Very often insect bites cause swelling, redness and itching at the injection site. The swelling may vary, depending on which insect has stabbed and how sensitive the body is to the stitch. Here you can read all you need to know about insect bites: swelling.
Insect bites: Swelling as a typical symptom
One of the most common symptoms is swelling after insect bites: The tissue at the injection site and in the surrounding area swells more or less. The swelling is a reaction of the body to the insect venom: The toxins release so-called inflammatory mediators in the body. They make the small blood vessels (capillaries) more permeable to different molecules, cells and fluids. In this way, the immune system of the body is enabled to repair the changes at the injection site. The leakage of water from the capillaries into the surrounding tissue causes the swelling. Depending on which insect has stung and with which intensity the body reacts to the sting and the poison, differences in the swelling are evident: For example, a mosquito bite swelling may express itself differently than a bee sting swelling.
Insect bites: swelling after mosquito bites
A mosquito bite swelling occurs because the body reacts allergic to certain proteins in the saliva of the mosquito: in about three out of four people immediately forms a wheal at the injection site. The swelling and redness disappear after a few hours to days. In the further course, around one in two affected persons produces a papule. It feels rough and gnarled and corresponds to a late allergic reaction to salivary whites.
By the way: A brake stitch swelling is similar to a swelling after a mosquito bite.
Insect bites: swelling after bee or wasp sting
A bee and wasp sting swelling is characterized by the fact that it develops very quickly after the sting. Characteristic is also a redness in the center of the swelling. It is caused by substances in the poison of the bee, wasp, hornet or bumblebee.
If it is a normal, localized response to the insect bite, the swelling will not exceed 10 centimeters in diameter and will largely recede within 24 hours. There is an increased local reaction to an insect bite if you notice that the swelling is over ten centimeters and persists for several days. Then you should see a doctor.
This also applies to an insect venom allergy as well as occurring in the mouth or throat Insect bites: swelling The mucous membranes in the throat and throat can cause respiratory problems and in the worst case lead to suffocation! Call an emergency doctor immediately!