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If you think bug bites are just an annoyance, think again. There are common bug bites and then there are bad bug bites that spread diseases.
Diseases that are known to be spread through different types of insects include yellow fever, chagas disease, malaria, and encephalitis. Each year, scientists are learning about other diseases that may be spread by bug bites.
If you plan on doing any hiking, your best protection is learning how to identify different types of insects that bite. Keep reading to find out more.
Mosquito Bites Can Be Bad Bug Bites
In most parts of North America, people don’t think twice about a mosquito bite. It’s part of life in the summer. The truth is, insect bites from mosquitoes can spread the Zika virus, West Nile virus, and malaria.
Zika virus can be especially dangerous to pregnant women. It can cause birth defects.
Mosquito bites usually appear as a pink or red bump that becomes very itchy. For most people, it is a minor inconvenience. For others, it can swell and cause a great deal of distress.
Spider Bites are Usually Minor Bug Bites
Despite the fear that many people have of spiders, most spider bites are minor. Very few of them are poisonous. Symptoms of a spider bit include swelling, minor pain, and red skin.
People with allergies have more severe symptoms. These can include problems breathing or swallowing, swelling, and chest tightness. If any of these symptoms appear, you should see a doctor immediately.
Some spiders are poisonous and can have major reactions. Black widow spiders leave puncture marks and may not even be painful at first. Pain begins within 30 to 40 minutes and within eight hours you can have muscle rigidity, vomiting, or breathing problems.
Tick Bites May Pass on Disease
Ticks are common in grassy or wooded areas and you should always check for ticks after you’ve been outdoors. The main concern about tick bites is that they can carry Lyme Disease, or more rarely, spotted fever.
Lyme Disease can take up to a month to show up as a pattern of rings on the skin. Other symptoms can include fatigue, fever, muscle and joint pain, and headaches. Some people never get a rash, which can make this disease hard to diagnose.
Spotted fever comes from dog ticks and is much rarer. Symptoms are similar to Lyme Disease, but the rash appears as pinpoint spots and spreads. Some do not get a rash at all.
Bed Bug Bites Can Get Infected
Bed bugs aren’t a typical hiking problem, but they are common enough that they are worth mentioning.
If you have bed bugs, you might not even notice at first. Then little red marks start showing up in clusters. If you have an allergy to bed bug bites, you may see them get inflamed within 24 hours to 3 days.
Bed bug bites don’t carry diseases but they can become infected. If they look very red or are filling with liquid see a general doctor or a dermatologist for treatment.
Always Be Aware of Bug Bites
Rashes are always worth paying attention to. They are frequently the result of bug bites. If you have any kind of rash, watch for other symptoms. If the symptoms become worse, see a doctor immediately.
You can also protect yourself by learning about the types of bugs that are common in your area.
Education is your most valuable tool. Visit the Health section of our blog for more useful articles.
