Top 4 Common Outdoor Bugs and How to Identify Their Bites

Top 4 Common Outdoor Bugs and How to Identify Their Bites : Hiking is one of the best ways to spend your outdoor hours during warm seasons. However, there are lots of challenges you might encounter as you hike along trails or stop to take pictures deep in nature. One of these challenges includes dealing with bug bites, which might sometimes require immediate medical attention.

Bug bites can be annoying, whether it is a nagging itch, a painful sting or a slight pinch. The experience gets even creepier if you do not know which one of these tiny creatures left your skin red and throbbing. There is no reason to worry. Most bug bites are a form of self-defense and are entirely harmless. However, some bites might be dangerous and need immediate medical attention.

Identifying bug bites is an essential step towards administering proper treatment. Additionally, before deploying a bug repellent, you need to know what tiny creature you are dealing with – and identifying the bites can help with that.

Mosquito Bites

Depending on the area you are hiking, a mosquito is one of the bugs you are most likely to encounter. But do mosquito bites look like bed bug bites?

Yes, mosquito bites can be relatively similar to those of bed bugs, making them a little challenging to identify. However, a mosquito bite results in an itchy, red or pink, round bump on the patients’ skin

Mosquito bites are not always harmful. However, some mosquitos are carriers of dangerous diseases, such as malaria and the Zika virus. So, it is essential to identify mosquito bites for proper treatment in the event that one of these harmful mosquitoes bite you.

Spider Bites

Another common bug you might come across when hiking is a spider. Some spider bites are poisonous, while others are not. If a bug bites you and you experience symptoms such as tightness in your chest and breathing problems, it is most likely a spider bite, and you should report to an emergency room immediately.

Spider bites are characterised by swelling, red skin and pain around the bitten part of the skin. So, if you notice these symptoms, you might have been bitten by a spider.

Bed Bug Bites

Bed bug bites are more similar to those of mosquitos, which is why most people confuse the two. The bites are characterised by small, red puffy bumps that can appear in clusters or lines. Bed bugs usually bite areas of the skin that are exposed, such as forearms, legs and face.

It can be a little unlikely to encounter bedbugs on the trails. However, they can be carried along on clothes – so getting a bed bug bite while hiking is not so far-fetched.

Tick Bites

Compared to the other bugs, identifying tick bites can be relatively easy. The bug attaches itself to you and lingers for about five days, suckling on your blood. Their bites are usually painless and often go unnoticed. However, they can leave a red spot around the area they’ve bitten.

Identifying these bites is essential as tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.

Conclusion

There are many bugs that prey on humans as they hit the trails for a hike. However, these are the top ones on the list. If you notice any of the signs above, it is essential to administer the proper treatment to avoid any potential medical emergency.