BITES AND STINGS!!!

Insect bites or stings can be from a number of insects including bees, spiders, fleas, hornets, wasps, and mosquitoes. Some cause itching; others cause pain. The itching and pain occur because the insect has injected venom or another irritating substance into your skin, which causes an allergic reaction. In most cases, this reaction is bothersome but not dangerous. However, a severe reaction can cause anaphylaxis, resulting in shortness of breath and tightening of your throat. Anaphylaxis can be fatal, even on the first reaction. Severe reactions can affect the whole body and may occur in minutes. Most insect bites are harmless, though they feel unpleasant. Bee, wasp, and hornet stings and fire ant bites usually hurt. Mosquito, flea and mite bites usually itch. Insects can also transmit diseases, such as yellow fever and malaria.Another type of allergic reaction is called angioedema, which involves swelling throughout your body, especially the face, lips, and around the eyes. More people have allergic reactions to stinging insects than to biting insects.

Following are the symptoms:

• Red, swollen, warm lump
• Hives
• Itching, tenderness, pain
• Sores from scratching; can become infected
• Serious allergic reactions (called anaphylaxis) when symptoms spread.

These can include difficulty breathing, dizziness, nausea, fever, muscle spasms, or loss of consciousness. Call for emergency medical help right away.

Insect bites and stings can become infected with bacteria. If this happens, instead of clearing up after a few days, the area around the bite or sting becomes more red and sore, and pus may build up inside. Infected bites or stings may make you feel unwell with flu-like symptoms and swollen glands.

You may also notice a red line coming from the bite and going towards your armpit or groin. This is caused by inflammation in your lymphatic system and is known as tracking. The lymphatic system is the tissues and organs, including the bone marrow, spleen, thymus and lymph nodes, that produce and store cells that fight infection and disease. The channels that carry lymph are also part of this system.

Redness, minor swelling, pain, or itching at the site of the bite generally go away in 3 - 7 days with no treatment, even if the affected area is large.

Reach Pharmacy can help you with a variety of products to help you out of bites and stings in a single click such as Anthisan bite and sting cream, Anthisan Creams, Itch-Gone Insect/Mosquito Bite Relief, Safe + Sound styptic pencil, Wasp-eze spray for all stings etc...We will be with you in case of emergencies, just a call away!!!