Siberian specifics: the dangers of mosquito, gadfly, and midge bites

Most people practice good hygiene. A person's body temperature is 36.6 degrees, which is significantly lower than that of animals, and the meager amount of hair on the body contributes to the fact that a person is a carrier of fleas, but they cannot constantly parasitize him.

The human flea adapts perfectly to its environment and visits humans only while eating.

The most common types of fleas

• Dog and cat fleas. Their bites on the body appear when a person comes into contact with animals.
• Rat. They are more widespread in rural areas. This type of flea carries the most dangerous diseases.
• Avian and other species.

Flea bites can cause discomfort, cause allergies and cause illness. Typically, bite marks on the skin completely disappear after 4 days.

Important!

An insect attack is easy to notice. Boha can move quickly, so nature has not endowed it with an anesthetic enzyme in its saliva. A flea bite is quite painful.

Lyme disease

Ixodid ticks, which transmit Lyme disease, are considered the most dangerous. Its symptoms include the appearance of red circles on the skin, headache, skin rash, fatigue, and fever. In the absence of treatment, the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems is disrupted, and joints suffer. In most cases, the disease can be successfully treated with antibiotics. The sooner you see a doctor, the less risk there is to your health.

Medical network experts advise developing a useful habit: after relaxing in nature, go to the bathroom and carefully examine all attractive places for ticks (scalp, face, area behind the ears, armpits, area under the knees, chest, upper and lower extremities).

After each walk, take a shower and wash your clothes thoroughly. If an insect is found, contact a dermatologist or infectious disease specialist. Removing the insect yourself may increase the risk of infection. For example, due to:

• insufficient disinfection;
• incomplete removal of the tick;
• low immunity;
• the presence of other infectious diseases or inflammatory processes in the body.

Features and treatment of the consequences of a flea bite

The human flea is almost no different from its counterparts (cats, dogs, rats, etc.). Its body is flattened laterally, equipped with strong hind legs for making long and sharp jumps. A flea can cover a distance of half a meter in a microsecond. Its oral piercing-sucking apparatus is small, so when the skin is pierced, the flea plunges almost half into it. Its body forms a right angle with respect to the skin of the victim when it bites. The dense chitinous shell and flattened body make the parasite immune to physical influences (it is almost impossible to catch or crush a flea). The bloodsucker is not constantly on a person, spending most of its time in other places.

An adult female produces several eggs in one clutch, which develop within 14 days in cracks in the floor, walls, carpets, and upholstered furniture. The larva hatching from the egg goes through several molts and soon turns into an adult. A female can lay more than 500 eggs in her entire life (which is from 1.5 to 3 years).

Fleas that bite animals are almost no different from humans. They have the same size, color, life expectancy. A more thorough study of the parasite and determining what species it belongs to is possible only with the help of special equipment.

Specialists in Khanty-Mansiysk have all the means to detect insects and destroy them instantly.

Important!

Wounds after flea bites take a long time to heal, they can become inflamed and fester.

In order for blood to flow into the digestive system in a continuous stream, the flea, along with saliva, introduces a toxic enzyme that prevents blood clotting. After the parasite is removed, the skin at the site of the bite closes, but microbleeding underneath continues, leading to hemorrhage. Multiple bites in one place can lead to purpura (subcutaneous hemorrhage).

Frequent consequences of flea bites

• Allergy. Its options are not limited (swelling, itching, redness, anaphylactic shock).
• A severe infection of the body that the parasite suffered from other victims.
• Suppuration and inflammation of the bite.

Allergic reactions are more likely to occur in children and people whose skin is highly sensitive. If the bite is too painful or does not go away within 4 days, be sure to consult a doctor. Wounds should be washed with warm water and antiseptic soap. A piece of ice applied to the wound will help relieve swelling.

Important!

The child's body is more susceptible to the negative effects of injected toxic enzymes. The child’s immunity is weakened, so swelling after flea bites in children is much greater than in adults.

Bite areas can be treated with sulfur ointment, an aqueous solution of baking soda, vodka, iodine and brilliant green. These measures disinfect the wound, reduce swelling and reduce itching.

Do not scratch the bite site. Along with dirt, an infection can get into the wound, resulting in inflammation and suppuration.

Bites from different types of insects can cause different reactions. For example, the earthen flea does not just bite a person. It can get deep into the skin under the nails and lay eggs there, which will cause suppuration. Its larvae develop by eating purulent formations and organic tissue.

