Some people experience a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction after they’ve been bitten or stung by an insect. This is a medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 immediately. Signs of an allergic reaction – which can occur within seconds to minutes after a bite or sting – include sneezing, wheezing, hives, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sudden anxiety, dizziness, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and itching or swelling of the eyes, lips, or other areas of the face. Remember: This is an emergency. Call 9-1-1 without delay.
If you or your child has ever had an allergic reaction to a sting or bite, you should be checked by an allergy specialist. In some cases, you might be advised to wear a medical ID tag that states your specific allergy. You might also be advised to carry epinephrine, a medication used to treat serious or life-threatening allergic reactions. Sometimes allergy shots are also recommended.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick, can cause fever, headaches, fatigue, and a skin rash that looks like a circular red patch – a bull’s-eye. Left untreated, infection can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system. It is rarely fatal. If antibiotics are taken in the early stages, most people recover quickly and completely.
Symptoms of West Nile Virus
West Nile virus, which is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, can produce flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, body aches, and skin rash. While most people who are infected have a mild case of the disease and recover quickly on their own, infection can be serious or even fatal. There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus.
Symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
At first you might have fever, nausea, vomiting, severe headache, muscle pain, and lack of appetite. The notable red, spotted rash of Rocky Mountain spotted fever is usually not seen until the sixth day or later after symptoms begin. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is transmitted from the bite of a tick that carries the Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria. Some people infected never develop a rash. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is treated with antibiotics.
Signs of Infection
It is normal for a bite or sting to result in redness and minor swelling at the site. But if the site becomes infected, a fever might develop or the redness or soreness may worsen. For infection, your doctor might prescribe an antibiotic. |
