It’s not uncommon to find people who are afraid of insects. And although this is something that’s in our genetics, one of the big reasons for this fear is the stingers and bites many insects deliver. But what are the consequences of an insect bite on our body? Do you really need to see a doctor? Why are so many people allergic to insect bites? Find out all this and more in today’s article! But first, it’s important to understand exactly why insects bite.
Why Do Insects Bite?
Insects are living beings equipped with certain defense and survival mechanisms and, often, a bite carries out both functions. When a mosquito bites someone, for example, it’s simply feeding itself. However, a bee only stings when it feels its hive is in danger. The same logic applies to any other biting insect, whether it’s venomous or not, and whether the bite triggers an allergy or not.
Why Are Insect Bites Harmful?
There are many reasons why insect bites can be harmful to our health. The main one is that many insects may be disease transmitters, like the Aedes aegypti, for instance, which transmits dengue, the Zika virus, and chikungunya fever. Another reason why insect bites are dangerous is that many insects carry venom, such as some types of ants, wasps, and the kissing bug, for example. Even though insect venom is not usually lethal, it can cause numerous health complications. The last reason why insect bites are harmful is that many people are allergic to them. Depending on the number of bites, this problem can be much more serious than one might think.
Most Dangerous Insect Bites
Now that we’ve discussed why insect bites can be so dangerous, let’s take a look at some practical examples. For that reason, we’ve listed some of the main insects that provoke some type of reaction in humans when they bite. They are:
- Bee
- European wasp
- Fire ant
- Hornet
Let’s talk about each of them separately and show how their bites affect the body.
Bee
It’s very common to have reactions to bee stings, such as redness, itching, and pain at the site. However, some people are much more sensitive and may experience significant swelling and breathing difficulties. In these cases, it’s important to seek medical attention as quickly as possible. It’s also recommended that you remove the bee’s stinger and wash the affected area to help reduce pain and swelling.
European Wasp
The European wasp is an insect that only attacks when threatened, but its sting is much more painful and intense than that of a bee. People allergic to this insect’s venom can have very severe reactions and even die, depending on how many times they’re stung. It’s recommended that anyone who has been stung take an antihistamine to help prevent severe reactions and seek medical attention as soon as possible. It’s also important to apply a cold compress to help relieve pain and burning from the sting.
Fire Ant
Fire ant stings cause sharp, intense pain, followed by a strong burning and itching sensation. However, as with bees, these bites typically don’t cause serious damage—unless the person has a very strong allergic reaction. There are situations, such as a person falling onto an anthill and getting stung multiple times. In these cases, it’s very important to head straight to a hospital for treatment, as the risks are high, especially for children.
Hornet
Although hornets may look scary to many people, their sting causes much less harm to health. That’s because, despite having a larger stinger, they have much less venom than a wasp. Even so, it’s important to wash the bite site and use creams to reduce the inevitable redness that may occur. And of course, just as with bees and fire ants, an attack by a swarm of hornets can be not only extremely painful but also very dangerous. When that happens, it’s important to get to a doctor as soon as possible, especially since someone with an allergy may have a very severe reaction. 
When Should You See a Doctor?
When someone has a strong allergic reaction to an insect bite, it’s important to seek medical help as quickly as possible. As you’ve seen, in some cases these reactions can have very serious consequences, so getting prompt treatment is the best course of action. However, it’s always important to keep your checkups up to date and know whether or not you’re allergic to insect bites. That way, it’s easier to avoid contact with them, and you can be more careful when you’re somewhere you might get bitten. Insect bites can be painful, but as you’ve seen in today’s article, they can also cause much more harm. That’s why it’s always important to know which insects are most dangerous to us and do everything possible to avoid them. Also, it’s important to know whether you’re allergic to any kind of insect bite, since that, too, is a factor that can severely affect your health. By getting to know your own body better, you also learn how to prevent a range of problems.