The cat flea causes fungal infections and infectious diseases, transmits helminth and cucumber tapeworm eggs into human blood. The larvae are thus spread throughout the body, affecting internal organs.

A rat flea attack is the most dangerous. A person can get sick from typhus, plague and other deadly diseases.

Important!

If you are bitten, refrain from scratching the wound. This can cause the infection to quickly spread throughout the body. If you treat the wound quickly, you will minimize the risk of infection.

flies

Flies live everywhere and carry dangerous diseases such as pneumonia and intestinal infections. During epidemics, they are able to transport pathogens over long distances, increasing the focus of infection.

Fly bites are painful and cause redness. The bitten area should be immediately treated with an antiseptic solution, and you should also not consume the food and drinks on which representatives of the Diptera family landed. Flies, like midges, love to settle near garbage cans and the corpses of dead animals.

Symptoms and methods of control

Flea bites cause allergies, itching and redness. During the first hours, a blister forms, which quickly disappears. The size of the swelling depends on the type of parasite attacked. Residual effects are caused by micro hemorrhages. Their severity and duration also depend on the type of parasite.

Most often, bites occur on the legs. If the attack occurred in a dream, then the arms, neck, chest, and stomach suffer. If there were a lot of fleas, then they leave a distance of about 2 cm between the wounds. There is no consistent chain of bites, like with a bug.

How to distinguish a flea bite

• You feel a sharp pain.
• The bite site is very itchy (more itchy than a mosquito bite).
• There is slight swelling.
• More bites on the lower body and legs.

All of the above phenomena are accompanied by rashes, a possible increase in temperature, enlarged lymph nodes, and the appearance of suppuration, which indicates pulicosis.

Definition:

Pulicosis is a dermatological disease accompanied by difficulty breathing, fever, diarrhea, with signs of anaphylactic shock. You need to see a doctor immediately.

Lice

The favorite place of lice is hair. You can catch them using a comb, a hat, or a scarf of an infected person. If itching appears on your head, do not ignore it. Have a family member check the back of your head, neck, and behind the ears. If you find parasites, try not to scratch your scalp. Wounds contribute to the rapid penetration of infection into the blood.

Killing fleas with insecticides

Local control of insects is an ineffective method of exterminating them. First you need to find the source of the parasites. will sanitize the premises and 100% destroy all harmful insects. In our work we use certified equipment and effective chemicals that are safe for animals and humans.

If you have a pet living in your house, it also needs to be treated. You can use drops, shampoo, spray or gel. Don’t forget about the bedding (the animal’s habitat), carpets, and upholstered furniture. Thoroughly clean the room every 2 weeks, paying attention to corners and crevices. They must be treated with special means. Don't rule out car interior treatment. When killing fleas, use only professional insecticides that have already shown high effectiveness in controlling parasites. To prevent a new invasion of the premises, keep wormwood with inflorescences at home or periodically wipe all surfaces with a damp cloth soaked in tansy infusion.

Prevention on the street

While the child is small, it is easy to cover him with a mosquito cover right in the stroller. In some cases, it is convenient to use protective clothing or tents with mosquito nets. In all other situations, repellents become almost the only protective measure. Modern repellents typically use one of these two main active ingredients - DEET or picaridin.

DEET (diethyltoluamide) is the most commonly used broad-spectrum ingredient that is effective against mosquitoes, biting flies, fleas and ticks. In most cases, a repellent containing up to 10% DEET will prevent mosquito bites. In areas at high risk of insect-borne infections (where malaria, Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus and Dengue fever occur), repellents with a DEET concentration of 15–30% should be used.

DEET can be safely applied to cotton, wool and nylon, but can damage spandex, rayon, acetate and leather clothing. DEET can dissolve plastics and vinyl (such as sunglass frames or watch bands).

Picaridin is a new repellent ingredient that is odorless and less sticky than DEET. May be more pleasant to use, does not dissolve plastic. Studies have shown that picaridin is as effective as DEET; however, its protection is less long-lasting and it will need to be applied more frequently. Products containing 10% picaridin will prevent insect bites in most situations.

Safety of using repellents in children

Before use, read the label, assess the level of DEET or picaridin in the product, and use the repellent only as directed by the manufacturer.

