Do Not Ignore Insect Bites – Get Medical Attention Straightaway
No matter which part of the country you are in, there are good chances you have been bitten by insects. If you are a keen outdoor enthusiast, and often indulging in activities like trekking, camping, or bird watching there are more chances you will get exposed to insects.
You are also at risk if you travel frequently, and stay in unsanitary living conditions.
For most part, insect bites are harmless, but they cause a lot of discomfort.
“A bite occurs when the skin is broken by the mouth of an insect”, says a physician at a 24-hour urgent care facility. “It feeds on your blood or to safeguard its territory. But the good news is there are ways to get rid of the pain and infection”.
Some of the most common types of insects you encounter are:
• Bed bugs
• Mosquitoes
• Flea
• Ticks
How can you tell an insect has bitten you?
“Look at the redness or swelling around the portion of the body where you are experiencing pain”, says a doctor at an urgent care walk-in clinic. “If it is warm to touch, or if rashes or hives have developed around the site it is likely an insect bite”.
You may also experience fever, body ache or nausea.
If you or any of your loved ones, experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling on the face or lips, or vomiting, it can point to an allergic reaction. It warrants an immediate visit to a hospital.
At first instance home remedies can help.
“If it is a flea or bug bite, clean the affected area with soap and water, apply an ice pack and take antihistamines”, says a physician at a 24-hour urgent care facility.
While most insect bites are harmless, some may require immediate attention. If you are allergic to an insect’s venom, or if the bite has the potential to cause Lyme disease get medical help as early as possible.
Seek medical help if an insect or a bug bite is accompanied by following symptoms
• Severe unbearable pain
• Substantial swelling
• Bruising around the bite area
• Pus oozing out of the bite wound
• Fever
An urgent care facility is a good place to go. Here are a few good reasons you must choose 24-hour urgent care
• Convenience and ease of use – Most facilities are right down the street, making it easy for you to get medical care
• Care is available throughout the day and 7 days a week. It fits into your schedule and care is available even at odd hours whenever there is a non-life-threatening emergency.
• An urgent care center is known for speed and efficiency. You are seen in quick time without needing an appointment.
• Simply put you get relief when you need it most.
If you are not sure of the seriousness of a bug or insect bite, it makes sense to err on the side of caution. See a medical provider straightaway.
Bugs can carry potentially harmful diseases. Depending upon where you are bitten, bugs can cause serious diseases like malaria, Zika, yellow-fever, dengue or chikungunya.
