Fleas bites are characterized by tiny red blotches which are extremely itchy. Fleas bites generally form a line of three bites which helps to distinguish a flea bite from other insect bites. Fleas are so tiny that they appear to the naked eye as tiny black specks. The larvae of the flea resemble a grain of sand. Flea larvae is sensitive to light and therefore are found embedded into the deep fibers of carpets.

Flea bites appear on areas of the human body found closest to the ground; feet, ankles and calves. Another reason why flea bites are most commonly found on the feet and ankles is that these insects bite areas that are exposed. In the summer people tend to wear sandals and other open shoes. Normally socks are not worn with these types of shoes. Fleas will invade beds and mattresses and normally people do not wear socks to bed. However these insects can jump as high as thirteen inches which is an incredible 200 times their actual size. Therefore fleas can jump off their animal hosts or from the floors and carpets of your home and can bite any exposed area of the human body.

Fleas require warm temperatures to survive. Fleas found in colder climates such as Canada and the northern United States are seasonal in nature. The flea season far these climates is from March to October. Unfortunately, flea season is year round for warmer climates. Fleas also strive in damp climates.

Flea bites itch and cause swelling. Sensitive individuals may contract hive-like rashes. Secondary infection can occur due to intense scratching. When flea bites become infected they will fill with fluid. Scratching can also break down skin cells and cause burning. Intense scratching sometimes cause the bite wound to bleed, afterwards a scab will form.

The best cure for flea bites is prevention. Make sure your dogs and cats have flea collars and treat their infestation before the fleas come after you. There are flea powders and flea baths and medication such as frontline to clear up your pet’s problem. A dehumidifier set at 50 will take enough humidity out of your home to sufficiently prevent the breeding of fleas.

Once you have a flea infestation the best way to rid the infestation is to get rid of the fleas. Make sure to clean all surfaces of your home, bedding, clothing, floors, carpets, etc. Empty vacuum cleaner bags after every use (the fleas will live inside). Spray floors, surfaces and bedding, clothing and furniture with a solution of pyrethrin.

Flea bites will normally disappear on their own, but in the case of severe reactions take one or two Benadryl capsules every six hours. You may also require a topical hydrocortisone cream and medication for open cuts and wounds.

We will feel the effects of insect bites because these bugs are actually injecting venom, toxin or other chemical substance into our body which they need to aid in their digestive functioning. Pain, itching, scratching, swelling, and redness are general symptoms of insect bites. These symptoms occur because our bodies are having an allergic reaction to the substance that was injected by the insect in question.

Most allergic reactions to insect bites disappear quickly and are quite harmless, but what reactions you will have depend largely upon how sensitive you are to the insect bites. The mildest types of reactions to insect bites include: a stinging sensation or a rather bothersome itch along with a bit of swelling which generally goes away in a few days. Sometimes the insect bites will produce swollen glands, fever, painful joints and or hives, either immediately or a later on.

Anaphylaxis is the name of the condition given to severe reactions to the toxins from insect bites. Fortunately, very few people take severe reactions to insect bites, but if they do, the symptoms would include: toxic shock, swelling of the face, and difficulty in breathing. The most severe insect bites can come from ticks spreading disease, venomous spiders, bees, hornets, wasps and yellow jackets.

First aid for insect bites and stings

Get out of the line of fire; move away from the insects, get out of the woods, off lawns or anywhere where insects will sting or bite whenever possible.

In case of a sting, you can scrap off the stinger within anything that is straight edged such as a straight razor, plastic credit card, or knife, but do not pull out the stinger it might still have some venom to eject. Wash the area with soap and water.

To reduce the swelling from a sting, apply an ice pack immediately.

In case of a tick, carefully remove the tick with a pair of tweezers, gently pull out and make sure the head comes out. You can also apply adhesive tape to remove the tick. If it remains in the wound seek immediate medical attention.

For the relief of itching from stings and insect bites causes by fleas or chiggers and other relatively harmless insects, you will need some over the counter medication. Benadryl taken six times a day should do the job. Other antihistamines like Tylenol Severe Allergy or chlorpheniramine maleate will work as well.

If the skin is irritated, with a rash and or dermatitis caused by the breaking down of skins cells, a topical hydrocortisone cream such as calamine lotion or a baking soda solution can be used until the symptoms go away.

