Human gadfly bite: symptoms and signs

Summer, in addition to all its charms, also conceals certain troubles and even certain dangers. An example of such danger can be a gadfly bite. It not only causes such unpleasant consequences as itching, swelling, but can also cause serious deterioration in health, and even death, for example, with a strong allergic reaction, anaphylactic shock.

Why is a gadfly bite dangerous?

The danger is primarily that a strong allergic reaction may develop, which will lead to a serious condition, and even death. Adverse consequences, a danger to life develops if anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema develops. [ 1 ] If emergency care is not provided, such conditions end in death. Less dangerous conditions are swelling, urticaria, hematoma at the site of the bite, severe itching. If a person scratches the bite, this can lead to infection, an inflammatory process, which is no less dangerous than an allergy. A gadfly bite is also dangerous because a person may develop an attack of suffocation, especially in people prone to respiratory diseases, with bronchial asthma, bronchitis in the anamnesis.

Epidemiology

According to statistics, children are most often bitten. Thus, every fourth child under the age of 7 is bitten by gadflies. Every third child under the age of 12 is bitten. Anaphylactic shock develops in approximately 18% of cases. An increased reaction, which is accompanied by a systemic manifestation at the level of the whole body, an increase in temperature, a pronounced inflammatory process at the site of the bite, develops in approximately 45% of cases. About 35% of cases are accompanied by swelling, itching, redness directly at the site of the bite, which is quite effectively treated with the help of specially selected therapy. [ 2 ], [ 3 ]

Risk factors

The risk group includes people who spend a lot of time outdoors: in the yard, in the garden, in the vegetable garden, in city parks, forests. It is especially dangerous if there is fragrant vegetation growing nearby, flowers are blooming, which attracts insects. The danger increases if there are food products and sweets nearby. Sweets such as honey, sugar, cotton candy, ripe fruits are especially attractive to insects. The risk increases significantly for people who eat outside, have picnics, use fragrant cosmetics, especially if they have a sweet smell.

Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis is based on an allergic reaction that develops at the site of the bite. At first, this is a local reaction, but then it can turn into a generalized, systemic reaction affecting the entire body as a whole. After the bite, a small amount of saliva containing enzymes enters the body along with the sting. It is these that are perceived by the human immune system as foreign agents.

An immune reaction is launched aimed at destroying this antigen (allergen). This is accompanied by activation of the T-cell link of immunity (a cellular immune response develops). At the second stage, the B-cell link of immunity is activated (humoral immune response). First of all, cellular reactions and phagocytosis develop. Lymphocytes, monophages, and neutrophils immediately begin to migrate to the bite site, their main task being to neutralize and remove from the body everything that is genetically foreign (and therefore dangerous). A reaction develops in which the antigen often dies, but the cells of the immune system die along with it. New cells come to the rescue. Thus, an inflammatory reaction gradually develops at the bite site.

Additionally, in order to “help” immune cells fight antigens, the humoral link of the immune system begins to synthesize additional chemical factors. There is a sharp release of histamine, which supports the inflammatory process. Its excessive release causes an allergic reaction. The pathogenesis of a gadfly bite is also associated with the active production of tissue mediators, enzymes that enter the inflammation site and help immune cells fight antigens. If the local reaction is not stopped in time, the process may generalize, and a systemic reaction will begin to develop at the level of the entire body. Excessive activation of the immune system is dangerous because autoimmune reactions may develop, the essence of which is that a reaction aimed at protection turns into a reaction that is dangerous for the body itself. Some cells of the human body begin to be perceived by the immune system as foreign, and begin to be destroyed, just like antigens. A possible autoimmune reaction in which important tissues of the body are attacked. [ 4 ]

Also, a gadfly bite can cause anaphylactic shock. The pathogenesis is based on a violation of immune reactivity, in which the body's hypersensitivity to antigens develops. In response to their entry into the body, a sharp release of histamine occurs in huge quantities. It is they that cause the symptoms of anaphylaxis, which require immediate emergency care.

