The typhus epidemic in Los Angeles reaches "epidemic levels"

bees

While bees make most people scream, crush their arms and run, small alarms are not really looking for you. In fact, they prefer not to disturb you at all, provided they leave them alone. But if you get stung, you'll end up with a pink bump that looks like itchy hives – once it stops beating, says Tsippora Shainhouse MD, FAAD, a certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills. If the stinger is still visible, try gently scratching it with a credit card to remove it. Do not pinch the sting with your fingers or tweezers, you could get more venom into your skin, she says. "The treatment may include cold baths, calamine lotion, oral histamines, such as Benadryl, and perhaps a meat tenderizer," says Dr. Shainhouse. An enzyme in the tenderizer called papain can help break down the substance in the venom that causes the pain, she explains. "Another theory is that venom is acidic and when it combines with the alkaline tenderizer, it neutralizes it and reduces pain," says Dr. Shainhouse. Try a 4: 1 ratio of water to meat tenderizer to make a dough. Signs that you are allergic to bee stings can be difficulty breathing, swallowing, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, confusion or sweating: call 911 immediately. Learn quick solutions to bee stings, insect bites, sunburns and other summer woes.

(Getty)

Check

"The problem with tick bites is that they can be a vector for transmission of other infections, including Lyme disease, erlichiosis, rocky mountainous fever," said Dr. Shainhouse. The problem is that they are transmitted by different types of ticks and you will probably not see any visible signs of tick bite the very day of its appearance, especially if it is in the nymph stage. If a rash develops, it usually occurs a few days after the bite. "The classic eye rash can be one or more rings," says Dr. Shainhouse, "and is characteristic of a Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii infection, a spirochaete that can be transmitted through a bite of the Ixodes deer tick. It can develop one to two weeks after being bitten. "However, the rash may not appear as a bubble: it may appear red or not at all, even if you are infected.You may not even feel ill with this rash, but fevers and sore "It should be treated with 20-day oral antibiotics as soon as possible," warns Dr. Shainhouse.Sometimes it is not necessary to take a treatment apart from eliminating the tick, but it is important to show your doctor to identify the tick and determine if you are at risk of getting an infection.

(Getty)

Mosquitoes

It seems impossible to navigate in the summer without a bite of "skeeter", and yes, some people are more attractive than others for flying insects. According to dermatologist Doris Day, MD, FAAD, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, mosquitoes are attracted to people with type O blood, lactic acid and sweaty urea. Unfortunately, drinking beer on the outside or just wearing dark clothes can make you more attractive to those biting parasites. In addition to being a nuisance (the sound moaning around your ears is infuriating!), The mosquito can transmit infectious diseases. "They carry everything from West Nile virus to chikungunya to zika," says Dr. Day. If you are bitten, the insect bite will be a small white bump and swollen with a red dot in the middle. It can become hard and reddish the next day. It's so good to scratch it but stop it right away: the itching can cause an infection or scarring at the site. Dr. Day has better advice. "Try to apply a cold compress, an aloe cream and gel and cortisone to help reduce the itching." It has been proven that these 8 foods repel mosquitoes.

(Getty)

Fleas

Prevention is the best medicine, so treat your pets against fleas. These ugly creatures (fleas, not your pets) cause painful and irritating bites and can even transmit the tapeworm. Without treatment, fleas will enjoy the free all-you-can-eat buffet that you and your furry friends provide. They do not fly but they can jump, especially on the ankles and calves. "Flea bites are usually tiny red bumps crusted on the lower legs," says Valerie Goldburt, MD, PhD, at Advanced Dermatology PC. "The bumps will be very irritating, so treat them with topical cortisone and soothing creams." She recommends keeping the creams in the fridge so that they are fresh. "Or use ice cubes that slow down nerve transmission and can relieve itching," says Dr. Goldburt. If you notice these types of insect bites, talk to your vet about flea control and call a pest control expert if you suspect a flea infestation.

(Getty)

Brown recluse spider

The good news about this spider is that its personality is fairly true to its name: they are shy and rarely bite unless they are provoked. Nevertheless, this spider is a dangerous threat. Found in the southern and central United States, the brown recluse prefers dark and sheltered spaces such as basements and sheds. If you have bothered a brown loner and he has bitten you, you may not realize it right away. "There is usually a single bite that turns into a red plaque with the risk of blistering," says Dr. Goldburt. "Symptoms can range from mild to very severe itching and pain, some bites can cause necrosis, where the tissue darkens, and this can become a medical emergency where the affected tissue needs to be removed. doctor if you suspect a brown recluse spider bite. " Follow these 9 steps to fix your house.

(Getty)

Drawing pins

Everyone was on the alert with all the media coverage of bed bugs in hotels a few years ago. Although you may not hear so much about them these days, you will always want to know how to recognize the signs of bed bug infestation. "Bed bug bites usually appear as" breakfast, lunch, and dinner "-like lesions," notes Joshua Zeichner, medical director of aesthetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Hospital. Sinai from New York. This means that the insects usually sting the skin, then move before biting again, leaving a linear distribution of the bites. "The bites usually occur on the arms and legs because this is the skin exposed to the bed where insects have infested," says Dr. Zeichner. Fortunately, bedbug bites will disappear after a few days; if the urge to scratch makes you crazy, he recommends using an over – the – counter ointment containing hydrocortisone to reduce inflammation and itching. Do not miss the 16 secrets that bed bugs do not want you to know.

(Getty)

Chiggers

You are not likely to see these small bites but you will feel them later. They are not considered insects but are members of the arachnid family, which includes ticks and spiders. They do not fly, but they do not sting you if you are in grassy areas, on a golf course, on a baseball field or on a playground. Curiously, there are only the chiggers who bite – or say we nibble – on the skin. They crawl on your clothes until they find an open skin area and then, it's time for chomping. "Chigger bites leave behind reddish bumps, with a lighter red dot in the center of each bump, and these bumps also look like pimples or hives," said Angela Lamb, MD, director of the practice of Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty. To get relief, Dr. Lamb recommends taking a cool shower or washing the sting with soap and water. "To relieve the symptoms of itching or burning, I recommend you apply a cortisone cream or a topical treatment like After Bite, which combines a mixture of soothing ingredients to relieve itching. and adults with sensitive skin, I recommend the use of After Bite Kids., a soft, non-pungent cream that also provides instant relief from symptoms of discomfort. "

(Getty)

Black widow spider

Located in warm, dry regions of the south and west of the United States, the black widow has a distinct red hourglass shape on her abdomen. Shy and fond of dark corners, this black beauty offers a bite that immediately hurts. You will have swelling and redness on the site and you may be able to see two marks of fangs. In less than eight hours, your muscles may become stiff and you may experience nausea, dizziness, difficulty breathing, rashes, itching and even tremors and paralysis of the legs. If a child has been bitten, go quickly to the emergency room because spiders can be fatal to the youngest. You can wash the area with cold water and soap, then ice for 10 minutes, 10 minutes until you get medical attention. Discover the 10 most dangerous insects to watch.

(Getty)

Fire ant

They may be small, but fire ants are very aggressive and cause a painful bite. They are resilient too. According to Washington Posteven the waters of the recent tropical storm Cindy did not deter them; the colony forms a loose ball and floats until the crew finds the land firm. In general, fire ants are found in the southeastern and southwestern United States. Their nests are found on lawns, parks and pastures. "Fire ants bites can be identified by groups of swollen red spots that appear on the skin and look like pimples filled with pus.These round spots often blister at the top shortly after the appearance of the sting, "says Dr. Lamb. Treat the bites as chiggers: cool shower, water and soap, and topical treatments like After Bite.

(Getty)