If you experience any of the following: hives, dizziness, fainting, trouble breathing, open gaping sores (spider bites), muscle and joint pain, shaking, chills, vomiting, cramps, confusion, rapid heartbeat, coma, see a doctor immediately and if you have the 911 service in your area call it immediately as well.

While waiting for medical help, administer any medication the afflicted person is taking for the insect bites. Also take it with you to the hospital so the doctors will know what has been done so far.

Make sure the person is lying on their back with feet raised higher than the torso but if there is any vomiting, or oral bleeding turn the person over onto the side.

Loosen any clothing and cover the person with a blanket. Do not give him or her any liquids.

For respiratory problems, and coughing apply CPR.

South American Bullet ants have the most painful of all ant bites and insects in general. These ant bites are not considered life threatening.

Jack Jumper ant bites of Australia have the potential to kill their prey, humans included.

There are two types of fire ants, which are harmful packing a burning fire -like sting

Red Imported Red Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) is the most aggressive of the two varieties. These ants have a venom pouch containing piperidine alkaloids. The sting from these ant bites are painful, and produce white fluid filled bumps on the skin.

Southern Fire Ants (Solenopsis xyloni) The sting from these ant bites this are not as painful but still causes the same itchiness and blisters.

Ants are used in many parts of the world to control other insect populations. But the carpenter ant, pharaoh ant, and argentine ants, are under government order to be controlled or completely eradicated as the case may be.

Some home remedies for controlling ants and ant bites

The first thing is to ant proof your home, seal up all cracks and crevices and areas where they can get into your home.

You will also want to keep your lawns and shrubbery moved or trimmed.

Ants dislike mint and will stay away from it, therefore plant mint all around the outside of your home.

Treat your window and doorsteps with citronella, peppermint, cinnamon, citrus, or lavender solutions of one teaspoon to one quart of water.

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a non toxic powder that can be spread on window ledges etc to keep out the nasty pests. This product destroys the exoskeleton. Nevertheless, still wear a mask when using this product so to prevent respiratory problems.

You can pour boiling water on the ant hill but this method is risky, the ants will come after you in droves and attack viciously, still you may not get the queen and the colony will persist. This means the risk of ant bites could persist.

People who use rubber latex gloves for a long period of time are most prone to these allergic reactions to condoms. This is attributed to the fact that the gloves are used for longer periods and being thick, need more effective washing to remove chemicals and proteins residue.

As most condoms are made of latex rubber, these allergies indicate that you are allergic to latex rubber. Allergic reactions to condoms or latex start within minutes or hours of exposure. Sometimes, a person may develop allergic reactions to latex even if there had been no such previous reactions.

There are three levels of allergic reactions to condoms; mild reactions include itchiness, burning and drying while medium reactions constitute the same symptoms as previously, only thing is that they last longer, are more severe and can spread to other parts of the body and severe allergic reactions to condoms include breathing difficulties, hives and possible life-threatening anaphylactic shock. At times, what is considered to be allergic reactions to condoms turn out to be something else that is worsened by the use of condoms. So if there are persistent or painful reactions around or on the genitals, it is better to consult the doctor to find out what you are reacting to.

Those allergic to condoms have to avoid contact with latex which is possible by switching to using non-latex condoms, dental dams and gloves for safe sex. There is a wide range of non latex condoms, dental dams and gloves made from polyurethane for you to choose from for safe sex. These condoms not only prevent allergic reactions, but don’t have a rubbery smell and conduct body heat better to make them feel thinner. This induces better sex.

And it is better to avoid your overall exposure to latex in your everyday life as increased exposure leads to increase in allergies. Symptoms for allergic reactions to condoms constitute a rash on the penis or genital skin, accompanied by redness, blistering and itching. These symptoms develop within 6 to 48 hours after using the condom. There are some condoms having spermicide, and in some people, it is the allergy to spermicide that induces allergic reaction in the body, and not the latex rubber.

It has been found out that the number of people who die from severe allergic reactions to bee stings is more than the number of people who suffer from snake bites. However, it is only a few people who suffer from allergic reactions to bee stings who actually suffer from fatal reactions that lead to possible death.

It is when the immune system of the body develops antibodies and other disease fighting cells in the body, in response to an allergen that an allergic reaction develops. Here, the allergen is the bee sting. Chemicals are released by the antibodies that injure surrounding cells to cause the physical symptoms of an allergic reaction. Sometimes histamine is released, which may affect the skin, mucous gland or membrane or smooth muscle cells.

