Latest news with #itching
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The 1 Thing You Should Never, Ever Do If You Get A Mosquito Bite
Every summer, I get eaten alive by mosquitoes. My arms and legs get covered in bites that I scratch until they become bloody bruises that scab over and take weeks to heal. I know I'm treating my mosquito bites all wrong because, well, I have the scars to show it. Most mosquito bites go away within a week or so ― unless you don't take proper care of them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when you get bit by a mosquito, the bug injects saliva into your body via its proboscis, the little needle-like body part that sucks up your blood. That saliva contains an anticoagulant that keeps your blood flowing so the bug can get a hearty meal to lay its eggs. The toxins in that saliva are thought to be what makes their bites feel warm and itchy. Dr. Bobbi Pritt, the director of the Clinical Parasitology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic and a spokesperson for the College of American Pathologists, said this is because your body mounts an immune response to the saliva and releases a wave of histamines and leukotrienes. This reaction varies from person to person, and bug to bug, which is why some people develop significant swelling and soreness while others just get a mildly itchy bump. Regardless of how you react to mosquito bites, doctors agree there's one thing you shouldn't do when you get a bite: scratch it. It can be tempting to scratch mosquito bites given how incredibly itchy they can get, but you really want to avoid doing so, Pritt said. The main reason: There are many different types of bacteria that live on our skin and our bodies — like Staphylococcus and Streptococcus — that, for the most part, are harmless, according to Pritt. 'But if you have an open wound, like if you scratch really hard, you could actually rub the bacteria from your skin into that little wound and get an infection.' These infections, like cellulitis and impetigo, can cause redness, swelling, a blister, tenderness around the bite along with swollen lymph nodes and yellow discharge. They can be treated with antibiotics, but, in rare cases, an infected bite can lead to serious complications like sepsis or necrotizing fasciitis. The second reason you don't want to scratch: The more you itch, the more histamine cells your body will release, making the bite even itchier. 'Scratching can send mild pain signals to the brain, which can release serotonin and increase the sensation of itching,' said Pamela Frable, an associate professor at TCU's Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Of course, not scratching isn't the only way to speed up your recovery, and there are a few other steps you want to take to prevent infection and make sure your bite gets better. The very first thing you want to do after you get bit is wash the bite out with soap and water. This will help remove bacteria near the bite that could cause an infection. A mosquito bite is technically a small wound, said Frable, and 'it's generally a good idea to wash all wounds gently with soap and water.' Then, you want to apply ice to the bite, ideally for about 10 minutes or so, Pritt explained. Ice can drastically reduce the itching along with inflammation, pain and swelling, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Next up: Cover the bite with an anti-itch or antihistamine cream, such as calamine lotion or hydrocortisone. These products can drastically reduce itchiness and, most importantly, prevent you from scratching the bite and break the scratch-itch cycle, Pritt said. If you don't have these items in your medicine cabinet or aren't able to get to a pharmacy, you can whip up an anti-itch paste at home. Simply combine a tablespoon of baking soda with a splash of water to create a thick paste. Then, rub the mixture over the bite, wait 10 minutes, and wash it off. This DIY concoction reduces itch, according to the Mayo Clinic, but, better yet, it prevents you from scratching the bite and making things even worse. Finally, you want to keep an eye on the bite and pay attention to any symptoms you develop over the next week or two. It's fairly common to develop a fever or even swollen lymph nodes immediately after the bite, so don't panic if you experience these symptoms right away, Pritt said. Not all mosquitoes carry disease, but some spread Zika, dengue and West Nile virus, all of which can cause severe illnesses and health complications. You can't tell if a mosquito carried a pathogen by simply looking at the bite, according to Frable, which is why it's crucial to pay attention to any symptoms. So, if you get a fever, a rash, severe headache, or confusion a week or two after the bite, check in with a physician. They can run diagnostics tests to determine if you contracted a mosquito-borne disease and administer supportive care to help you recover. Fortunately, most mosquito bites resolve without any issues. But the less you itch and the better you take care of it, the sooner it'll clear up … until the next mosquito comes along. So THAT'S Why Mosquitoes Bite Some People More Than Others How To Tell If A Bug Bite Needs Medical Attention The Definitive Answer On Whether Bug Spray Is Bad For You
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The 1 Thing You Should Never, Ever Do If You Get A Mosquito Bite