What happens after a gadfly bite?

The first thing that happens after a gadfly bite is the development of an immune reaction, which is aimed at eliminating the antigen from the body. The antigen is the enzymes that entered the body along with the saliva and sting.

It is worth noting that with increased sensitization of the body, hypersensitivity develops, which is accompanied by the fact that the body reacts extremely strongly to the antigen, and an immediate hypersensitivity reaction develops, which manifests itself as anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock). In this condition, a large amount of histamine is suddenly released into the blood, which leads to the development of an asthma attack, a sharp drop in blood pressure, temperature. It can end in death. In patients with bronchial asthma, asthmatic bronchitis, airway obstruction, an asthma attack often develops.

If the reaction is normal, a small inflammatory or allergic reaction develops at the site of the bite, which soon goes away if the bite site is treated correctly.

In any case, whatever the reaction, you need to see a doctor. At least to make sure that you have not been infected with gadfly larvae and are not at risk of a parasitic disease. In order to make a diagnosis, it is easiest to contact your local therapist. He will prescribe the necessary tests, an examination plan, and refer you to the necessary specialists. Based on the results, the necessary treatment will be prescribed.

Do botflies lay eggs when they bite?

Gadflies have the ability to lay eggs under the skin of cattle. It is impossible to answer the question of whether they lay eggs when biting a person unequivocally. At present, there is no reason to claim that they are not capable of this. However, it has been established that in most cases, they do not lay eggs. Most bites do not result in parasitic invasion (approximately 96%). However, there are isolated cases in which a parasitic disease developed after a gadfly bite (1-2 weeks after the bite, numerous passages from the larvae appeared in this place). Other signs of parasitic invasion also appeared. But these are exceptional cases. It should be taken into account that cattle are the main host for gadfly larvae. Therefore, when in contact with animals, precautions must be taken. Larvae that get on human skin take root under the skin and cause parasitic disease.

Symptoms of a gadfly bite

The symptoms of a gadfly bite include redness at the site of the bite, itching, and burning. These symptoms gradually increase in severity. If at this stage the bite site is not treated correctly and an antiallergic agent is not taken, the inflammatory and allergic reaction increases. As the reaction progresses, swelling, hyperemia, and compaction at the site of the bite appear. The reaction can also affect surrounding tissues, spreading far beyond the bite. Later, general symptoms such as chills and fever join in. Intoxication, signs of reaction progression, and the development of a systemic inflammatory reaction may appear.

It is not difficult to guess that the very first sign by which you can recognize a gadfly bite is the sensation of the bite itself, which most often manifests itself as a sharp stabbing pain. Many people feel it as a sharp painful injection that immediately begins to burn. The burning sensation gradually increases, the bite site turns red and swells. A puncture of the skin is clearly visible on it (a small trace of the bite is visible). Redness and swelling appear around. But there are also cases when a person does not feel the bite directly. Then the external manifestation of the bite comes to the fore - a violation of the integrity of the skin, a puncture, redness and swelling around the bite, itching or burning, less often - pain. When the first signs of a bite appear, you need to see a doctor and not wait for the condition to worsen. An infectious disease specialist or surgeon may be needed. The diagnosis is based on the clinical picture of the pathology, as well as diagnostic test data.

What does a gadfly bite mark look like?

The mark left on the skin from a gadfly bite depends on the individual reaction of the body to foreign factors (the state of the immune system), as well as on the level of sensitization of the body, which determines the severity of the allergic reaction.

With increased sensitization, increased reactivity of the immune system, the reaction develops sharply, the bite site quickly swells, redness develops. At the site of the bite, a point from the puncture of the skin by the sting is usually clearly visible. Redness, compaction, and swelling develop around it. The size of this mark depends on the reaction and can vary from a point without swelling, or with minimal swelling and redness (a few millimeters) to pronounced swelling, which affects large areas of the body. For example, when bitten on the palm, the entire arm, up to the shoulder, can swell.