Sometimes there may be life threatening allergic reactions that occur without any other symptoms of allergy. Usually the first sting does not produce severe reactions; multiple stings do. It is someone who has severe allergic reactions to bee stings that experiences extreme symptoms to a single bee sting.

The basic symptoms of this allergy start with dry cough wherein the eye starts itching and swelling. After some time, the patient starts sneezing and wheezing, to develop itching hives. These symptoms are indications of a dangerous condition, anaphylaxis which proceed to produce sudden weakness, tightness in the chest, difficulty in breathing, very low blood pressure, shock and loss of consciousness. Those suffering from anaphylactic shock should receive immediate medical treatment.

The symptoms that follow a bee sting make it possible for one to diagnose bee sting allergies. Epinephrine injection is given to the patient suffering from anaphylactic shock to stimulate the heart and relax the airways. Sometimes this injection is given with an antihistamine injection to counteract the histamine that is produced in the immune cells.

If you suffer from allergic reactions to bee stings, avoid situations where you may get stung. If you have to go to such locations, carry a self-injection kit with antihistamine tablets for emergency treatment. People who are severely allergic to bee stings have to undergo desensitization programs where bee venom injections are administered in increasing doses till the body shows tolerance to the venom. This should be done by an allergy specialist, and may take somewhere between 15 to 20 weeks for the body to develop immunity. This is then followed with monthly booster shots.

Lyme Disease is transmitted by deer tick bites and must be clinically diagnosed. It presents itself as a body rash and has three stages. The length of the disease is contingent upon how long the person has been infected. Young children will be treated with amoxicillin; everyone older than eight years of age will be treated with doxycycline.

Deer tick bites will also transmit a disease called Ehrlichiosis. Victims of this disease sometimes experience a rash over the upper body (trunk). But more frequently suffer from chills, shaking, headaches and fever. The treatment for Ehrlichiosis is doxycycline; chloramphenicol and rifampin

Rocky Mountain Spotted fever is transmitted by the Rocky Mountain wood and American Dog tick bites. This disease commonly affects young children and seniors. The disease manifests itself as a spotted rash, with associated symptoms of fever. The tick bites are prevalent from April to September. Patients are treated with doxycycline for a period of seven to ten days. The disease can become fatal if left untreated.

Tularemia also known as Rabbit Disease is transferred to humans by either tick bites or some sort of contact with sick rabbits. This disease is also a virus. Type A affects humans and animals alike in North America, while the Type B variety is more prevalent in Europe and Asia. The common symptoms are fever, headaches chills and muscle pain. Tick bites will become ulcerated. There are also signs of enlarged lymph nodes. The disease can be fatal if left untreated.

Clinical diagnosis involves various tests; especially an antibody test. The medication most often prescribed is streptomycine, while doxycycline is also used. Currently research is being done in the USA to create a vaccine.

Colorado Tick Fever is not a serious tick disorder. However patients afflicted by these tick bites will come down with flu-like symptoms as well. The symptoms of eye pain, muscle pain, chills, headaches, fever, vomiting and nausea last from three to five days. The treatment for this disease is to relieve the flu symptoms.

Relapsing Fever is a sneaky disease. There are bouts of fever that lasts about three days. At the time of the infection, there is also flu like symptoms: sweating, vomiting, chills, and headaches. They all go away. The afflicted individual appears to be well and then the fever and symptoms start over again. If left untreated after several outbreaks of this disease, the symptoms will develop into seizures, pneumonia, hepatitis, coma and even death. Once again doxycyline is used to treat this tick disease.

Tick Paralysis occurs when there is not only a tick bite but a part of the tick remains under the skin. If left untreated, the toxin injected from the bite may cause lung problems. The first aid step for this treatment is carefully removing the tick from the skin. The condition will clear up shortly after the tick has been removed.

Tick bites and their associated diseases are very serious and in many cases can lead to death. Prevention is always the best medicine. Ticks are known to inhabit woody and mountainous areas. Remember to use tick repellants and wear light colored protective clothing so that ticks can be seen on your cloths, but cannot penetrate the skin. If you have dogs or cats, or even pet rabbits have them treated with medication if you notice they have a tick infestation.