Every summer, I get eaten alive by mosquitoes. My arms and legs get covered in bites that I scratch until they become bloody bruises that scab over and take weeks to heal. I know I'm treating my mosquito bites all wrong because, well, I have the scars to show it. Most mosquito bites go away within a week or so ― unless you don't take proper care of them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when you get bit by a mosquito, the bug injects saliva into your body via its proboscis, the little needle-like body part that sucks up your blood. That saliva contains an anticoagulant that keeps your blood flowing so the bug can get a hearty meal to lay its eggs. The toxins in that saliva are thought to be what makes their bites feel warm and itchy. Dr. Bobbi Pritt, the director of the Clinical Parasitology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic and a spokesperson for the College of American Pathologists, said this is because your body mounts an immune response to the saliva and releases a wave of histamines and leukotrienes. This reaction varies from person to person, and bug to bug, which is why some people develop significant swelling and soreness while others just get a mildly itchy bump. Regardless of how you react to mosquito bites, doctors agree there's one thing you shouldn't do when you get a bite: scratch it. It can be tempting to scratch mosquito bites given how incredibly itchy they can get, but you really want to avoid doing so, Pritt said. The main reason: There are many different types of bacteria that live on our skin and our bodies — like Staphylococcus and Streptococcus — that, for the most part, are harmless, according to Pritt. 'But if you have an open wound, like if you scratch really hard, you could actually rub the bacteria from your skin into that little wound and get an infection.' These infections, like cellulitis and impetigo, can cause redness, swelling, a blister, tenderness around the bite along with swollen lymph nodes and yellow discharge. They can be treated with antibiotics, but, in rare cases, an infected bite can lead to serious complications like sepsis or necrotizing fasciitis. The second reason you don't want to scratch: The more you itch, the more histamine cells your body will release, making the bite even itchier. 'Scratching can send mild pain signals to the brain, which can release serotonin and increase the sensation of itching,' said Pamela Frable, an associate professor at TCU's Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Of course, not scratching isn't the only way to speed up your recovery, and there are a few other steps you want to take to prevent infection and make sure your bite gets better. The very first thing you want to do after you get bit is wash the bite out with soap and water. This will help remove bacteria near the bite that could cause an infection. A mosquito bite is technically a small wound, said Frable, and 'it's generally a good idea to wash all wounds gently with soap and water.' Then, you want to apply ice to the bite, ideally for about 10 minutes or so, Pritt explained. Ice can drastically reduce the itching along with inflammation, pain and swelling, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Next up: Cover the bite with an anti-itch or antihistamine cream, such as calamine lotion or hydrocortisone. These products can drastically reduce itchiness and, most importantly, prevent you from scratching the bite and break the scratch-itch cycle, Pritt said. If you don't have these items in your medicine cabinet or aren't able to get to a pharmacy, you can whip up an anti-itch paste at home. Simply combine a tablespoon of baking soda with a splash of water to create a thick paste. Then, rub the mixture over the bite, wait 10 minutes, and wash it off. This DIY concoction reduces itch, according to the Mayo Clinic, but, better yet, it prevents you from scratching the bite and making things even worse. Finally, you want to keep an eye on the bite and pay attention to any symptoms you develop over the next week or two. It's fairly common to develop a fever or even swollen lymph nodes immediately after the bite, so don't panic if you experience these symptoms right away, Pritt said. Not all mosquitoes carry disease, but some spread Zika, dengue and West Nile virus, all of which can cause severe illnesses and health complications. You can't tell if a mosquito carried a pathogen by simply looking at the bite, according to Frable, which is why it's crucial to pay attention to any symptoms. So, if you get a fever, a rash, severe headache, or confusion a week or two after the bite, check in with a physician. They can run diagnostics tests to determine if you contracted a mosquito-borne disease and administer supportive care to help you recover. Fortunately, most mosquito bites resolve without any issues. But the less you itch and the better you take care of it, the sooner it'll clear up … until the next mosquito comes along. So THAT'S Why Mosquitoes Bite Some People More Than Others How To Tell If A Bug Bite Needs Medical Attention The Definitive Answer On Whether Bug Spray Is Bad For You
Health Line
20-06-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Bug Bites in a Line: How to Identify and Treat
