Tag: treatment

How to Protect Your Pets from Mosquitoes

Posted on by k2Dev

Mosquitoes are always annoying, and we as humans have a lot of options to try to keep them away from us. However, our furry companions don’t have the choice to go out and buy mosquito repellent or put on a long sleeved jacket. But there are options for those who want to reduce their fluffy friends’ chances of getting heartworm – the main risk dogs and cats face from mosquito bites.

 

Protect them with these helpful tips:

 

#1
Insect Repellant

While not all repellents are safe for dogs, there are some that can be used. Keep anything containing DEET away from the dog, as that can make them very sick. Check the ingredients, and if it is safe, spritz the dog so that the bugs are less interested in getting near him. The same goes for cats.

 

#2
Keep Pets Away From Bugs

While it might not be an easy task, keeping dogs away from mosquitoes is another important option. This could include not walking in very wet areas or marshes, and making sure that there is no stagnant water around the property. Don’t let the dog get bit at home, so make sure that bowls of water are being changed often.

 

#3

Keep Pets Inside

Also, keep the animals inside during the time that mosquitoes are most active. This will minimize their exposure to bites. During the early evening and the early morning, the mosquitoes are at their worst, so wait a little bit longer to take the dog on a walk. If the cat is allowed to go outside during the day, wait until later in the morning to let it out. Also, make sure to get the cat back inside by the late afternoon.

 

#4

Mosquito Proof the Home

Getting a good screen in all of the windows can keep bugs out so that animals won’t get bit while they are lounging around the house. Leaving the windows open in the summer is something that many do, but letting in mosquitoes could be very dangerous to those living inside. Even cats, which may not go outside very much, could be put at risk if the window is left open without a screen, and that could make them very sick.

 

#5

Provide Medication

Even if you do all this, it still might not be possible to keep a pet from getting bit every once in a while. In this case, giving your pet heart worm medication may be important, as that will lower the risk of illness resulting from bug bites. The bites may be annoying to the animal, but it is important to keep the animal from scratching them and making it worse.

 

#6

What To Do for Bites

If there are bites on the face and ears of your pet, putting some antibacterial cream on their bites is important. Try not to let them scratch at it, and take the pet to a vet if it gets worse. Also, bring the animal to vet on a regular basis to test for heart worm, as early detection is what will ensure that the dog is ultimately going to be healthy.

 

All of these prevention tactics are good for the furry friends in the home. Just follow them, and ask your vet to test your pet regularly for heart worms.

 

How To Treat An Infected Mosquito Bite

Posted on by k2Dev

Mosquitoes are annoying insects, leaving behind itchy, red bumps after puncturing the skin of their human prey. Although mosquito bites are usually harmless, they sometimes get infected or cause redness and swelling. Known as “skeeter syndrome,” mosquito bite infections are more common in children than in adults.

Mosquitoes can cause life-threatening illness if they carry certain parasites or viruses. Encephalitis, dengue fever, malaria, Rift Valley fever, yellow fever and West Nile virus are some of the blood-borne diseases that mosquitoes spread to humans. Heartworm disease is a mosquito-borne canine disease.

But if persistent scratching breaks the skin, even a disease-free bite can get infected. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of mosquito bites, infections and related problems can help people determine the best way to treat them. Itching and swelling require one type of treatment, while skin infections require another.

Here are some of the common symptoms of mosquito bites in children and adults.

Mosquito Bite Symptoms

People rarely notice the first mosquito bites they acquire. After they are bitten a few times, they are more likely to notice the bites. This often happens immediately after a mosquito feeding.

A puffy, flesh-colored bump may appear on the skin a few minutes after a mosquito bite. In a day or two, the bump may grow hard and turns into a reddish-brown color. It may also start to itch and swell.

Sometimes, mosquito bites appear as small blisters instead of puffy or hard bumps. Or, they may occur as dark spots that resemble bruises. If a mosquito bite becomes infected, it may become red, sore and swollen. It may also ooze or weep fluid.

In people with immune system disorders, a mosquito bite may trigger additional problems including hives, swollen lymph nodes and low-grade fever. Conventional wisdom recommends that people seek medical attention if an infected mosquito bite causes serious symptoms such as headache, body ache and fever.

Mosquito Bite Treatments

In normal circumstances, a mosquito bite stops itching and heals on its own without medical treatment. An ice pack may help with the itching and swelling until the bite heals. To expedite healing, it is helpful to know how to treat an infected mosquito bite.

Topical treatments like calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream or an antibiotic ointment can sooth mosquito bites and encourage healing. They are applied after the infected area of the skin is washed with soap and water and dried with a clean towel.

Although it is hard to resist scratching a mosquito bite, avoidance can prevent infection. Fingernails harbor numerous types of bacteria, and scratching a mosquito bite may cause a secondary infection.

