Swelling and redness are typical symptoms of an insect bite. Inflammation is especially important when scratching the insect bite. Invading bacteria then initiate inflammatory processes. An inflamed insect bite should be treated by a doctor as severe conditions are possible. Read all about insect bites and inflammation here.
Insect bite: inflammation with consequences
Inflammation after an insect bite (for example, an inflamed mosquito bite) is mainly caused by those scratching the itchy puncture site. Especially children can not suppress the scratching and therefore have more often than adults inflamed insect bites. Scratching creates open wounds that allow bacteria to invade and cause insect bite inflammation. But even through the insect bite itself can cause inflammation.
An insect bite inflammation is characterized by the fact that pus is seen at the injection site and the lymph nodes of the affected limb or neck are swollen. In addition, the swelling, pain and redness at the puncture site are more severe than in a normal response to the puncture. An inflamed insect bite may cause the following clinical pictures later:
- Impetigo (superficial dermatitis)
- Phlegmon (inflammation of connective tissue)
- Folliculitis (hair root inflammation)
- Lymphangitis (lymphitis, “blood poisoning”)
Insect bite inflammation should always be treated by a doctor!
Blood poisoning after insect bite
When an insect bite (such as a mosquito bite) is inflamed, it can cause blood poisoning. Doctors speak of sepsis. In every sepsis, pathogens (usually bacteria) in the blood are detectable. In addition, the body responds to the infection with, among other things, fever, increased heart rate and altered breathing.
Although it is rare for insect stings to be blood poisoning, it should not be underestimated. There is a danger to your life with every sepsis! If there is a suspicion of blood poisoning from mosquito bites, wasp stings or other insect bites, the patient must be taken to hospital immediately. There he is monitored and subjected to various tests. This includes a blood test to detect the pathogens in the blood and to find out which medicines are most effective. As a rule, sepsis is triggered by bacteria. Accordingly, the patient is treated with antibiotics. These are medicines that either inhibit or kill bacteria in their multiplication. You can at one Insect bite inflammation be life-saving with subsequent blood poisoning.