First Aid for Tick Removal

To remove a tick, you can use tweezers and grasp the tick but never squeeze. Be sure to grab hold of it as close to the skin as possible and gently and slowing pull it out. You can remove ticks by placing scotch or duct tape over the tick and pulling it off. You can also use tick shampoo. Check for any visual signs of the tick remaining in the wound. You may need to use a magnifying glass to see them. If the head is still in the wound, you must see a doctor immediately. Wash around the tick bite with soap and water. If you notice any flu like symptoms after tick removal contact your doctor without fail.

We are concerned about spider bites because some spiders release venom which is toxic to humans and in some cases the venom in spider bites will kill. The varieties of spiders which do not release venom are: Hackled orb-Weavers, Holarchaeidae, Uloboridae, and Mesothelae.

The spider’s prey is mostly insects, even other spiders, therefore generally speaking spiders do not have mouths big enough to pierce through human skin. Another factor to look at is that even if a human has been affected by spider bites, most spiders do not produce enough venom to do any serious harm.

There are two categories of venomous spider bites. The neurotoxic variety attack the nervous system but how the venom affects the human nervous system does depend upon the spider.

• Lactrodectus spiders (Widow Spider) release a chemical compound called lactrotoxin which in turn produces a condition known as lactrodectism. This condition will release calcium ions that will trigger the neurotransmitter known as acetycholine. Once humans have been infected by the spider bites they will experience breathing problems and painful cramping.

• In the case of the Australian funnel-web spider and mouse spider, their bite will stimulate neuron sodium pathways that interfere with human bodily function.

• Spider bites from the Brazilian Wandering Spider will range from tiny painful pinpoint pricks to deathly envenomation due to level of serotonin released into the body.

Neucotic venom is the toxin produced by spiders in the Sicariidae family. The venom breaks down the skin cells with symptoms ranging from minor localized irritation, severe skin lesions, kidney failure, and even death. Spider bites from members of this family can produce ulcers on the skin tissue causing deep scaring that may take years to heal properly. The ulcers are itchy and painful and gangrene can set in. The venom can spread throughout the entire body within minutes of the bite.

The best treatment will be to act immediately upon realizing you have been bitten by a spider. Get emergency care from a professional. You will need to get to a hospital in hope to find qualified personnel with the expertise to diagnosis and treat spider bites. Where ever possible bring the spider in to the hospital with you. This will aid in the treatment plan and reduce misdiagnosis which no doubt could lead to severe consequences.

When the spider bites are minor in nature, treatment start by first letting the wound bled out to release the toxins, if and when the wound is large enough, applying an ice pack to reduce any swelling, applying an antiseptic to clean the exterior area of the wound and finally applying a topical ointment such as aloe vera to reduce pain.

Unfortunately no tried and true treatment is available for necrotic bites from venomous spiders. The treatments in use at present include; elevation of the affected area, application of ice packs, administering tetanus shots, antivenom agents, antihistamines, various antibiotics, oxygen, vosodilators, electric shock treatments, curettage and surgery.

The most common skin Scleroderma allergic reactions are swelling of hands and toes, generalized itching, thickening, hardening and tightness of skin, change of the color of the hands and feet with cold exposure and sores over fingertips. The other Scleroderma allergic reactions include fatigue, heartburn, shortness of breath, arthritis, dryness of the eyes and mouth, cough and high blood pressure.

Scleroderma is basically a rare disease that occurs in 10 - 20 people amongst a million people in a year. Though people of all races can get Scleroderma, about 75% of the victims are women. Scleroderma can occur at any age but is most common in people between the ages of 30 and 60 years old.
The exact causes of Scleroderma are not known; however it is known to be an autoimmune disease. This is where the body’s natural immune system does not actually behave normally; instead of fighting off infections from bacteria and virus, the immune system of a victim of Scleroderma attacks its own body.

With this, there is usually some damage to the blood vessels of the body. And in response to this blood vessel damage, specific proteins called collagen are produced to repair the damage to blood vessels through fibrosis or the formation of diffuse scars. There is usually an excess deposit of collagen in the skin that induces the skin changes associated with Scleroderma. The fibrosis of the blood vessels usually leads to the derangement of internal organs.

The diagnosis of Scleroderma allergic reactions is rather difficult, and can be done by specialists in autoimmune diseases. This diagnosis is based on a thorough history and physical examination of the victim along with some laboratory studies. Not only are blood and urine tests conducted, specialized lung and heart evaluations are required to evaluate the involvement of internal organs in Scleroderma.