A bite infection or other strong reaction may improve with an oral antihistamine. Cetirizine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine or loratadine are four ingredients that are commonly found in antihistamines. They may ease a person’s response to a mosquito bite.

Mosquito Bite Prevention

Prevention is the best treatment for a mosquito bite, because it stops an infection before it starts. People can take many steps to limit their exposure to mosquitoes or protect themselves when exposure is unavoidable.

An insect repellant is a temporary solution. It keeps hungry mosquitoes from identifying someone as food source. The length of protection depends on the strength of the ingredients in the repellant. Most repellants contain chemical ingredients like DEET or picaridin or plant-based compounds such as oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Most insect repellants are safe for children and adults, but they are not recommended for infants. Additionally, they are recommended for outdoor use only. It is important to wash the skin of repellant when returning indoors.

Protective clothing is another preventative measure to prevent mosquito bite infections. Long sleeves, long pants, socks and hats protect people from bites when they are in mosquito-infested areas. Permethrin, an insect repellant for clothing, adds another layer of protection.

Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Water can collect in just about anything: wading pools, birdbaths, flower pots, old tires, fire pits and more. Keeping these items empty and dry can discourage mosquitoes and prevent bites and infections.

 

How to Treat Mosquito Bites

Posted on by k2Dev

Summers mean that you’re spending more time outdoors, and mosquito bites are almost impossible to avoid. Although mosquito bites are usually harmless, the itching can be uncomfortable and keep you up at night. Luckily, there are lots of options available to reduce the itching and inflammation associated with the infamous mosquito bite.

 

When a mosquito bites you, it injects its saliva into your skin through its thin proboscis and drinks your blood. The mosquito’s saliva contains proteins that produce a natural anesthetic, but your body’s immune system reacts to the foreign material. This reaction is what causes that familiar itchy, swollen red bump to form.

 

It can be tempting to scratch a mosquito bite for the temporary relief, but this isn’t an effective treatment. In fact, scratching makes the inflammation worse, and the bite will take longer to disappear. Scratching can also break open the skin, which leads to scarring and allows bacteria to enter the wound. This can lead to infection, transforming a harmless mosquito bite into a serious medical problem. If you do scratch a mosquito bite open, keep the wound clean and cover the area with a band-aid.

There are plenty of treatments to help sooth the itching and quell your desire to scratch. Both over-the-counter medicines and natural remedies can provide effective relief.

Over-the-Counter Mosquito Bite Treatments

One over-the-counter treatment to stop itching is an anti-histamine cream or lotion. These treatments usually contain pramoxine, which relieves pain and itching. Some studies have suggested that ointments aren’t the most effective treatments for insect bites, but they may work for some people. If your body reacts more severely to mosquito bites, resulting in larger bumps, you can also take an oral anti-histamine. Anti-histamines are found in many allergy medications at your local drug store, but they can also cause drowsiness, among other side effects.

 

#1

CALAMINE LOTION

Calamine lotion is a popular treatment for mosquito bites. Use a Q-tip to dab a small amount on the area and let it dry for a few hours. Then wash it off with warm water. You should notice that the swelling has gone down.

 

Natural Mosquito Bite Treatments

Mosquito bites can also be treated by a variety of items you already have in your house. These treatments can be great for reducing the itchiness while also being cost-effective.

 

#2

COLD WATER

One of the easiest ways to combat a mosquito bite is by applying cold water or ice to it. Run cold water on the area or use an ice pack. You can also wrap a few ice cubes in a paper towel and press them against the bite. The cold will reduce swelling and numb the area. These can be especially useful methods to keep in mind if you are out of the house and don’t have access to other treatments.

 

#3

HONEY

Honey has naturally occurring anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. In addition to being a popular household ingredient, it is commonly found in natural and organic lotions. Apply a little bit to the bite for relief.

 

#4

LEMON AND LIME

Lemons and limes are another common ingredient you can use to treat mosquito bites. The citric acid found in these fruits can relieve itching. You can either rub a slice on the bite or apply some of the juice to the area.

 

#5

TOOTHPASTE

Putting toothpaste on a bite is another option. As with calamine lotion, dab a small amount and then allow it to dry. Reapply if necessary. This can be a great treatment to reduce the swelling from all kinds of insect bites.

 

#6

ASPIRIN

Apply water to the mosquito bite, then rub a tablet of aspirin over the area. This method also works with Tums or Rolaids, and it should make the itching go away very quickly.

 

On average, mosquito bites will stop itching in a few days and disappear completely within a week. If someone has a severe allergic reaction to a mosquito bite, or if the bite becomes infected, seek medical treatment immediately. In a vast majority of cases, mosquito bites are a problem that can be easily treated, and you shouldn’t let them stop you from enjoying the warm weather.