As a beautiful summer day ends, you remember that itch that interrupts a pleasant conversation overlooking the sunset and spoils your evening evening enjoyment, right? With hot weather, everyone who pulls on shorts and short-sleeved shirts and spends time outdoors is bound to feel that uncomfortable feeling. We will talk about insect bites with internal medicine specialist Dr Ferhat Çetin.
Why do we experience insect bites more often in the summer months?
Because our country is located in the subtropical climate zone, we have a rich diversity of life in both urban and rural areas. Many insect and fly species, some of which are unique to our geography and some of which are widespread around the world, also take their place in this diversity. The hot climate that comes with the summer months brings a period of reproduction and spread in the life cycle of these creatures.
Are there any poisonous insect species in Turkey?
Although when dangerous insect bites are mentioned, the Amazon basin or Southeast Asian swamps that we see on television come to mind, poisonous insect species that cause severe conditions that can result in limb loss and even death are rare in our country. is available though. Generally, poisoning is not observed in insect stings in our country, except for the yellow scorpion in the Aegean region, the black scorpion found in Southeastern Anatolia, and the Black Widow and Monk spiders found in Central Anatolia, Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia, which are poisonous in themselves. The main problem is complaints due to allergic responses and secondary infections that may occur in the wound area.
How do we know whether the biting insect is poisonous?
Determining whether a spider or scorpion is one of the species mentioned above can be confusing for an amateur observer. Therefore, rather than focusing on the insect, it is more important to examine the changes occurring at the bite site and on the body. Regardless of the type of insect, there may be mild pain, redness, itching, and a swelling no larger than a lentil in the bite area. If these findings increase exaggeratedly; If there are symptoms such as unbearable pain, dark red discoloration shifting towards purple, unstoppable bleeding in the bite area, swelling larger than the size of a coin, it is necessary to consult the nearest health institution. Bite Afterwards, fever, palpitations, low blood pressure that will make you feel faint, darkening in the eyes, difficulty in seeing, swelling of the lips and under the eyes despite being bitten elsewhere, neurological complaints such as headache, double vision, all kinds of respiratory distress and shortness of breath are also alarms to go to the hospital. are the findings. If possible, it is a good precaution to keep the biting insect or a good resolution photo of the insect so that you can show it to the doctor when you go to the hospital in case of an emergency.
Is it true that mosquitoes and other insects tend to bite certain people more? ?
Although it is not scientifically proven, observations have shown that especially light-skinned people, pregnant women and those with blood type O are bitten by insects more frequently. It is known that insects are more attracted to people who sweat excessively, in the hours after exercise, in the presence of overweight or obesity, and in cases of high uric acid, lactic acid, ammonia and alcohol in the blood. Wearing dark-coloured clothing may increase the risk of being bitten because mosquitoes are sensitive to heat.
There is also the issue of ticks. What makes tick bites special?
Ticks have always existed in these lands. He lived and lives by biting and drinking the blood of both humans and animals. But it owes its bad reputation to the media coverage of a group of diseases with very cool names, which are caused by various microbes carried in its saliva. Look at these names; Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Tularemia, Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountains Fever, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis... These diseases are not direct poisoning caused by ticks, but systemic diseases caused by various microbes and viruses carried by ticks.
So what to do against tick bites?
First of all, when picnicking in areas with a history of disease, it is a good precaution to choose areas where biological or chemical measures have been taken against ticks. If you have a hiking plan or a picnic in places with no known history of spraying, the basic precaution would be to wear long socks and long trousers, and use insect repellent sprays that are effective against ticks. After these trips, we returned home. At birth, family members should mutually visually examine each other, and especially areas that the person may have difficulty seeing on his own, such as the back, armpit, and between the legs, should be checked.
Any insect with its head buried in the skin should be considered a tick until proven otherwise. The golden rule in case of tick bite is to go to the hospital. Due to the anatomical feature of the head, there is a possibility that some parts of the tick may remain under the skin while unconsciously trying to remove it. However, this process is done easily and painlessly within seconds by a healthcare professional who is experienced in tick removal. By following up with a blood count after a tick bite, blood cell disorders, which are among the early findings due to these factors, can be detected. After the bite, the person should be closely monitored at home for symptoms such as fever, headache, skin rashes, and changes in consciousness.
Are there similar disease transmissions from other flies and insects?
Many insect species, especially mosquitoes, may carry viruses and microbes that do not make them sick, but can cause illness if transmitted to humans. Examples of this are mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, Zika fever, and dengue fever. There may also be secondary infections acquired from the skin opened as a result of insect bites. Traumas such as scratching or wounds left dirty without timely intervention can lead to skin infections called cellulitis, furunculitis, subcutaneous abscess, erysipelas, erysipelas, phlebitis.
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