Follow simple rules:

• Choose roll-on medications over aerosols if you have a choice.
• Apply a moderate amount of the drug to exposed skin.
• Do not apply the drug to cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
• Do not apply to areas around the eyes or mouth (in case of accidental contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water!).
• Do not apply to the palms or fingers of small children.
• When you return home, wash the repellent off your skin with soap and water.
• Keep repellents out of the reach of children.
• If you need to apply both sunscreen and repellent, apply the sunscreen first. Products that combine sunscreen and repellent are not recommended by experts, as sunscreen usually needs to be reapplied, but repellent does not.

Physical methods of protection

Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors, so you should wear light-colored clothing that covers your wrists and ankles to reduce the likelihood of being bitten. If you are planning to travel to high-risk areas, it is recommended that you obtain medical advice before traveling; you may need additional vaccinations against infections and/or drugs to prevent malaria.

Stagnant water attracts mosquitoes, so stay away from dams, ponds, swamps and other areas with standing water.

To prevent mosquitoes from breeding near your home:

• Cover all water containers (including swimming pools) to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs there.
• Empty all water containers when not in use.
• Change the water in used containers at least once a week.
• Cover cesspools and septic tanks to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in them.
• Remove excess vegetation from garden ponds and stock the ponds with fish.
• Avoid overwatering your garden.

Proven repellents

Treating bites is a troublesome and time-consuming task, so it is better to prevent flea attacks with the help of repellent substances. Repellents are recommended for use by people at high risk of flea bites:

• pet owners;
• those who work in conditions of high humidity and dampness;
• those who are often on the street, as well as near untrustworthy contaminated premises and territories.

Effective products that repel fleas from humans:

1. Spray OFF Smooth & Dry. Available in the form of a “dry aerosol”, it acts on the skin and clothing for 3–4 hours, and can be used no more than 2 times a day. Before going to bed, wash off the substance with warm soapy water.
2. Mosquitoll. The spray has a persistent lemon scent and does not leave greasy stains on skin or clothes. One-time treatment within 24 hours is possible. Use is contraindicated to protect children and pregnant women.
3. Medilis comfort. A spray that is sprayed not on the skin, but on clothes, tents, and mosquito nets. Provides protection against blood-sucking insects for 20 days after application.

A flea bite is always an unpleasant surprise, and you need to react to it immediately. Timely treatment using pharmaceutical products or folk remedies reduces the risk of complications and makes a person feel better.

Mosquitoes

You should always protect yourself from mosquitoes, because they are carriers of malaria and other diseases. Mosquito repellents, protective clothing, window screens on gazebos and scented sticks are all suitable options. When using sprays or creams on the skin, be sure to do an allergy test. If it is present, it is better to select a remedy with your doctor.

As observations show, some people who are in the same place where mosquitoes accumulate are bitten with different strength and frequency. This may be explained by the fact that each insect perceives the smell of a person differently: for it it is more or less attractive. This is equivalent to susceptibility to bites: some have a strong reaction, others have a weaker reaction. And this depends on the toxicity of the saliva of the mosquito that struck.

Preparations for healing wounds from bites

When the itching stops bothering you, it is important not to let the treatment take its course, but to speed up the healing of the wounds. Only in this case you don’t have to worry about the possible risk of infection. Popular products for regenerating the skin in affected areas:

1. Sulfuric ointment. An inexpensive but effective product based on natural precipitated sulfur. Disinfects the wound and promotes speedy healing. Apply once a day for 15 minutes, then wash off (otherwise it stains linen and clothes). The only drawback is the persistent unpleasant odor.
2. Homogeneous cream Epidel. Has an anti-inflammatory effect. With regular use, bite wounds heal within 3–4 days. It doesn’t get dirty or smell, but it costs 5 times more than sulfur ointment (about 900–1000 rubles per tube).
3. Actovegil is a stimulator of tissue regeneration. Available in the form of an injection solution. It is administered only as prescribed by doctors intravenously or intramuscularly once a day for a week or until complete healing.
4. Ointment Bepanten. The active substance at the base of the drug is dexpanthenol. It is used from the first days of a child’s life, and is approved for use during pregnancy and lactation.

Causes

There are several varieties of hymenoptera that sting people most often: wasps, bees, bumblebees, hornets. Wasps and bees sting most often. In this case, the bites themselves do not have an adverse effect on the body, but only cause some discomfort and pain. The cause of negative symptoms is an allergic reaction to the venom of such insects.

It is important to remember that wasps sting people for self-defense or to protect their own offspring. It often happens that a person brushes away an insect circling nearby with his hands. This gesture is perceived as aggression, and the wasp stings the person. There is a risk of being attacked by insects even if you are near their nest.