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Insect bites and stings - Background information
Definition of insect bite
- An insect bite is a puncture wound or laceration inflicted by an insect.
- The presence of antigenic salivary gland secretions in the insect bite produces local inflammation, and can result in systemic effects.
- The type of local reaction provoked mainly depends on previous exposure to the same or related species, typically:
- The first time a person is bitten there is often no reaction unless the salivary secretions of the insect contain a directly injurious substance.
- After repeated bites, as sensitivity occurs, an itchy papule develops about 24 hours after each bite, and persists for several days.
- After further bites, an extremely itchy weal develops immediately. This lasts about 2 hours, and is followed by a firm pruritic papule about 24 hours later, which usually persists for several days.
- With continued and repeated exposure, the delayed papule reaction no longer occurs and eventually there is no reaction at all.
- Biting insects commonly encountered in the UK include: midges, gnats, mosquitoes, flies, fleas, and bedbugs. Bites from ticks and mites are also common in the UK.
[Millikan, 1993; Burns, 2004]
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