Insect bites and stings occur when an insect is agitated and seeks to defend itself through its natural defense mechanisms, or when an insect seeks to feed off the bitten person. Insects inject formic acid, which can cause an immediate skin reaction often resulting in redness and swelling in the injured area. The sting from fire ants, bees, wasps and hornets are usually painful, and may stimulate a dangerous allergic reaction called anaphylaxis for at-risk patients. Wasps can bite and sting at the same time. Bites from mosquitoes, fleas, and mites are more likely to cause itching than pain.

The skin reaction to insect bites and stings usually lasts for up to a few days. However, in some cases the local reaction can last for up to two years. These bites are sometimes misdiagnosed as other types of benign or cancerous lesions.^[1]

[edit] References

1. ^ Allen, Arthur C. (March 1948). "Persistent "Insect Bites" (Dermal Eosinophilic Granulomas) Simulating Lymphoblastomas, Histiocytoses, and Squamous Cell Carcinomas". Am J Pathol. 24 (2): 367–387. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1942711. 

[edit] See also

• Spider bite
• Insect bite relief stick
• Schmidt Sting Pain Index

[edit] External links

• Venomous Arthropods chapter in United States Environmental Protection Agency and University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences National Public Health Pesticide Applicator Training Manual

This medical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e