Dr Sarah Jarvis is the Clinical Director of the Patient Platform, an active medical writer, broadcaster, and the resident doctor for BBC Radio 2.
Facing bites and stings while on holiday can quickly overshadow the joy of exploration and relaxation. Whether trekking through a lush forest, lounging by the seaside, or dining al fresco, the risk of encountering insects is a common concern.
Understanding how to manage these incidents promptly and effectively is crucial in preventing discomfort and ensuring they don't dampen your holiday spirit. This guide will provide you with essential steps and insights to manage bites and stings, allowing you to enjoy your travels with both peace of mind and a sense of preparedness.
What Bites & What Stings?
In the UK, insect bites and stings are generally not dangerous unless you have an allergy to insect stings. However, they can still make life quite uncomfortable and irritating. Stinging insects, such as wasps, bees, and hornets, inject venom into you, causing immediate and often sharp pain, sometimes leading to swelling or an allergic reaction if you are sensitive.
On the other hand, biting insects include mosquitoes, midges, fleas, horseflies, and bedbugs. These insects release saliva when they bite, which at first, often goes unnoticed. However, your body can react to the saliva, resulting in itchy, swollen red areas on the skin that can persist for several days, causing significant discomfort and sometimes even leading to secondary infections if scratched excessively.
While these bites and stings are mostly an annoyance, it's important to monitor them for signs of more severe reactions, especially if you have known allergies.
What Bites & Stings Abroad?
Countries abroad are home to many of the same biting and stinging insects found in the UK, such as bees, wasps, and common flies. However, when travelling internationally, you may encounter several insects not typically found in the UK. These unique insects include biting flies like blackflies, tsetse flies, which can transmit sleeping sickness, and sandflies, known for spreading leishmaniasis. Another insect to be aware of is the kissing bug, which can carry Chagas disease.
In addition, in many countries outside Western Europe, the USA, and Australasia, mosquitoes can be infected with a parasite that can lead to serious illnesses such as malaria, dengue and yellow fever.
What Do I Do If I’m Bitten?
If you experience a mild skin reaction, start by applying a cold compress to alleviate any discomfort. For pain relief, consider taking over-the-counter medications like paracetamol or ibuprofen. Additionally, you might find a steroid cream such as hydrocortisone, available for purchase at pharmacies, to be particularly soothing for irritated areas.
When dealing with bites from insects, your skin may feel intensely itchy due to a mild allergic reaction. In such cases, applying an antihistamine cream or taking antihistamine tablets can be beneficial in reducing the itchiness.
At nighttime, try to maintain a cool environment as your skin is usually itchier when you're warmer. This might involve using a fan or air conditioning. If you find yourself struggling with sleep due to numerous bites, a sedating antihistamine tablet, which you can obtain upon consultation with your pharmacist, may help promote a more restful night's sleep by reducing the itchiness and aiding in relaxation.
Bee Sting Specifics
For bee stings, if the stinger is still in place, it’s important to remove it quickly to minimise the amount of venom injected into the skin. Use the edge of a fingernail, a credit card, or any similar object to gently scrape it out. Avoid grabbing the stinger with your fingers or tweezers, as squeezing it may release more venom into the wound.
Are Ticks Insects?
Ticks are not technically insects; they are arachnids, closely related to spiders and mites. Despite their small size, ticks can carry various pathogens, most notably the bacteria causing Lyme disease, which can lead to serious health complications if not treated promptly. Therefore, it is vital to take preventive measures to avoid tick bites. Ticks typically inhabit wooded areas and long grasses, where they can easily latch onto passing hosts.
Ticks are most active during the summer months, elevating the risk of bites. When exploring the countryside, it is wise to stick to established trails and avoid tall vegetation. If you must venture into such areas, wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers tucked into your socks can provide some protection.
Furthermore, it is important to thoroughly check your body for ticks after spending time outdoors. These tiny creatures are only as small as poppy seeds before feeding, making them easy to overlook. However, once attached, they can feed for several days, swelling to over 1 cm as they engorge with blood. By taking these precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of tick bites and the potential transmission of diseases.
What Do I Do If I’m Bitten by A Tick?
If you find a tick, never scrape it off as you would a bee sting. This can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin, increasing the risk of infection. Instead, grasp the tick gently as close to the skin as possible using a tick removal device or fine-tipped tweezers, and pull away steadily without squashing it.
After removal, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Make sure you keep an eye on the area for signs of infection.
The rash associated with early Lyme disease is often described as a ‘bull’s eye’ rash. It starts as a red mark at the site of the bite and migrates outward, forming a red circle with a pale inner ring. This rash usually appears 3 to 30 days after the tick bite.
If you see this rash, or if you develop flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, or headache within 4 weeks of being in a tick-prone area, contact your doctor immediately.
The Risk of Mosquito Bites
No one wants to be bitten by a mosquito. Yet, for those travelling to hot and humid regions, mosquito bites can be irritating and painful. Beyond being a mere nuisance, mosquitoes pose significant risks as they can spread viruses and diseases through their bites.
