Insect bites and stings
| Insect bites and stings | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Emergency medicine  |
Insect bites and stings occur when an insect is agitated and seeks to defend itself through its natural defense mechanisms, or when an insect seeks to feed off the bitten person. Some insects inject formic acid, which can cause an immediate skin reaction often resulting in redness and swelling in the injured area. Stings from fire ants, bees, wasps and hornets are usually painful, and may stimulate a dangerous allergic reaction called anaphylaxis for at-risk patients, and some wasps can also have a powerful bite along with a sting. Bites from mosquitoes and fleas are more likely to cause itching than pain.
The skin reaction to insect bites and stings usually lasts for up to a few days. However, in some cases the local reaction can last for up to two years. These bites are sometimes misdiagnosed as other types of benign or cancerous lesions.[1]
Insect bites and stings From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Insect bites and stings Classification and external resources
Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, biting ICD-10 T14.1, X23-X25, W57 ICD-9 919.4, 989.5, E905.3, E905.5, E906.4 MedlinePlus 000033 MeSH D007299
Insect bites and stings occur when an insect is agitated and seeks to defend itself through its natural defense mechanisms, or when an insect seeks to feed off the bitten person. Some insects inject formic acid, which can cause an immediate skin reaction often resulting in redness and swelling in the injured area. Stings from fire ants, bees, wasps and hornets are usually painful, and may stimulate a dangerous allergic reaction called anaphylaxis for at-risk patients, and some wasps can also have a powerful bite along with a sting. Bites from mosquitoes and fleas are more likely to cause itching than pain.
The skin reaction to insect bites and stings usually lasts for up to a few days. However, in some cases the local reaction can last for up to two years. These bites are sometimes misdiagnosed as other types of benign or cancerous lesions.[1]
See also
- List of biting or stinging arthropods
- Spider bite
- Insect bite relief stick
- Schmidt Sting Pain Index
- Bee sting
- Allergy
References
External links
- Venomous Arthropods chapter in United States Environmental Protection Agency and University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences National Public Health Pesticide Applicator Training Manual
Animal bites and stings | |
|---|---|
| Invertebrate | |
| Vertebrate | |
| Other | |