Different types of insects may leave bite marks that appear to follow a line. This can include fleas, bedbugs, and mites, among others. Treatment typically involves over-the-counter remedies. Bug bites can be an itchy nuisance, especially when you're bitten multiple times in a row by the same type of bug. Some insects, like flying insects, might bite one time and then move to their next victim. Other insects, though, may unleash several bites at once. And if you're on the other end of this attack, you might have a cluster of bites appearing in a line. What types of bugs cause these types of bites, though? Here's a look at different bugs that leave multiple bites in a row and how to treat them. Bug bites that appear in a line Different insects can leave different types of bite marks, including those appearing in a line. If you notice multiple bites in a row, there are a few possible culprits: Bug Bite description Symptoms Fleas Fleas can bite multiple times, leaving clusters of tiny red bumps in a row. Flea bites are often on the lower part of the body, such as on the legs, ankles, and feet. Symptoms include tiny red bumps or welts and extreme itching. Bedbugs Bedbug bites are red, appearing as a line of flat or raised bumps. Symptoms include itching, redness or other color changes, and swelling. Lice Head lice can cause a row of tiny red bumps around the head or neck. Lice can also leave a line of bumps near pubic hair, the hair around the armpits, or the eyebrows. Symptoms include intense itching that worsens at night and the appearance of tiny white eggs in the hair. Symptoms can appear up to 2 to 4 weeks after contact. Fire ants A single fire ant can bite multiple times, causing red bumps or lumps that appear in a line or in clusters. Symptoms include a burning, stinging sensation, itchiness, and swelling. Mites (scabies, chiggers, bird mites) Mites are insect-like organisms that can bite and cause skin irritation in humans. The bites are pimple-like rashes appearing in clusters or as raised lines on the skin. Symptoms include intense itching that worsens at night, redness or other color changes, and tingling and swelling around the bite site. Treating bug bites that appear in a line Bug bites can cause pain, redness, other color changes, and intense itching, so you'll want to take immediate action to relieve discomfort and prevent future bites. Identify and remove the culprit The first step in treating a bug bite is to identify the culprit. If you suspect a bedbug or flea infestation in your home, call a pest control company to find and remove the bugs. You can also prevent an infestation by treating fleas on your pets. Although irritating, most bug bites are minor and treatable with home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Prevent swelling and infection For mild bites, wash the area with soap and water to prevent an infection. Apply a cool compress over the bite to reduce pain and swelling. If you have bites on your arms or legs, keeping this part of your body elevated can also reduce swelling. Soothe pain and itching Next, apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion over the bite to calm itching, or take an OTC oral antihistamine. If you have pain, take an OTC pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Continue this treatment until symptoms go away. Treat lice and scabies with prescription topicals For lice If you have lice, you'll need an OTC medicated shampoo to kill the lice and their eggs. If these treatments don't work, ask your doctor for a prescription lice treatment. It's important to note that itching from lice doesn't go away immediately after treatment. Also, the initial treatment may not kill lice eggs. You may need to re-treat the area in a week, when the eggs have hatched. For scabies Treatment for scabies is a prescription antiparasitic topical cream. It will kill the mites and their eggs. Even after medication kills the mites, itching may last for a couple of weeks. To prevent reinfection, wash all your clothes, towels, and linen in hot water to kill the mites. About scabies bites The bite from a scabies mite isn't what itches. These pests burrow beneath the skin and leave their poop behind. The poop triggers an allergic reaction, which causes the itching and irritation. Should I see a doctor? A severe allergic reaction to a bug bite is a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical treatment if you develop any of the following symptoms: trouble breathing swollen lips or tongue rapid heartbeat chest pain headache vomiting dizziness Also, see a doctor if you're unable to identify a bug bite or if a bug bite doesn't heal or worsens in appearance. If your bite itches, keep in mind that scratching can break your skin and cause bacteria to penetrate the deeper level of your skin. This can lead to a bacterial skin infection called cellulitis. Signs of infection include: increased redness or other color changes pain blistering fever Don't wait for a fever! If you suspect you may have a bacterial skin infection, see a doctor right away. They can diagnose cellulitis early by looking for red streaks that extend away from the irritated area toward the heart. A thickening of the skin around the bite or wound is another indication of infection. Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Lisa thought her itch was just an allergy. In fact it was a common liver problem that mostly strikes women, often goes undetected for years and causes catastrophic damage. Now doctors reveal the signs
Lisa Woodcock's initial instinct when she first developed severe itching all over her body was to blame an allergic reaction to her laundry detergent. 'I was itching all the time,' recalls the 41-year-old sales manager from Exmouth, Devon.