Mosquitoes inhabit various regions worldwide, but they thrive in hot and humid environments. At their least harmful, mosquito bites can be itchy and painful; at their worst, they can be deadly. Despite their size, mosquitoes are considered the most lethal animals on Earth, with over 700,000 deaths annually attributed to the diseases they spread. While not all mosquitoes transmit diseases, those that do can still bite and potentially spread infection.
Some diseases transmitted by mosquitoes include:
Malaria: A parasitic infection requiring swift treatment. If untreated, it can be fatal.
Dengue: A viral infection typically asymptomatic unless severe. Repeated infections increase the risk of severe dengue.
Yellow Fever: Affects the liver and kidneys. Vaccination is advised for travel to high-risk areas.
Chikungunya: Causes sudden fever and joint pain, though most recover fully.
The prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases varies by region, so be aware of the risks specific to your travel destination.
You might also be able to take vaccines or preventative medicines before you travel if you know you’re going to a higher-risk area.
As advised by the NHS: “If you're travelling to an area where malaria is found, get advice from a GP, nurse, pharmacist or travel clinic before you go. It's best to do this at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel, but you can still get advice at the last minute if you need to."
“You may be prescribed antimalarial tablets to reduce the risk of getting malaria and told how you can prevent mosquito bites.”
READ MORE: What Vaccines Do You Need for Traveling Abroad?
Treating Mosquito Bites
Most mosquito bites can be easily treated without the need to talk to a medical professional, and after a few days, you won’t even notice them. One of the first things to do when you realise you have been bitten by a mosquito is to clean the area; this can be done with soap and warm water.
Many people will find they have a reaction to mosquito bites, and they can become inflamed and quite itchy. First off, you should not itch a bite if you get one, although we know it can be tempting. If washing the area with warm, soapy water doesn’t help, applying a cold compress might. Apply an ice pack to the area for 10 minutes and reapply as needed. You can also raise or elevate the area to help reduce swelling.
If you find that the itching continues to persist, then you can go to a supermarket or a pharmacy to get an over-the-counter anti-itch or antihistamine cream. These creams should be applied to the area of the bite according to the product directions and should help to reduce the itching and pain caused by the bite.
How Do I Avoid Being Bitten When on Holiday?
Prevention is always better than cure, so to avoid bites and stings:
Suitable Clothing
During the day, select light-coloured clothing, as it is less attractive to insects compared to dark colours, which can absorb heat. In the evening, when insects are most active, it's advisable to wear clothing that covers most of your body. Opt for a high neckline, long sleeves, and long trousers to minimise skin exposure and deter bites.
Reduce Fragrance
Avoid using strong perfumes or scented products, as these can attract insects such as mosquitoes and bees, which are drawn to the fragrance. Opt for unscented or lightly scented alternatives to minimise unwanted attention from these pests.
Take Precautions Eating Outside
When dining outdoors, it's important to take precautions to ensure a pleasant meal. Keep food covered to prevent attracting insects that are drawn to the aroma of food. Use food covers, mesh domes, or even a simple napkin to shield your dishes.
Insect Repellent
Apply insect repellent to all exposed skin areas. Choose a repellent containing DEET, which is highly effective. Alternatively, consider options with Icardin, Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR3535 for varied protection. Reapply the repellent regularly, particularly if you sweat excessively or go swimming to maintain its effectiveness. When applying, exercise caution around your face and eyes by spraying into your hands first and then applying it carefully to avoid irritation.
Sleeping Soundly
In regions where insects are known to carry infectious diseases, consider using a knock-down spray in your room a few hours before bedtime to reduce their presence. Additionally, sleep under a mosquito net treated with an insecticide for added protection throughout the night.
When to Seek Medical Help
It’s common to get persistent itching and redness after insect bites or stings, lasting up to 10 days. If you’re well in yourself and your symptoms aren’t getting worse, you don’t usually need a doctor.
However, you should seek medical advice for a bite if:
- You have symptoms of an infection in the wound, including pus, pain, swelling and heat in the area.
- You have other symptoms after the bite has incurred, including a high temperature/fever, flu-like symptoms, swollen glands, or generally feeling unwell.
- You find the area of the bite does not get better after a few days, continuing to increase in size, and become redder and more inflamed.
- You have symptoms of a severe reaction immediately after the bite, including a swollen face, difficulty breathing, feeling nauseous, feeling faint or a loss of consciousness.
- You have been bitten in and around your eyes or mouth.
Seeking medical help abroad can be intimidating, as many countries will have different healthcare systems, with many countries having paid healthcare. However, by investing in long-trip travel insurance, even if you are voyaging around the world on a long expedition, you’ll know you’ve been covered for any medical help you might need and any other complications you might face, such as curtailment, cancellation, lost luggage and theft.
If you’re looking for travel advice, from tips on the best destinations to staying safe whilst travelling, be sure to read our blog. Or, if you want to know more about travel insurance, be sure to read our travel insurance guides.