Gadfly larvae bite

During the bite, the gadfly almost never lays eggs and larvae in the human body. But it can lay them in the body of cattle (under the skin). A person becomes infected with larvae through contact with infected animals. Larvae can be recognized by characteristic passages under the skin, without an accompanying gadfly bite. Similarly, it is accompanied by an inflammatory process and an allergic reaction. It is necessary to treat the bite site as quickly as possible, which will prevent an allergic reaction, inflammation, and will become a reliable prevention of infection. It is better to use alcohol or other alcohol-containing tinctures. To avoid infection, after a gadfly bite or contact with larvae (with infected cattle), it is better to treat the bite site with alcohol-containing tinctures for at least 10 days.

Bullfly bite

Bovine gadflies often live on bulls and cows. Their bite is not felt and is not dangerous for cattle, but causes a strong reaction in humans (meaning that cows do not develop anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity, suffocation from a bite). This is due to the fact that cows and bulls have skin covered with a protective lubricant. If this is not enough, cattle additionally roll in the mud. Dried mud reliably protects against bites. But cows have another danger - gadflies lay eggs under the skin, from which larvae subsequently hatch, and then new insects develop. But this is already dangerous due to the development of a serious parasitic disease, an inflammatory process. The greatest risk is that the larvae form passages under the skin, feed on tissue juices and the blood of animals. They can penetrate the bloodstream, infect internal organs, tissues. As a result, the animal may die.

There are a large number of bovine gadflies in pastures, barns, farms and agricultural enterprises. The possibility of a bite should be foreseen when in contact with animals. Therefore, you should have a first aid kit with you. It is also recommended to wear clothing that will protect against bites: long pants, long-sleeved sweaters. The symptoms of a bite are classic: puncture of the skin, burning, itching, redness, swelling.

Gadfly bite during pregnancy

A high degree of risk and danger arises from a gadfly bite during pregnancy. During this period, the body already experiences increased stress, since there is an active restructuring of all functions, hormonal failure, and decreased immunity. Increased sensitization and a high level of histamine develop in the body, which predetermines a pronounced allergic and inflammatory reaction, significantly increases the risk of developing hypersensitivity, severe edema, suffocation, and anaphylactic shock. The particular danger is associated with the fact that not only the mother but also the child (fetus) is at risk. A bite can affect the course of pregnancy in a completely unpredictable way. The risk of miscarriage, frozen pregnancy, stillbirth, fetal malformations, or various complications cannot be ruled out.

It is important to remember that during pregnancy, a woman's immunity decreases, so the risk of developing an infection, infecting the bite site, and the likelihood of parasitic invasion increases sharply. The bite must be reported to the doctor who is monitoring the pregnancy.

The bite site should be lubricated with a special ointment designed to relieve itching and eliminate the inflammatory process. Levomycetin ointment works well. It is applied in a thin layer to the skin and rubbed thoroughly. You can also dissolve an analgin or aspirin tablet in a few milliliters of warm boiled water. Soak cotton wool in the resulting solution, then wipe the bite site with this solution. The duration of treatment is 7-10 days. [ 5 ]

Gadfly bite on a child

Since a child's body is more sensitive, when bitten by a gadfly, an allergic reaction, swelling, redness and other reactions develop much faster. Therefore, it is necessary to provide immediate assistance, and be sure to give the child an anti-allergic drug. [ 6 ]

To relieve itching, pain and allergic reactions, painkillers are often prescribed, for example, paracetamol, analgin, aspirin. It is recommended to take one tablet 2-3 times a day. [ 7 ] Anti-inflammatory and antihistamine drugs are very effective. The therapy often includes not only traditional medicines, but also folk, homeopathic recipes, and herbal medicine.

Complications and consequences

A gadfly bite almost always itches. Why? Because it is associated with the body's reaction to the enzyme that enters the human body with the bite. It causes the development of an inflammatory, allergic reaction. First of all, inflammation mediators and histamine arrive at the bite site. They are the ones that contribute to the development of itching. Itching also appears when the bite heals and the skin is restored. Regeneration processes are always accompanied by itching, since they are associated with biochemical reactions that develop in the skin.

