Edema after a bite of midges: what to do, treatment

Having found a trace on the body of a bite of midges, do not wait until there are various symptoms such as itching, swelling of the tissues, redness of the skin around the affected area or more dangerous allergic and toxic reactions. Act immediately, applying measures aimed at preventing unpleasant and dangerous consequences.

So what do you need to do with swelling from bite of midges ? The measures described below will prevent the development of severe allergic reactions in themselves or their loved ones:

• To start, the place of bite should be washed with clean water to remove the remnants of poisonous substances from the wound and pathogens that are likely to be nearby.
• Water is of little help in fighting bacteria, so it is better to strengthen the cleaning effect by using soap without various additives. Such a soap will not intensify the allergic reaction, besides, its good antibacterial properties are known.
• Purified with water and soap, the skin should be soaked with a tissue. It is good to dry, not rub. It is only time to scratch the place of bite, and it will be difficult to stop.
• Dry skin at the bite site needs to be treated with an antiseptic (alcohol with water, a solution of soda or salt, manganese, furacilin, preparations "Chlorhexidine", "Miramistin", "Boric acid", etc.). By the way, even surgeons in clinics advise such a way to combat edema after a bite of the midges, like repeatedly lubricating the affected area with chlorhexidine, not allowing it to dry out drastically.
• An excellent prevention of puffiness from a bite of midges is the use of antihistamines. It does not matter if the victim has had an allergic reaction before, antiallergic drugs will not cause harm, especially from a single use, but will help to avoid unpleasant symptoms. The simplest budgetary funds and their more expensive analogues (Diazolin, Loratadin, Claritin, Zirtek, Tavegil, Suprastin, etc.) will do.
• Another simple way to get rid of the swelling of the tissues, usually used to prevent the appearance of traces from bruises and treatment of bites of bees or wasps, is cold. To reduce the severity of the edema is suitable as a piece of ice, and any cold to the touch of an object (for example, a bottle of water or a metal spoon), which must be applied to the bite for several minutes. If a person is resting in nature and he did not have anything cold at hand, you can just press the place of the bite with your finger and wait about 10-15 minutes. If the swelling is large, in its place you can impose an elastic bandage.

Usually such measures bring relief, but if the victim (or his relatives) sees that the symptoms still appear and build up, without effective drug or alternative treatment in this case can not do.

What do doctors offer on this score? In addition to cold, a solution of antiseptics and squeezing the area of edema (if possible), the doctor can prescribe the application of ointments that antiallergic (Czinovit cream, Gistan ointment, Elidel cream, Fenistil-gel) and anti-inflammatory effect . As a remedy for inflammation of the edema used hormonal ointments: hydrocortisone, prednisolone, "Fenkarol", "Advantan", "Trimistin", etc. But with such funds you need to be very careful if you need to treat the bite in the face and eyes. When you bite into the eye area you need to get corticosteroids in the form of eye ointments, and not those used to treat skin diseases.

If there is a suspicion that the wound was infected, i.e. At the site of the bite there is a noticeable local temperature increase, pus appears and other signs of severe inflammation, it's not enough to just deal with antiseptics and local anti-inflammatory drugs. More effective will be ointments with antibiotics: gentamicin, erythromycin, Levomekol, Levosin, Fitsidin, and others.

With extensive swelling and the appearance of general reactions, in addition to local treatment, systemic therapy is prescribed. This is a method of antihistamines (in severe cases such drugs are administered intravenously or intramuscularly, which provides a quick effect), the use of corticosteroids (tablets and injections), the use of decongestants from the category of diuretics (Mannitol, Mannitol, Furosemide). In severe cases, diuretics are given intravenously.

Physiotherapeutic treatment in the treatment of bite of Simuliidae is used extremely rarely, when it comes to severe allergic reactions. The purpose of this treatment is to stimulate the recovery reactions in the body and nonspecific desensitization. Along with the intake of vitamins, it is called to normalize the work of the immune system (immunotherapy).

Sessions of physiotherapy (and in this case, the most relevant drug electrophoresis and darsonvalization) can be prescribed after an acute period of the disease, when the symptoms of allergies are somewhat settled. After all, the goal of immunotherapy is to prevent new allergic reactions.

Effective drugs

Allergy is an immune-inflammatory process that is quite possible with the bites of various insects, the saliva of which contains allergens. Edema from a bite of midges is considered a common occurrence, as there is not only damage to tissues, but also the introduction of foreign substances into the wound cavity, which cause the immune system to become more active.

On the question, what to remove the swelling from the bite of midges, there is no definite answer. After all, antiseptics and cold or squeezing of tissues do not always produce the desired result. And then stronger medications come: help with ointments with antibiotics, corticosteroids, antihistamines. Sometimes only a complex use of them helps a person recover after a banal, but not a safe bite of midges.