With the diagnosis of Scleroderma, treatment can be started. There is basically no cure for Scleroderma as it is a chronic disease that requires medical therapy for many years. Usually organ specific treatments are used of treating Scleroderma with combinations of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant medicine. Sometimes other medication is used to control skin and internal organ problems and at times, chemotherapy may be used to control lung problems.

When taking niacin, it is also important to follow a healthy diet and maintain exercise as it helps in controlling cholesterol levels of the body. It is always important to take niacin with a full stomach to lessen the probability of a stomach upset. There are some people who suffer allergic reactions to niacin; so if you feel you have some difficulty in breathing, swelling of your lips, tongue or hives and closing of the throat, it is better to stop taking niacin and seek immediate medical help.

Other allergic reactions to niacin which may affect some people are yellowing of the skin or eyes, chest pain accompanied by irregular heartbeat, unexplained muscle pain, weakness or aching and a flu-like feeling with loss of appetite and nausea. Dizziness, faintness and cloudy vision are additional allergic reactions to niacin which have been recorded. There are people who also experience stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, gas and nausea as allergic reactions to niacin. A feeling of warmth and flushing of the neck, ears and face with itching and tingling sensations are also considered to be allergic reactions to niacin. Some doctors suggest taking some aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug before taking niacin to prevent these reactions which tend to lessen with time.

There is also a possibility of other allergic reactions to niacin, which are not listed here. It is better to consult your doctor about any side effects or allergic reactions you may incur while taking niacin that seems to be rather unusual or bothersome to you. The first thing you have to do when you think you are suffering from allergic reactions to niacin is to discontinue taking niacin, visit the doctor and find out what treatment your doctor offers you for your allergic reactions.

Taking large doses of niacin can result in liver damage and other health related problems; so it is necessary to be under the guidance of your doctor when taking niacin. This is very important so that the doctor will be able to monitor the functioning of your liver and ensure that you don’t suffer from the possible allergic reactions to niacin.

The first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of love bites is the traditional teenage hickeys. Young love, fresh and new, experimenting, showing love, or marking territory “she is mine.” Whatever the case may be, a hickey is a minor hematoma; a discoloration of the skin caused by the bursting of blood vessels under the derma as a result of forcefully kissing, sucking or biting. The bruising usually lasts up to two weeks then goes away on its own. However, if you absolutely want to try to hide it or make it go away faster, you can:

• Hide it with clothing.

• Cover it up with make up; green tint works best on the reddish bluish bruise.

• Place an icepack, cool compress ( ice in a towel), on the site for about twenty minutes, remove and repeat a second time.

• Freeze a spoon and apply pressure to the site. You will have to do this several times, as the spoon will no doubt warm up fast.

• Lightly brush love bites with a toothbrush, or any surface like a comb that will move or shake the skin. This vigorous activity will stimulate the blood cells and break up the clot beneath. Stimulate the area for about 18 minutes then add a cold compress and repeat action if necessary.

• The coin method involves taking your fingers and spreading the area as far a part as you can then take a coin and vigorously scrape the bruise. By doing so you will be moving the blood lodged underneath the skin. This method might be slightly uncomfortable but requires less explaining. For some teenagers it is less embarrassing justifying scrapes on your neck rather than love bites.

You love toddlers and they love you. Sometimes they even bite. Fortunately these little love bites rarely break the skin.

However, love bites from humans may are may not be loving but they can be more serious. Human bites can carry more infection than animal bites because of the bacteria found in the mouth and human saliva. The transmission of viruses such as aids and osteomyelitis (bone or bone marrow infection) is also funneled through human bites.

Even if someone scrapes their knuckles across another person’s teeth in an altercation is considered a bite if the skin has been broken.

The chomping type of bite; biting a finger can look relatively innocuous, but can damage the tendons close to the surface of the finger.

A bite to the head is especially problematic when young children are involved. Their scalps and foreheads are thin and the risk of infection from the tooth bite should not be taken lightly. Seek medical attention before self medicating.

First Aid for Human Bites:

• Apply pressure to stop the bleeding

• Cleanse the wound with soap and water

• Apply an antibiotic

• Bandage the wound

• Seek medical help

• Get a tetanus shot if you haven’t had one in the previous five years

• Certain bites may require plastic surgery.

Hand wounds from bites can be very dangerous, bacteria can enter the wound site and lodge very deep inside, medical intervention may be required. Surgical drainage of fluid may be required. A bad infection left unattended may cause permanent damage. Love bites, unfortunately, can prove rather troublesome.