First aid in case of gadfly bite

Today, due to the growth of tourism, cases of various injuries, bites, and damage are becoming more frequent. Quite often, there is a horsefly bite, which can be dangerous. It causes itching, irritation, and can also cause loss of appetite, increased irritability, and insomnia. This leads to fatigue and nervous exhaustion.

First aid for a horsefly bite

The bite site should be washed as quickly as possible, then treated with an anti-inflammatory ointment. If you are prone to allergies, it is better to take an antihistamine or inject it intramuscularly.

How to treat swelling after a horsefly bite?

To relieve swelling, take antihistamines internally. Special ointments, lotions and compresses are used externally. You can use pharmaceutical preparations. But folk, homeopathic remedies, and herbal ingredients have also proven themselves well. In the field, plucked and pre-washed plant leaves are often used. They are applied to the affected areas for some time. A cold compress, as well as ice applied to the bite site, also helps relieve swelling. Urine, vodka or alcohol are often used for compresses. You can apply a compress of dimexide, diphenhydramine (for severe swelling).

What can I put on a horsefly bite to stop it from itching?

Today, the pharmaceutical industry offers a variety of medications, ointments, and creams that quickly eliminate itching, relieve swelling, and reduce inflammation after a horsefly bite. Non-hormonal ointments and antibacterial ointments have proven themselves well. You can also make some ointments yourself using folk recipes. Levomekol is traditionally used for itching.

Lekomekol ointment helps to eliminate itching, irritation and swelling after a bite quite well. In addition, it has an anti-inflammatory effect, relieves pain and prevents the risk of infection. Apply it in a thin layer to the affected area. It is recommended to pre-wash the bite site with soap or wipe it with alcohol.

Ointments and creams for horsefly bites

Before using any ointment, you should consult a doctor, since even the most harmless ointment can have serious side effects and numerous contraindications. There are quite a lot of ointments, only a doctor can definitely choose one. It is often impossible to choose it based on recommendations and a general description. This is primarily due to the fact that each patient has their own characteristics and different levels of sensitivity. In general, when bitten by a horsefly, zinc ointment and losterin can be considered the most effective ointments. Zinc ointment quickly relieves itching that occurs at the site of the bite, eliminates redness and irritation, dries well, and is known for its astringent effect. It prevents wound infection. Can be applied directly to the bite site from the first day.

Losterin ointment has good anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous properties.

Medicines

Anti-inflammatory and antihistamine drugs are mainly used, since the bite causes severe swelling and inflammation of the surrounding tissues. When carrying out treatment, it is important to take precautions, especially if the person is prone to allergic reactions. Before giving any remedy to the victim, you need to consult a doctor. This is the main precaution that will help to avoid many side effects.

The most dangerous side effect of taking medications can be anaphylactic shock, since after a bite the level of sensitization and sensitivity of the body increases significantly, and allergization of cells increases. Anaphylactic shock is a serious condition that threatens the patient's life. In this case, symptoms appear that indicate pathological changes in two or more body systems: respiratory, circulatory, nervous, digestive tract, skin manifestations. The danger of this condition is that severe laryngeal edema and bronchial spasm develop, resulting in impaired ventilation of the lungs. Death can occur as a result of respiratory arrest.

In case of severe allergic reactions, edema, anaphylactic shock, adrenaline is administered intramuscularly in the amount of 0.5 ml of solution. If the effect does not occur, the next same dose is administered after 5 minutes. In case of severe shock, the drug is administered intravenously. After that, the drug is administered in a tenfold dilution, which increases the effectiveness of therapy and reduces the risk of side effects. Adrenaline may be ineffective in the treatment of anaphylactic reactions in cases of late reactions, or in patients taking beta-blockers.

Patients with bronchial asthma, a tendency to severe allergic reactions, are prescribed corticosteroids to prevent the risk of developing late symptoms of suffocation. Salbutamol, administered by inhalation, has proven itself well. 5 mg of the active substance is used. Reduces bronchial spasm.

Ipratropium is also used by inhalation in a concentration of 5 mg. It helps in the treatment of patients taking beta-blockers. In severe cases, when an attack of suffocation develops, salbutamol and ipratropium are administered in a combination of 5 mg.

Glucagon (1-2 mg, every 5 minutes, intravenously) can be an alternative to adrenaline and is used to prevent anaphylactic shock and relieve asthma attacks.

If there is no response to the administration of drugs and hypotension develops, infusion therapy is performed in a volume of up to 2 liters.

Vitamins

They are necessary to resist infection and tissue swelling. In the treatment of the consequences of a bite, vitamin C and B vitamins are of the greatest importance. They participate in the processes of hematopoiesis, neurohumoral regulation, and are a stimulator of growth and regeneration.

