Any time you head outdoors to enjoy summer’s long days and warm nights, you’re likely to be joined by a few creepy crawly party crashers. Read on to find out which insects you’re likely to run into this summer and how to deal with them.
Common Summer Insects
Mosquitoes
Bees
Wasps
Yellow Jackets
Ticks
Spiders
Fire Ants
Insect Bite Treatment
Minor Bites
As soon as you find a new insect bite, wash the area with mild soap and apply ice to reduce swelling. If the bite itches, soothe with over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream, an oral antihistamine such as Benadryl, or Calamine lotion. Though it may be tempting to scratch the bite, avoid it at all costs. Scratching a bite can break the skin and increase your risk of infection. Follow this treatment regimen until the bite has healed. If your symptoms persist more than a week, make an appointment with your physician to create a more aggressive treatment plan and make sure the original bite has not developed into a more serious condition.
Allergic Reactions
While an oral antihistamine such as Benadryl can remedy minor reactions, you should carry an epinephrine auto-injector, or EpiPen, with you at all times if you have an insect allergy. Should an insect bite cause you to go into anaphylactic shock, you may have only a matter of minutes before your condition becomes life-threatening, and an EpiPen can save your life.
Insect-borne Illness
If you experience sudden onset of fever, nausea, headache, muscle pain or a rash after a tick bite, see your physician. This could indicate you’ve contracted one of the tick-borne illnesses commonly found in Arkansas such as Anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis or tularemia, which can typically be treated if caught early.
Insect Bite Prevention
Enjoy the Arkansas outdoors without worrying about insects by wearing insect repellent any time you spend extended time outdoors. If you plan on remaining in one general area, guard it by burning insect-repelling citronella candles. Address an excess of insects such as ticks or mosquitoes around your home by having a local pest control company treat your yard. Always inspect yourself after spending time outside and remove any insects you find.
A happy, healthy summer is a safe summer. Browse through the BHealthy blog to learn more about how you can stay safe, treat common summer ailments and get more healthy living tips.