It is best to know that babies are also vulnerable to bug bites, so we need to chart the different types of bug bites and their pictures to identify those and how to treat them.
Getting a bug bite can be a frightening experience, especially when you don't know anything about it. These little creatures can leave you with that red, throbbing welt, and a hard lump on your skin.
There is nothing to worry about and panic about. Most bug bites and stings come from common insects which are harmless. Their bites would heal quickly.
However, some bug bites, like of fire ants, wasps, and bees, can trigger grave allergic reactions and intense pain. Other insects, like poisonous spider bites, require quick medical attention.
Everyone can be a victim of bug bites, adults and children alike. Bugs can even bite babies, obviously. A chart of these different types of bug bites may help us identify each of them.
Types and chart of different bug bites
Below are some notable types of identified bug bites that you may know and see in the chart. These bug bites are the most common type children can experience.
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Bed Bugs bite
Bed bugs are tiny, reddish brown, bloodsuckers, and wingless insects. These bites usually heal without any treatment in 1 to 2 weeks.
These bugs are known insects that do not carry diseases. However, different bed bug bites might cause an allergic reaction or severe skin reactions.
Bedbugs are the size of an apple seed. They usually hide in the cracks and crevices of beds, box springs, headboards, bed frames, and other objects. They go out at night to feed on their host which is humans.
The risk of encountering bed bugs is higher if you stay in places where nighttime guests come and go often. This includes hotels, hospitals, or homeless shelters.
If you have seen evidence of bed bugs in your home, you need to contact a professional exterminator.
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Mosquito bite
A mosquito bite may present itself as an itchy, elongated oval red or pink skin bump. It is a common type of harmless bug bite. However, sometimes, this bite can cause serious ailments.
Zika virus (specifically harmful to pregnant mommies), West Nile virus, malaria, and dengue are examples of these illnesses. Most Zika patients, tend to have a brief, flulike condition. Meanwhile, newborn babies of mothers infected by Zika have higher risks of microcephaly birth defects.
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Lice bites
Lice bites are seen to be tiny red spots on the neck, shoulder, and scalp from the tiny parasitic insects. These lice can live on your clothes and even your beddings.
In the Philippines, lice attacks can always occur during summer because of sweaty hair and scalp.
Lice bites may not hurt but itch, even if these bites are small. Some people may have a larger, uncomfortable skin rash from these bites.
Continuous scratching of the itchy parts may result in an infection. Symptoms of this infection are swollen lymph nodes and tender, reddish skin.
An infected lice bite needs to be treated by a doctor.
Other identified bug bites
These additional types of bug bites are also in the chart. These are not common in babies and toddlers but it is better to be alert and cautious.
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Spider bites
Most spider bites are not that poisonous and may only result in symptoms like red skin, swelling, and pain in the bite area.
Other spider bites are alarming and might ask for immediate medical response. This will cause an allergic reaction, shortness of breath, chest tightening, face become swell, and swallowing problems.
This will be an emergency. It is recommended for you to have tetanus booster shots every 10 years.
In the chart, you can see what this bug bite looks like and what other types are similar to it.
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Tick bites
Tick bites are not that harmful. However, these bites can be dangerous sometimes because ticks can be carriers of certain diseases.
Formerly known as deer ticks, these black-legged ticks may carry Lyme disease. Dog ticks, meanwhile, can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever. There are about 30, 000 reported cases of Lyme disease in the United States every year.
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Flea bites
Flea bites may start to present their symptoms only a matter of hours after the flea bites. These bites tend to appear in groups of three or four.
You may start noticing hives, itchiness, and swelling around the injury or soreness. Or, it could be a rash of small red bumps which would or would not bleed.
Flea bites may occur often in your ankles and legs but might also appear in your armpits and around your waists. This bite turns white when you pinch it and tends to get bigger or spread over time.
Treatment for bug bites
Most insect bites are non-lethal and will heal within a few hours or days. These common insect bites can be treated also at home.
Also, it is better to consult a doctor when it comes to babies and toddlers having a bug bite.
First aid for different types of bug bites
To attend a bug bite or sting, you need to:
- Remove the stings, ticks, or hairs if these are still on the skin
- Wash the bite area with soap and running water
- Apply a cold compress (such as a flannel or cloth cooled with cold water) or an ice pack to any swelling or burn for at least 10 minutes
- Raise or elevate the bite area if possible. This may help reduce swelling.
- Avoid scratching the area or bursting any blisters to reduce the risks of severe infection. If your baby or child has been bitten or stung, it might help to keep their fingernails short and clean.
- Avoid traditional and unscientific home remedies. This includes using vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, as they are unlikely to help.
The pain and swelling can sometimes last for a matter of days. It is better to identify which bug bites are fatal from the presented chart to know the types of cautions.
Summary of bug bites type chart
Different types of bug bites may show symptoms that provide clues to the cause and severity presented in the chart. By reviewing the results, most bug bites cause red bumps with pain, itching, and burning.
Some of the bug bites may also result in blisters or welts. Here is the recap of common bug bite clues:
- Bed bugs may leave a small bite mark on the skin. This bite is itchy and red, and in rare cases, it may cause a serious allergic reaction.
- Beestings may cause a red skin bump with white surrounding a halo-like swell around it.
- Flea bites always leave an itchy welt on the skin. This itchy welt is always found on ankles, legs, sometimes in armpits, or in the bends of your knees and legs.
- Mosquito bites commonly leave a raised, itchy pinkish skin bump. In severe cases, it may result in a severe allergic reaction.
- Spider bites usually cause minor and benign symptoms like reddish skin, swelling, and pain in the bite area. Or, it may heighten serious symptoms.
- Ticks can be a carrier of Lyme disease, and their bites leave a rash on the skin that looks like an expanding bull's eye. These bites are mostly found on the scalp, neck, or shoulder.
Even if the bug bites are fatal or not, the best solution is to seek medical attention. We should not risk the health of our babies and children in regard to these little bites.
Here at theAsianparent Philippines, it's important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn't serve as an alternative for medical advise or medical treatment. theAsianparent Philippines is not responsible to those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend to consult your doctor for clearer information.