Anyone who ventures outdoors is bound to get an insect bite at some point in his or her life. While insects are virtually impossible to avoid, it is wise to take precautions to minimize exposure to bites and stings, particularly because some species – particularly mosquitoes and ticks – can transmit diseases.

David Tanner, M.D., an allergy and immunology specialist at Piedmont, shares more about illnesses transmitted by insects.

Diseases transmitted by ticks

Tick bites are often painless, and many people do not realize they have been bitten. The most common tick-borne illnesses include:

• Lyme Disease. This disease can be successfully treated by antibiotics if caught early, but if left untreated, it can spread to the joints, heart and nervous system. Symptoms include fever, muscle and joint aches, swollen lymph nodes, headache, fatigue, chills and a “bull’s-eye” skin rash. There are other tick-borne diseases that can lead to a rash, so see your physician if you develop a rash after a tick bite or after spending time outdoors.
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. This is a serious illness that can be fatal if not treated within the first eight days. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, abdominal pain and muscle pain. Some people infected with the disease will develop a rash a few days after infection. Some never develop a rash. Because the disease’s symptoms are non-specific, it is important to tell your physician if you have recently been bitten by a tick or if you think it is possible you were bitten and have these symptoms. When treated early, many people recover quickly, although others may require hospitalization.

Diseases transmitted by mosquitos

• West Nile Virus. The majority of people who contract the virus will never have any symptoms, which occur in only about 20% of people who contract it. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash. Most people recover on their own, but less than 1% will have serious symptoms.
• Dengue Fever. While this disease is rare in the United States, it is common in popular tourist destinations like Mexico, Puerto Rico and other countries in the Caribbean. The symptoms of this potentially deadly disease include sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, mild bleeding and a skin rash. If you suspect you have contracted dengue fever after visiting a foreign country, contact your physician. In many cases, dengue will resolve on its own with rest, fluids and acetaminophen (avoid aspirin), but some severe cases need additional medical intervention.
• Malaria. While the disease was eliminated from the U.S. in the 1950s, it is possible to contract malaria while traveling abroad. Left untreated, malaria can become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, shaking chills, muscle aches, vomiting and diarrhea. They usually hit between 10 days and four weeks after the mosquito bite. In some cases, people become ill as soon as seven days after the bite or as late as a year later. Consult with your physician before visiting a country where malaria is common. He or she can assess your risk and prescribe anti-malaria medication if needed.

Prevent insect-borne disease

There are several steps you can take to prevent insect-borne disease:

• Wear insect repellent that contains 20-30% DEET on both your clothing and exposed skin (but not on skin underneath your clothing), long sleeves, long pants and socks when spending time outdoors, especially between dusk and dawn.
• Bathe as soon as possible after spending time outdoors, and carefully scan your entire body and scalp for ticks. Check children, pets and outdoor gear as well.
• To remove a tick, grasp it with tweezers as close to your skin as possible and pull upward steadily. Avoid twisting the tweezers, as this can cause the tick’s mouth parts to break off and stay in the skin. After removal, apply rubbing alcohol and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Dispose of the tick by dousing it with rubbing alcohol, flushing it down the toilet or placing it in a sealed bag and throwing it away.
• If you are planning to travel abroad, do some research to determine if insect-borne diseases are common in your travel destination.
• See your physician before traveling abroad to ensure your vaccinations are up-to-date.

Less serious reactions to bug bites

Dr. Tanner also notes that there are some common insects that cause a more localized reaction, which will pass after a week or two. These include horseflies, black flies and chiggers. Chigger bites are known for being especially irritating, and, unfortunately, they are very common in the South. Dr. Tanner clarifies that these insects do not burrow in your skin and deposit larvae like many people think.

Instead, he says, “They bite and deposit saliva that creates an intense itching. This is a reaction your body is having to the protein found in their saliva. A topical steroid can help alleviate the itching caused by chigger bites.”

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