What Should I Do If I Get Bitten by a Bug?

During summer in humid environments, we are often bitten by mosquitoes and other insects. Generally, common mosquito bites do not pose serious harm to our bodies. However, if the bites are from insects carrying viruses, we may experience discomfort and symptoms. If a severe fever occurs, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly. For ordinary mosquito bites, special treatment is usually not necessary.

Mosquitoes are small flying insects with piercing and sucking mouthparts. They puncture the skin and suck blood as their food source, while males feed on plant juices. Belonging to the Diptera family of insects, there are approximately 3,000 species of mosquitoes worldwide. Female mosquitoes that feed on blood can serve as intermediate hosts for pathogens causing dengue, malaria, yellow fever, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, and other diseases. Mosquitoes are distributed on all continents except Antarctica.

Among various insect bites, mosquito bites are the most common cause of dermatitis. When their saliva or venom penetrates the skin, it contains various antigens that can trigger allergic reactions and inflammation upon entering the human body. To prevent mosquito bites, it is essential to eliminate breeding grounds in the living environment. It is advisable to avoid keeping pets as they can increase the growth of mites and fleas. Avoid placing carpets indoors, and clean mats daily. Avoid using grass-woven bedding as it can easily hide small insects invisible to the naked eye, which can attack children and cause insect bite dermatitis.

When playing outdoors, it is recommended to keep children away from grassy areas, bushes, woods, swamps, and other damp places. Avoid touching dust, and when outdoors, minimize exposed skin by applying child-specific mosquito repellent. Use mosquito nets for children's beds and consider using electric mosquito repellents indoors. Avoid spraying insecticides indoors, and if necessary, ensure that children are kept outdoors until the scent dissipates.

Regularly remove weeds and debris from the surrounding environment, and avoid sleeping directly on the ground or resting in grassy or wooded areas. Despite our best efforts, it is often unavoidable to encounter mosquito bites during summer. When bitten, there are several homemade remedies that can help alleviate the itching.

Firstly, rubbing the bitten area with watermelon rind or applying the juice of aloe vera can provide relief. Secondly, applying a small amount of Huoxiang Zhengqi Liquid to the bitten area can reduce or eliminate itching within about half an hour. Thirdly, applying a small amount of toothpaste or crushed mint leaves to the bitten area can provide instant cooling and relieve itching. Additionally, mixing aspirin powder with cold water to form a paste and applying it to the bitten area can also reduce or eliminate itching.

Moreover, when eating porridge, waiting for a few minutes for a thin film to form on the surface and then applying it to the bitten area can also help relieve itching. The first three methods mentioned above are suitable for acute itching caused by mosquito bites. The juices of vegetables and fruits like watermelon and the evaporation of ethanol in Huoxiang Zhengqi Liquid can help take away heat, constrict capillaries at the bitten site, reduce the area of inflammation, and achieve the purpose of relieving itching. Furthermore, toothpaste contains mint ingredients, and the borneol in mint itself has the effect of cooling and relieving itching.

It is recommended to use topical traditional Chinese medicine twice daily for thorough treatment.