Here’s how anyone can effectively deal with insect bites
We hardly notice the bite itself. It’s only when the bite mark swells up and theitchingsets in that it becomes clear: the mosquito has once again been quicker off the mark than us. It has used its tiny proboscis to gain access to our blood.
It’s the females that are the culprits here; the males feed on plant nectar. When they bite, saliva enters our bloodstream – mosquito saliva enriched with proteins. These proteins make the blood more fluid and thus easier for the tiny bloodsuckers to absorb. However, they also cause the bite to itch intensely afterwards.
When it comes to insect bites, nature offers plenty of home remedies and ways to help yourself. Daisy juice can relieve the itching, and ribwort plantain is also considered helpful.
“When you’re out and about, you don’t usually have anything else to hand at a moment’s notice. So it’s good to know which plants work as home remedies for insect bites.” After all, a cycle ride, a walk or a day at the lake isn’t quite as enjoyable when you can’t think of anything else but the itchy spot on your ankle.
“And scratching is by far the worst possible solution in this case. It significantly increases the risk of inflammation,” explain the Bottrop-based YouTubers Zitoun and Rüger.
Insect bites: Annoying, but rarely dangerous
Amosquito biteis a nuisance, but usually not dangerous. It’s far more unpleasant, however, when a wasp, hornet or bumblebee stings you. “The allergenic potential is also significantly higher in those cases,” explainsChristian Rügerfrom the Bottrop Centre for Natural Healing.
However, People with insect allergies must be particularly careful. For them, a sting can, in the worst-case scenario, be life-threatening. It is therefore better to avoid plum cake and other sweet treats on the terrace. These attract not only us, but wasps as well.
Other blood-sucking pests can also cause dangerous stings or bites. Ticks, for example. They are particularly active during rainy summers, waiting for prey in the undergrowth, lurking in the grass or on ferns.
What makes these crawling creatures particularly dangerous is the risk of disease transmission associated with them. In certain high-risk areas – including Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and southern Hesse – ticks may be infected with the pathogen that causes early summer meningoencephalitis (ESME).
When they bite, these ticks can transmit TBE viruses to Humans, causing symptoms of the disease and, in the worst case, even life-threateningmeningitis. Vaccinations can help prevent this. For residents of high-risk areas, the costs are even covered by health insurance.
Health facts – Not every tick bite makes you ill
The most common tick-borne disease, however, is Lyme disease. That said, not every tick bite automatically results in transmission of the pathogen. The longer the tick feeds on blood, however, the higher the risk. If it has already had a good feed, the tick will look plump, with a shiny, usually light-grey body.
Now is the time to stay calm. Carefully remove the thirsty bloodsucker and then see a doctor as soon as possible. This is because, should an infection be present, time is of the essence. The sooner treatment begins, the better.
“The diagnosis isn’t entirely straightforward,” explainsChristian Rüger. Non-specific symptoms such as tiredness, loss of appetite, headaches and aching limbs can have a variety of causes, but may also indicate Lyme disease.
In some cases, skin redness (erythema migrans) appears. Warm patches can be felt on the skin. Once the condition is diagnosed, it usually responds well to treatment with antibiotics. “Otherwise, there is also a risk of neuroborreliosis, which can manifest as meningitis,” saysFarid Zitoun, a naturopath at the Bottrop Centre forNaturopathy.
When removing the tick, it is best to use tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it out with a steady, even motion. “Do not twist it,” advises the complementary medicine practitioner. Doing so risks the tick’s mouthparts breaking off and remaining embedded in the skin. Disinfect the wound afterwards. The health experts at the naturopathic centre advise staying as calm as possible. After all, by no means does every tick bite lead to illness.
Home remedies for insect bites: clothing offers the most effective protection
But the risk is real. That is why prevention is particularly important as a natural home remedy against insect bites before they even occur. And there is plenty you can do in advance.
“Clothing offers the most effective protection for a planned picnic or a stroll through the river meadows,” says Christian Rüger. Long sleeves and trousers. It’s also advisable to pull your socks over the top of your trousers. “Light-coloured clothing is also a good idea,” adds the naturopath. “Whilst it doesn’t offer protection, it makes it much easier to spot any ticks on it.”