Physiotherapy treatment

Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment are rarely used. Usually, drug treatment (ointments, medicines) is enough for a complete recovery. But sometimes, in case of severe itching, irritation, and formation of seals, methods such as ultrasound treatment, infrared light, light and electrical procedures are used. Electrophoresis, in which various drugs are administered through the skin using microcurrents, has proven itself well. Under the influence of microcurrents, the drug penetrates deep into the skin and has a therapeutic effect. In this case, the drug penetrates deeper, more intensively affects the deep tissues. As a result, hematomas and tiny seals are absorbed rather quickly, inflammation, itching, and swelling are relieved. This stimulates the production of biologically active substances in the skin, stimulates natural skin renewal. In addition, this method allows you to significantly reduce the dosage of the drug. Accordingly, the likelihood of side effects is reduced.

Ultrasound, shock wave therapy, ultrasound massage also have a positive effect. During the procedure, an ultrasound wave is used. In this case, the tissues provide resistance. This promotes the resorption of seals, the removal of the inflammatory process, and the elimination of edema. Ultrasound is also known for its bactericidal properties, as a result of which the risk of infection is significantly reduced.

It also improves the functioning of blood vessels, tissues receive more oxygen, nutrients, toxins and metabolic products are removed more intensively. This leads to the fact that the tissue begins to function more actively, metabolic and regenerative abilities are restored, and the resorption of inflammation and exudates occurs faster. It also relieves itching and pain.

Tissues gain elasticity and flexibility, rejuvenation and active tissue regeneration occur. The procedure is absolutely painless, similar to an ultrasound. The doctor palpates the inflammation site, determines the location of the most pronounced inflammatory process and swelling and maximum pain syndrome. Then they proceed to the procedure itself, acting directly on the inflammation site. The wave tends to spread throughout all tissues and internal organs. During the procedure, the necessary parameters are set on the equipment, a gel is applied to the area to be treated, which improves the conductivity of the waves. The sensor emitting ultrasound is pressed tightly to the skin, and this area is treated. On average, 7-10 procedures are required for treatment. The duration of the procedure ranges from 5 to 20 minutes, determined by the individual characteristics of the body, as well as the severity of the disease.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine has many recipes for recovery from insect bites.

• Recipe #1. Nut tincture

This tincture can be taken internally. It will help quickly relieve inflammation and swelling, and will also help restore the skin. It is often used externally, for example, in the form of lotions, compresses, for wiping damaged areas. Thus, it quickly eliminates itching and inflammation, relieves swelling.

• Recipe #2. Emollient

Honey with coconut oil has proven itself well. To prepare this medicine, take a glass of water, dissolve several tablespoons of honey in it. Then add about 50 ml of coconut oil, mix thoroughly. Apply for lubrication in case of severe itching, burning, inflammation. It can also be used under a compress.

• Recipe #3. Melon Butter

Melon oil is used to lubricate affected areas, relieve inflammation. It relieves skin from lesions, inflammation, bacterial infection and fungi. It has excellent cosmetic properties. It is used for sensitive skin prone to allergic reactions. It has whitening properties.

• Recipe #4. Vitamin remedy

For internal use, it is recommended to use a puree of apples, lingonberries and blackthorn. Prepare a portion for a day. Take a glass of lingonberries and the same amount of blackthorn. Cut the apple into slices, remove the middle. Then grate on a fine grater or mince. Mix with lingonberries and blackthorn. Add honey to the resulting mixture and stir until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Take a tablespoon several times a day.

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Lotions for horsefly bites

Helps relieve itching, inflammation and swelling. It is recommended to use various herbal ingredients, homeopathic remedies. For lotions, prepare a decoction at room temperature. Soak gauze folded in several layers in it. After that, apply to the affected area for about 20-30 minutes. You can additionally apply a bandage that will help fix the gauze.

• Recipe No. 1. Fennel decoction in coffee.

To do this, take a liter of freshly brewed coffee, boil 15-20 grams of fennel seeds in it, add 2-3 tablespoons of honey and sugar. It is necessary to take into account that fennel is boiled in coffee on low heat for half an hour, and only after complete readiness add sugar and honey.

• Recipe #2. Celandine juice with honey

Squeeze the juice out of the leaves. Once the juice is obtained, add honey to it. At a rate of 1-2 tablespoons of honey per 100 ml of juice. Mix thoroughly until the honey is completely dissolved. Allow to infuse for 1-2 hours.

• Recipe #3. Sage with honey

Sage is one of the most famous herbal remedies for relieving inflammation. Honey eliminates irritation, reduces swelling, and softens mucous membranes. It is best to take a decoction. To prepare such a decoction, take 10-15 grams of sage, pour 500 ml of boiling water. Infuse for 30 minutes.

