lips, or eyelids difficulty swallowing rapid heartbeat dizziness lightheadedness nausea confusion Prevention tips Although you may not be able to completely prevent gnat bites, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Avoid bodies of water. Gnats are often found near swamps, ponds, marshes, and streams. If possible, avoid or limit how much time you spend around these areas. Cover exposed skin. Gnats usually bite around the face, but they can bite any area of exposed skin. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you're outside. Use insect repellent. After using sunscreen, apply an insect repellent that contains DEET to any areas of exposed skin. If you prefer a natural alternative, you can try using a product containing oil of lemon eucalyptus. Wear light clothing. Some gnats may be attracted to dark-colored clothes. It's also recommended to avoid wearing light blue. Wear closed shoes. Wearing closed shoes outside can help protect your feet from gnat bites. Install window screens. To keep gnats out of your home, install mesh screens in your windows and doors. A ceiling or floor fan may also keep them away. Avoid using scented products. Products with strong odors, such as shampoo and perfume, may attract insects like gnats.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Family kicked off flight over son's insect bites despite doctor's approval
A family was banned from boarding their flight after British Airways staff became suspicious of insect bites on their baby's leg, according to a report from SWNS. Expat Jonathan Arthur, 34, and his wife Xun Sun, 35, were flying from Shanghai Pudong Airport to London Heathrow for a family wedding. They noticed some insect bites on their 1-year-old son Joseph's leg as they approached the boarding gate and asked airline staff where they could buy some allergy medication, just in case. Flesh-eating New World Screwworm Could Pose Health Risks To Cattle, Humans When the staff at the boarding gate saw the bites and heard the family talking about allergy medication, they became concerned, the report stated. "They asked loads of questions after they saw the bites, and so we told them about his mild peanut allergy," said Jonathan Arthur. "The medical staff at the airport said to apply some ointment and wait 10 minutes, which we were happy to do. But the BA staff said we needed to call their medical advice line. They thought his peanut allergy was the cause — so they didn't want to take the risk." Read On The Fox News App The family also sent photos to an online doctor, who confirmed they were insect bites but recommended administering some antihistamines to help with the swelling. The baby's bites were no larger than 1 cm in diameter and disappeared within 10 to 15 minutes after applying the bite cream, causing him no further discomfort, as stated by SWNS. Pregnant Woman And Baby Saved After Doctors Find Grapefruit-sized Tumor: 'Extremely Rare' "It was nothing more than swollen bites," said Jonathan Arthur. Despite the fact that the baby's bites were already starting to subside, the airline said the family wouldn't be allowed to board without a "fit to fly" letter from a doctor. The Arthurs were escorted away from the gate, "feeling like criminals," according to the SWNS report. They rebooked with another airline that did not require a medical letter. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "We were treated like we had done something wrong," said Jonathan Arthur, per the SWNS report. In a statement to Fox News Digital, British Airways stated, "We take the safety and well-being of our customers very seriously and do everything we can to support them when issues like this arise. This includes accessing specialist medical advice to assess an individual's suitability to travel, which is what happened in this case." "Whilst we appreciate our customer was disappointed with this decision, we never compromise passenger safety." Jonathan and Xun Arthur are now in contact with British Airways and their third-party booking agency to claim a refund for the disrupted travel. For more Health articles, visit "I find it strange that someone else in a different country can speak to an airport staff member who isn't a medical professional, and diagnose and refuse boarding, without seeing the rash," Jonathan Arthur added. "When you pay for a service, you expect to be treated like a customer, not like a hindrance."Original article source: Family kicked off flight over son's insect bites despite doctor's approval
Fox News
18-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Family kicked off flight over son's insect bites despite doctor's approval
A family was banned from boarding their flight after British Airways staff became suspicious of insect bites on their baby's leg, according to a report from SWNS. Expat Jonathan Arthur, 34, and his wife Xun Sun, 35, were flying from Shanghai Pudong Airport to London Heathrow for a family wedding. They noticed some insect bites on their 1-year-old son Joseph's leg as they approached the boarding gate and asked airline staff where they could buy some allergy medication, just in case. When the staff at the boarding gate saw the bites and heard the family talking about allergy medication, they became concerned, the report stated. "They asked loads of questions after they saw the bites, and so we told them about his mild peanut allergy," said Jonathan Arthur. "The medical staff at the airport said to apply some ointment and wait 10 minutes, which we were happy to do. But the BA staff said we needed to call their medical advice line. They thought his peanut allergy was the cause — so they didn't want to take the risk." The family also sent photos to an online doctor, who confirmed they were insect bites but recommended administering some antihistamines to help with the swelling. The baby's bites were no larger than 1 cm in diameter and disappeared within 10 to 15 minutes after applying the bite cream, causing him no further discomfort, as stated by SWNS. "It was nothing more than swollen bites," said Jonathan Arthur. Despite the fact that the baby's bites were already starting to subside, the airline said the family wouldn't be allowed to board without a "fit to fly" letter from a doctor. The Arthurs were escorted away from the gate, "feeling like criminals," according to the SWNS report. They rebooked with another airline that did not require a medical letter. "We were treated like we had done something wrong," said Jonathan Arthur, per the SWNS report. In a statement to Fox News Digital, British Airways stated, "We take the safety and well-being of our customers very seriously and do everything we can to support them when issues like this arise. This includes accessing specialist medical advice to assess an individual's suitability to travel, which is what happened in this case." "Whilst we appreciate our customer was disappointed with this decision, we never compromise passenger safety." Jonathan and Xun Arthur are now in contact with British Airways and their third-party booking agency to claim a refund for the disrupted travel. For more Health articles, visit "I find it strange that someone else in a different country can speak to an airport staff member who isn't a medical professional, and diagnose and refuse boarding, without seeing the rash," Jonathan Arthur added. "When you pay for a service, you expect to be treated like a customer, not like a hindrance."