Usually, special anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic drugs are required. Quite often, when bitten by a gadfly, tavegil or loratadine are prescribed (take 1 tablet per day, since these are prolonged-action drugs). The duration of action is 24 hours. To eliminate local symptoms, it is necessary to use various ointments that quickly and effectively relieve itching, inflammation, and prevent the development of an infectious process. Read about other consequences after a gadfly bite here.

Diagnostics of a gadfly bite

In order to diagnose a hornet bite, you need to go to any clinic or hospital. The diagnosis can be made by a surgeon, therapist, traumatologist, allergist, or infectious disease specialist. There is no doctor as such who directly diagnoses insect bites. But you can always contact a therapist, and he will refer you to the right doctor, select a treatment and diagnostic scheme, prescribe the necessary tests, and instrumental studies. Usually, the diagnosis is made based on the clinical picture of the developed pathology, based on an examination of the bite site.

Differential diagnosis

The basis of differential diagnostics is the need to determine those distinguishing features that are necessary for making a correct diagnosis and that distinguish the features of a gadfly bite from the bites of other insects. Further treatment and its effectiveness largely depend on this.

Treatment of a gadfly bite

If you have been bitten by a gadfly, treatment should be aimed at preventing the main consequences of the bite, including an allergic reaction and intoxication. This is due to the fact that the most dangerous consequence of a bite is an allergic reaction, which develops quite quickly. The greatest danger of a bite is the development of an immediate reaction, which begins to develop immediately, progresses quite quickly and leads to disastrous consequences. The greatest danger is that anaphylactic shock can develop. Its consequences are extremely severe, up to and including death, hypoxia, and suffocation. It should also be taken into account that the risk increases many times over in people prone to allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and respiratory disorders.

In addition to stopping an allergic attack or reaction, treatment should be aimed at relieving pain (if any), preventing infection from entering the bite site and the development of an inflammatory and infectious process.

In this case, it is important to react promptly and provide emergency assistance. First, you need to remove the sting as quickly as possible. Second, after removing the sting, apply cold to the affected area. To prevent an allergic reaction, you should take an antiallergic pill as soon as possible or inject it intramuscularly. After providing emergency assistance, the affected area should be treated with various ointments for quite a long time. The ointment is usually selected by a doctor. But if there is no opportunity to consult a doctor, it is better to opt for anti-inflammatory or antiseptic ointments. The latter are especially relevant if there is a risk of infection of the bite, a wound has appeared, or the integrity of the skin is compromised. You can also use various folk and homeopathic remedies.

The patient should be provided with plenty of fluids. If signs of intoxication develop (increased body temperature, chills, fever), it is necessary to take sorbents and antipyretics. That is, the therapy is mainly symptomatic, aimed at relieving the main symptoms of the pathology.

Prevention

Prevention is based primarily on the use of special means against insects, against the bites of gadflies, horseflies. Timely diagnostics are important. It is necessary to avoid being in places where insects live, do not eat outside. In order to prevent complications, a strong allergic reaction, it is necessary to maintain immunity in good condition, in particular, to maintain endurance and good shape. It is important to do physical exercises, eat right and follow the daily routine. It is necessary to consume a sufficient amount of vitamins. It is necessary to drink plenty of fluids. This will allow you to avoid complications in case of a bite, to recover faster.

How to protect yourself from horsefly and gadfly bites?

In order to protect yourself from insect bites, you should not leave anything attractive to them nearby. You should keep sweets, jam, and compotes away. In order not to attract horseflies and gadflies, it is better not to eat anything outside. It is also important not to be in places where there are many insects, where flowers bloom, or where honey is sold. In addition, it is necessary to use special protective equipment that can be purchased at a pharmacy.

Forecast

If a person receives emergency care in a timely manner, the prognosis may be favorable. If anaphylactic, pain shock is not allowed, the bite site heals quickly, leaving no traces. But if emergency care is not provided, a gadfly bite may have serious consequences, even death.