• Recipe #4. Ginger with honey

Ginger has stimulating and warming properties, helps to quickly get rid of inflammation and swelling. To prepare the mixture, grate the ginger root on a coarse grater, mix with honey. Mix thoroughly until a homogeneous mass is formed. Use for lotions. Also used for external procedures such as massage, wraps, medical compresses.

• Recipe No. 5.

To prepare the infusion, you will need about 100 grams of hawthorn berries, a bunch of grapes and a bunch of black chokeberries. Mix all the ingredients together, fill a liter jar to the top with vodka or alcohol, then add 5-6 tablespoons of honey. Mix thoroughly and let it brew for 2-3 days. It can be taken not only externally, but also internally to maintain immunity.

Cabbage for swelling of legs from horsefly bites

It has long been used as a means of quickly eliminating swelling. This effect can be achieved due to the composition of cabbage (it contains a large number of glycosides, flavonoids that bind water, and also attract toxins and remove all this. As a result, it is possible to significantly reduce tissue swelling and eliminate pain. There are many ways to use cabbage. The simplest is to pick cabbage, separate the leaves, wrap them around your leg and put on a sock or knee socks on top. You can wear it for several hours, but not less than 30 minutes.

The effect of cabbage can be enhanced by using salt. To do this, the leaves are soaked in water, sprinkled with salt (about a teaspoon per leaf), evenly distributed over the entire leaf and applied to the foot. Salt also has the ability to attract and bind salt, removing it from the tissues.

A compress of cabbage and honey quickly relieves swelling. There are two ways to apply such a compress. In the first case, the cabbage is finely chopped, mixed with honey and applied to the skin in this way. Then dry heat should be applied.

There is another way: boil the cabbage, then put it in a colander. The water drains, squeeze out the remaining water. Mix the cabbage with honey. Squeeze again so that there is no excess liquid. Wrap in gauze or bandage, apply to the leg. The compress should be hot, but should not burn. Dry heat is applied on top. It is better to put such a compress on at night. Remove the compress in the morning, wipe the skin dry, apply dry heat.

The third method is to use sauerkraut, which is similarly mixed with honey. Honey softens the skin, and cabbage reduces swelling and has an antiseptic effect.

For internal use, finely chop the cabbage. Squeeze the juice out of the resulting mass, add honey, and drink one tablespoon. You can also finely chop the cabbage, let it sit for half an hour, then mix it with honey. Take in small portions throughout the day. A quarter of a small cabbage should be enough for a day. This will help eliminate swelling from the inside, increase immunity and the body's resistance.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies are quite effective, but they should not be abused. Even the most harmless of them can cause severe poisoning and lead to numerous side effects. When taking homeopathy, you need to take precautions: be sure to consult a doctor before starting the treatment, and strictly follow the treatment plan.

• Recipe No. 1.

Jerusalem artichoke is cut into thin slices. A few spoons of honey are added. The product must be stirred so that it is completely covered with honey. Then add a few teaspoons of cloves and ground nutmeg, 2-3 bay leaves. Let it brew for 2-3 hours, then eat in small portions throughout the day. Helps relieve inflammation and swelling. To relieve itching and skin irritation, apply to the bite site and leave for 15-20 minutes.

• Recipe No. 2.

To relieve itching, use a decoction of corn silk in mumiyo. To do this, take a liter of warm water, dissolve about 2 grams of mumiyo in it. Separately boil 50-60 grams of silk. Mix the boiled silk with mumiyo, add 2-3 tablespoons of honey and sugar. Apply 2-3 tablespoons internally, and externally for compresses.

• Recipe No. 3.

Turmeric relieves inflammation, swelling, eliminates the inflammatory process, normalizes the condition of the mucous membranes. Sea buckthorn oil heals wounds, softens, relieves inflammation and irritation. Most often, the mixture is prepared as follows: take 100-200 ml of sea buckthorn oil, add a teaspoon of turmeric, mix thoroughly. If it does not dissolve well, you can heat the product in a steam bath. Apply externally as an ointment.

• Recipe No. 4.

To prevent the risk of infection and relieve inflammation, use a mixture. To prepare the mixture, grind about 500 grams of onion, garlic, horseradish, add a few tablespoons of sugar, honey to taste. You can use this mixture as a puree, or you can dilute it with 1 liter of boiling water and let it brew for an hour. The product has antibacterial properties and can also warm up tissues. It is used for compresses.

Prevention

To prevent horsefly bites during hikes, you should wear long-sleeved clothing. You should also avoid using cosmetics with a strong odor, especially floral scents that attract insects. It is not recommended to eat sweet and aromatic foods outdoors. You should also use special insect repellent products.

Forecast

If you provide timely assistance, a horsefly bite can end well. Usually, there are no serious consequences that threaten life: itching, irritation, swelling develop. But all this is quickly removed with the help of ointments and medications. A threat to life can arise with a tendency to allergies: up to anaphylactic shock, a fatal outcome.