The Independent
15-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
British Airways denies family boarding on flight to UK after baby's bug bites spark concern
A family flying from Shanghai to London said they were refused boarding onto a British Airways flight after gate staff became concerned over insect bite marks on their baby. Jonathan Arthur, 34 and his wife Xun Sun, 35, were flying from the Chinese city to London Heathrow for a family wedding when they encountered issues at the gate. The couple had noticed insect bites on one-year-old Joseph while they were at the gate ready to board, so they asked British Airways staff at Shanghai Pudong Airport where they could buy some allergy medication just in case. This prompted a check-in desk assistant to call a specialist medical service hotline, who said they could not board due to fears that the rash around the bites was a reaction to Joseph's mild peanut allergy. The staff were worried that if this was the case, it could worsen during the flight. British Airways staff then told the couple that they would need a 'fit to fly' letter from a doctor, and they were escorted away from the boarding gate. The bites disappeared within 10-15 minutes of applying bite cream at the instruction of airport medical staff. The airport's in-person medical team said that if the bites went down, they would be fine to fly, but the British Airways medical advisor overruled this by asking for a clearance letter, the family claims. Despite paying £3,000 for their British Airways seats, the family ended up waiting an entire day at the airport after rebooking flights on another airline, which did not require a medical clearance letter. A British Airways spokesperson told The Independent: 'We take the safety and well-being of our customers very seriously and do everything we can to support them when issues like this arise. 'This includes accessing specialist medical advice to assess an individual's suitability to travel, which is what happened in this case. 'Whilst we appreciate our customer was disappointed with this decision, we never compromise passenger safety.' British Airways states on its website that you need medical clearance before you can fly if you have had a recent illness, hospitalisation, injury or surgery, have an existing unstable medical condition, need additional oxygen or are travelling for medical reasons. In the airline's Conditions of Carriage, it also states it can refuse to board you 'if your mental or physical state or health is considered a danger or risk to you, the aircraft or any person in it.'
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Brit and his wife are banned from boarding BA Shanghai flight to UK because their baby boy had insect bites
A family say they were banned from boarding their British Airways flight because airline staff were suspicious of insect bites on their baby son's leg. Expat Jonathan Arthur, 34, and his wife Xun Sun, 35, were flying from Shanghai Pudong Airport to London Heathrow for a family wedding when they were stopped by airline staff. They had noticed some insect bites on one-year-old son Joseph as they went to the gate to board, and asked British Airways staff at the desk where they could buy some allergy medication, just in case. They claim the check-in desk assistant called a medical advice hotline who said they couldn't board - over fears the rash around the bites was actually a reaction to Joseph's mild peanut allergy which could worsen during the flight. Staff said the tot needed a 'fit to fly' letter from a doctor, and were escorted out away from the boarding gate, and were left 'feeling like criminals'. 'We were treated like we had done something wrong,' said Jonathan. 'It was nothing more than swollen bites. 'The medical staff at the airport said to apply some ointment and wait 10 minutes - which we were happy to do. 'But the BA staff said we needed to call their medical advice line,' he added. The family waited the whole day in the airport after they re-booked flights with another airline - which didn't require a letter - for that evening. The bites disappeared within 10-15 minutes of applying a bite cream and didn't cause their baby any more discomfort, the couple said. The couple had paid £3,000 for their original flights. 'I find it strange that someone else in a different country can speak to an airport staff member who isn't a medical professional, and diagnose and refuse boarding, without seeing the rash,' Jonathan said. 'When you pay for a service you expect to be treated like a customer, not like a hindrance. 'It felt like they thought 'they're not flying, just get rid of them.' A spokesperson for BA told MailOnline: 'We take the safety and well-being of our customers very seriously and do everything we can to support them when issues like this arise. 'This includes accessing specialist medical advice to assess an individual's suitability to travel, which is what happened in this case. 'Whilst we appreciate our customer was disappointed with this decision, we never compromise passenger safety.' It comes after a couple missed their ski holiday after BA staff member misinterpreted a post-Brexit passport rule and wrongly refused to let them board their flight. The '10-year passport rule' means that to travel to EU countries your UK passport must be less than 10 years old on your departure day and have at least three months left before it expires on the day you return home. Richard and Kate Sugden were due to fly from Jersey to Austria via Heathrow Airport in January but were told they wouldn't be be allowed to board their flight in London due to Mrs Sugden's passport. Her passport was issued in February 2015 meaning that when they wanted to travel in January 2025, it was less than 10 years old, in accordance with the rules. Before travelling, they had even checked their passports on a third party website which confirmed they were valid for the trip. Mr Sugden told the BBC he and his wife were 'feeling very confused' and 'had that pit in your stomach of "oh my gosh, we've got it badly wrong"'. Check-in staff were 'sympathetic' but 'very adamant' Mrs Sugden's passport would not be accepted at Heathrow. 'Somebody came down, I'm guessing a duty supervisor, and he confirmed what they were saying,' he added.