We will not delve into the nuances of treating common symptoms in severe cases of allergy to bites, because they are in the competence of specialists. Let's talk about the drugs used for the local treatment of inflammation and allergies, which are ointments appointed from the edema after a bite of midges.

Let's start with antihistamines for external use. One of the most popular is "Fenistil-gel, the active substance of which (dimetindine maleate) is an antagonist of histamine receptors, i.e. Inhibits the release of histamine, which is considered the main mediator of allergic inflammatory reactions.

The drug is actively used for insect bites. The effect of its use can be expected in a few minutes.

"Fenistil-gel can be used in the treatment of patients of different age groups, including newborns. True to 2 years of age, such treatment should be carried out only with the permission and under the supervision of the attending physician.

The drug is applied to the bite site 2 to 4 times a day. It is recommended to lightly rub it into the skin. Care should be taken when applying the drug to large areas of the skin. With multiple bites, severe itching and inflammation of the tissues, it is recommended additionally taking oral peroral antihistamines.

The application of the gel can be accompanied by skin irritation due to the content of propylene glycol and benzalkonium chloride. There may also be a feeling of dry skin, burning, manifestations of allergies to the components of the drug (the appearance of rashes, urticaria, increased itching and swelling). To avoid this, the drug is not prescribed to patients with hypersensitivity to the components of the medication. This is the only contraindication to the use of "Fenistil-gel."

To combat the severe inflammatory process, which is a consequence of the saliva allergy, corticosteroids are used. When swelling from mite bite doctors can appoint a one-percent "Hydrocortisone ointment."

At the site of the bite, it should be applied 2 or 3 times a day in a thin layer, avoiding the use on large areas of the skin. The course of treatment with ointment is not more than 20 days.

Hormonal drugs are not the best choice for treating children, because they can suppress the function of the adrenal cortex. The drug is undesirable to use at the age of 2 years, and children 2-12 years old should undergo treatment under the supervision of a specialist. The course of treatment should not exceed 14 days.

Unlike the "Fenistil-gel", allowed during pregnancy, "Hydrocortisone ointment for future mothers and cramping women can not be prescribed. Contraindications for use are also hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, ulcerative lesions on the skin at the site of ointment application, infected wounds (bacterial, viral and fungal infections), skin tuberculosis, external manifestations of syphilis. And also rosacea, acne, tumor processes on the skin. Caution should be observed for people with diabetes and tuberculosis.

Side effects of the ointment are identical to the above-described drug, but with prolonged use, the hormonal agent can provoke the development of secondary infectious skin lesions and atrophic processes in it.

Another interesting drug, which is often used for insect bites, is the cream "Elidel". This drug does not belong to antihistamines, although it has some anti-allergic effect and effectively removes inflammation, but it can not be attributed to hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs. The active substance of the cream (pimecrolimus) is considered a calcineurin inhibitor, it reduces the local immune response, without significantly affecting the systemic.

The use of this remedy is indicated in case if hormone treatment is inadmissible due to intolerance of cortecoids. A medicine is also suitable for the treatment of edema from bite of midges on the face and eyelids, as well as in the genital area, bypassing the areas of mucous membranes.

Apply the cream on the affected area twice a day with a thin layer. The course of treatment should not be long.

The drug is not recommended for use in children under 2 years of age. Although this is not a contraindication. Cream for pregnant women and nursing mothers is also not prohibited, but it is still worth consulting with a doctor.

Do not prescribe a cream for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children of the first 3 months of life, with tumoral and dysplastic processes on the skin, if there is a suspicion of oncology, with increased sensitivity to the components of the drug. Do not use to treat infected wounds.

Caution should be observed for patients with immunodeficiency, Netherton syndrome, systemic erythroderma

When using the cream, there are possible side effects such as irritation of the skin at the site of application, accompanied by redness and burning, the appearance of herpetic eruptions and the development of secondary infections, allergic and anaphylactic reactions, enlarged lymph nodes, changes in skin pigmentation, increased sensitivity to alcohol.

When you infect the bite of insects for medicinal purposes, ointments with antibiotics are used. One of such ointments is "Levosin", the antibacterial effect of which is provided by chloramphenicol and sulfadimethoxin. Methyluracil in the composition of the ointment performs a regenerative function, promotes rapid healing of the wound, stimulates local and humoral immunity, and trimecaine is a local anesthetic that helps with itching and pain. In the complex the preparation has anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous, antibacterial, analgesic and necrolytic action.

Ointment is applied to the area of purulent wounds with the help of napkins. They are impregnated with a medicinal compound and not very tightly applied to the site of the bite. Slightly warmed ointment can be injected into the cavity of the wound with a syringe.

The drug is not used for hypersensitivity to it, eczema, psoriasis, fungal skin diseases. For the treatment of children and pregnant women, the drug is used only in severe cases.

