By: Selena Hernandez

Insect Bites (Chiggers)

*Causes and Prevention*Insect bites are also known as puncture wounds done by

insects themselves. *Causes of an insect bite come from an injection or bite from

an insect releasing its saliva or venom into the body causing a reaction of either swelling, redness, or a blister.*Bites can come from spiders, ticks, bees, ( yellow jackets,

hornets, bumblebees, or wasps) etc.*The type of skin someone has can determine the severity of

a reaction from an insect bite. *To prevent an insect bite it is best to wear light colored

clothing, avoiding scented soaps and lotions, use insect repellants, and avoid the general area where the insects nest is.

*Signs and Symptoms*An insect bite may cause a reaction to the skin depending on if the

person has already been bitten by the insect or not or the type of skin the individual has. *A bite will usually result in swelling, redness, itching, or pain in

the general area that has been bitten. *A bite can cause a life threatening allergic reaction and the victim

should seek immediate medical attention if so. *A reaction does not always happen right away. If a reaction occurs

at a later time the symptoms may include fever, hives, painful joints or swollen glands.*Signs and symptoms of a severe reaction that needs medical

attention are fever, nausea, swelling of the face, or shock. *An allergic reaction to an insect bite may include swelling,

wheezing, hives, unconsciousness, shortness of breath, or death.

*Treatment *The first thing an individual should do if they experience a severe reaction

is to seek medical attention immediately. *For mild cases it is best to put a cold pack on the affected area of the

insect bite. *If the insect bite is not severe the best treatment is to clean the area with

soap and water and apply an antihistamine such as Benadryl or Calamine lotion to relieve itching. *If an individual is known to have allergic reactions to insect bites the

doctor will provide them with a anaphylaxis kit that includes a epinephrine pen. The epinephrine pen should be injected into the skin immediately after the bug has bitten the individual.*The usual prescription for a patient who has been bitten by an insect is

either Benadryl, Steroids, or antibiotics. For people who may become severely ill, an IV is started, oxygen is given, and a heart monitor is put on the patient to measure their heart.

*Pictures and Illustrations

Ticks Tick Bite Bulls-eye rash only occurs when Lyme Disease occurs.

Black Widow Spider Black Widow Spider Bite

Bee sting Flea Bites

Bedbugs

Caterpillar Bite

*Chiggers (Red Bugs)

*Causes and Prevention*Chiggers are found on animals, but animals do not react the way

humans do to a chigger bite. Humans usually start to itch about two hours after a bite and usually scratch the chigger away. *To get rid of chiggers it is best to take a hot shower with plenty of

soap. This prevents the chiggers from feeding. *A chigger bite usually results in itching. The itching is an allergic

reaction or it is the stylostome. Stylostome is a tube that the chigger creates when it bites. *Chiggers are very small so it is hard to prevent a bite, but there are

things an individual can do to try and prevent chigger bites. *An individual can wear long sleeves and long pants that is made of

tight woven fabric, tuck your pants into boots, use insect repellants, and take a hot shower after working in an area that may be infested.

*Signs and Symptoms *A chigger bite is not noticeable at first. About two hours after

a bite, symptoms begin. *Itching is the most common symptom of a chigger bite. *The area of the bite may be red, flat or raised, and can

resemble a blister. *The itching may last up to two days and can be very intense. *Itching may stop within a few days, but it may take weeks for

the area to heal completely.

*Treatment

*Scratching can kill eventually kill a chigger because by scratching the individual is removing the chigger.*Itching is the most common symptom, so to relieve

the itching it is best to apply antihistamines and corticosteroid creams to the area. *A common home remedy it to apply clear finger nail

polish to the area.*Benadryl can also be taken to relieve itching.

*Pictures and Illustrations

Chiggers Chigger Bites

Chiggers are very small.

*Citations* Bicknese, Nina. "Chiggers! | MDC." MDC |. Conservation Commission of Missouri. Web. 12 Feb. 2012.

<http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/avoid-outdoor-pests/chiggers>.

* Diaz, Mites JH, and Arthropods and Leeches D. Schlossberg. "Chiggers: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. A.D.A.M., Inc., 15 Sept. 2010. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001333.htm>.

* Healthwise, Incorporated. "Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites-Topic Overview." First Aid Guide and Emergency Treatment Instructions. 26 Jan. 2010. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <http://firstaid.webmd.com/tc/insect-bites-and-stings-and-spider-bites-topic-overview>.

* Martin, Md, Laura J. "Bug Bites Pictures Slideshow: Identifying Bugs and Bug Bites - WebMD." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. WebMD, LLC, 15 Aug. 2011. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <http://www.webmd.com/allergies/ss/slideshow-bad-bugs>.

* Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Insect Bites and Stings: First Aid - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 15 Jan. 2010. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-insect-bites/FA00046>.

* Stöppler, MD, Melissa Conrad. "Chiggers (Bites) Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment by MedicineNet.com." MedicineNet.com. MedicineNet, Inc, 10 June 2009. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <http://www.medicinenet.com/chiggers_bites/article.htm>.

* Townsend, Lee, and Mike Potter. "Chiggers | University of Kentucky Entomology." Learning, Discovery, Service | in the College of Agriculture. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, June 2008. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef630.asp>.

* WebMD, Inc. "Insect Bites: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention on EMedicineHealth.com." Emedicinehealth.com. Healthwise, Incorporated. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <http://www.emedicinehealth.com/insect_bites/article_em.htm>.

* Wilson, Tracy V. "HowStuffWorks "Chigger Prevention"" HowStuffWorks "Science" HowStuffWorks, Inc. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/zoology/insects-arachnids/chigger4.htm>.