Emergency Medicine Book

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Mosquito BiteAka: Mosquito, Flea, Chigger, Gnat

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  1. See Also
    1. Insect Bite
    2. Vector Borne Disease
    3. Vector-borne Disease Prevention
  2. Causes
    1. Mosquitoes
      1. Attack exposed skin
      2. Active during cooler times of day, and out of sun
    2. Gnats
      1. Attack at hairline
      2. Active during moist times (early spring)
    3. Chiggers
      1. Areas attacked
        1. Occluded areas (e.g. beneath waistband)
        2. Intertriginous areas (e.g. axilla)
      2. Active when host sits or lies on lawn or grass
  3. Signs: Local reaction
    1. Phase 1:
      1. Immediate wheal forms at bite site
      2. Reaction to:
        1. Histamine in insect Saliva
        2. IgE-mediated reaction to insect Saliva
    2. Phase 2:
      1. Erythematous Papules follow in 2-6 hours
      2. Local swelling
      3. Intense Pruritus
  4. Management
    1. Oral Antihistamines
    2. Cold packs
    3. Calamine lotion
    4. Zyrtec (10 mg qd)
      1. Reduces Pruritus and post-bite Papule
      2. Active for up to 12 hours after taking dose
    5. Topical anesthetic or Antihistamine
      1. AVOID repeated use
      2. May result in Allergic Contact Dermatitis
    6. Topical Corticosteroids
      1. Slower response compared with other topicals
      2. Beware associated atrophy
        1. Avoid on face and intertriginous areas
        2. Use mild preparations
    7. Homemade remedies (unknown efficacy)
      1. Apply Toothpaste or baking soda paste to area
  5. Prevention
    1. See Prevention of Mosquito Bite
    2. Highly effective prevention in Mosquito exposure
      1. N,N dethyl-m-toluamide (DEET, under 30%)
      2. Permethrin
        1. Spray clothes and bed netting only (not skin)
        2. Permethrin remains despite several washings
        3. Very effective in combination with DEET
    3. Ineffective agents in preventing mosquito bites
      1. Vitamin B1
      2. Citronella

Fleas (C0016228)

Definition (MSH)Parasitic, blood-sucking, wingless insects comprising the order Siphonaptera.
Definition (CSP)fleas are small and wingless; usually are ectoparasites on birds or mammals; adults feed on the blood of the host and lay eggs in the host or the dirt of the host nest.
ConceptsInvertebrate (T009)
EnglishAphaniptera, Flea, Fleas, Order Siphonaptera, Order: Siphonaptera, Siphonaptera
Spanishorden Siphonaptera, orden: Siphonaptera, pulga
CreditsDerived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)


Gnat (C0018008)

ConceptsInvertebrate (T009)
EnglishGnat
Spanishcénzalo, cenzalo
CreditsDerived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)


Culicidae (C0026584)

Definition (CSP)family of the order Diptera that comprises the mosquitoes; recognized by the characteristic wing venation, the scales along the wing veins, and the long proboscis; many species are of particular medical importance.
Definition (MSH)A family of the order DIPTERA that comprises the mosquitoes. The larval stages are aquatic, and the adults can be recognized by the characteristic wing venation, the scales along the wing veins, and the long proboscis. Many species are of particular medical importance.
ConceptsInvertebrate (T009)
EnglishCulicidae, Family Culicidae, Family: Culicidae, mosquito, mosquitoe, Mosquitoes
Spanishfamilia Culicidae, familia: Culicidae, mosquito
CreditsDerived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)


Chiggers (C0041171)

Definition (MSH)Family of MITES in the superfamily Trombiculoidea, suborder Prostigmata, which attack humans and other vertebrates, causing DERMATITIS and severe allergic reactions. Chiggers, red bugs, and harvest mites commonly refer to the larval stage of Trombiculid mites, the only parasitic stage of the mite's life cycle.
ConceptsInvertebrate (T009)
ICD9133.8
EnglishChigger, Chigger mite, Chiggers, Family trombiculidae, Family: Trombiculidae, Harvest mite, Harvest Mites, Red Bugs, Red mite, redbugs, Trombiculid Mites, Trombiculidae
Spanishfamilia trombiculidae, familia: Trombiculidae
CreditsDerived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)



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