During the application of the "Levosin" ointment, it is possible to expect the appearance of allergic reactions, up to Quincke's edema. No other symptoms were reported.

As you can see, any drugs, even those that are intended for topical application, have their own characteristics and contraindications, which must be considered. Therefore, it will be better if the choice of medicine remains in the competence of the doctor, not the patient.

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Alternative treatment

Recipes of alternative medicine always help out when you do not have the right medicines at hand. The bite of midge people get mainly on the nature, far from home and pharmacies, and to prevent the appearance of edema it is desirable to have medical products with you. But do many of them have at least a first aid kit with an antiseptic?

During the rest on the nature, the bugs that are bitten by the bite will be treated with herbs. Looking around you can always find one of the medicinal plants: peppermint, plantain, dandelion, and also leaves of bird cherry or parsley. To prevent the appearance of swelling, it is sufficient to apply a previously mashed leaf of one of the plants to the bite site, fixing it with a bandage or any improvised means (a piece of cloth, a handkerchief, a soft band, etc.). Drying from the body temperature, the leaf should be changed to fresh.

At home, you can use a meat grinder or blender and make a gruel from fresh leaves. The wound is applied either to the gruel itself, wrapped in gauze, or squeezing out the juice from it and moistening a piece of clean cloth, which is applied to the bite site.

Such a medicine as a fresh onion can also be with those who went out into nature on a picnic. To the place of the appearance of the edema from the bite of the midges, it is necessary to attach or bandage a cut onion, which will be both an antibiotic and a decongestant.

House of a bulb is better to make a gruel, wrap in gauze and put on the bitten part of the body. Either use gruel from grated potatoes or chopped cabbage leaf, which are treated in the same way as onion gruel.

If someone at home or on a walk turns out to be a balm "Golden Star" (it was also called "Zvezdochka" at the Union), you can grease him with a bite. The drug has a good soothing effect, so it provides a reduction in pain and itching in the affected area.

Than it is still possible to grease the bitten place for the prevention of occurrence of a strong edema:

• foaming with a small amount of water soap and apply the formed foam to the place of bite,
• stir vinegar with water 1: 1 and lubricate the resulting solution with swollen tissues, or apply a cloth moistened with a wound to the wound,
• make a bandage of cloth moistened with a solution of soda (1 tsp soda for 200 ml of water),
• to help with bites, small wounds and cuts in children and adults can come menthol or mint toothpaste, which you need to thinly spread on the wound surface and around it; for the same purpose, you can use a balm for oral hygiene.

With a bite in the eye area, the choice of alternative treatment is limited, because the above recipes can only irritate the delicate tissues of the organ of vision. In this case, the application of ice is good, as well as a compress of freshly squeezed parsley juice or chilled tea leaves (preferably green).

It should be understood that local treatment of edema will not give the desired result unless you take an antihistamine that reduces the severity of an allergic reaction. If alternative recipes do not help, then you need to seek the help of traditional medicine, and this again anti-allergic drug, anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics if necessary.

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Homeopathy with insect bites

Mosquitoes homeopathy helps with swelling and itching of a bite? I must say that many people, disillusioned with traditional treatment, have gone over to the side of homeopathy, considering it to be safer for the body, despite the fact that in the composition of homeopathic medicines there are often alarming components, for example poisons. But treatment like this has good results even with insect bites.

The main drugs that homoeopaths are prescribed most often in such situations are Apis (a medicine based on the bee extract) and Ledum (Swamp Lamb's extract). Ledum can be applied orally on 3-5 grains, but you can also take an external remedy with the same name. The drug alleviates bite symptoms.

Apis is indicated when a strong allergic reaction to a bite is detected in the patient, down to anaphylactic. The usual therapeutic dosage in this case is 3-5 grains.

Such preparations as Belladonna and Hypericum are considered useful for insect bites.

With severe itching, homeopathic medicines Caladium (extract of the diffenbafia bloody plant) and Edas-402 help at the site of the bite and edema of the tissues. The latter is a complex anti-inflammatory drug, in which we find belladonna, bryonia, lepidum, and rus toxicodendron. It must be applied three times a day, rubbing into the place of bite.

As you can see, first aid preparations in homeopathy are sufficient, but it is not worth taking them in a complex way. It is enough to choose one suitable medicine.

Doctors-homeopaths say that with the right selection of homeopathic medicines, painful and dangerous symptoms can be alleviated considerably, but they do not exclude the parallel use of antihistamines.

By the way, among the preparations of homeopathy there are many such means. These are Apis, Sulfur 6, Belladonna, Rus toxicodendron, Alumina, Calcaria carbonate, Arsenic iodate and some others. The fact is that one homeopathic remedy usually has a whole list of beneficial effects, so it can be used to treat various pathologies and conditions. It is important to choose the preparation itself and its dosage taking into account the constitutional features of the patient's body and its psycho-emotional status.