Bug bites and skin rashes come in so many different shapes, sizes, and variations that even the most seasoned dermatologists can sometimes be puzzled by them.
Knowing that, it should come as little surprise that many people suffering from rashes and insect bites often reach out for help from an emergency room near them for diagnosis and treatment.
And although medical treatment should always be considered as the first course of action for any type of skin condition that cannot easily be identified, it may not always be necessary to seek our emergency care services.
Following are some of the most common triggers and symptoms of various bug bites and skin conditions in Texas.
What Express ER Would Like You to Know
While it’s impossible to discuss every type of insect bite or skin condition in this article, we hope the information provided will help you determine whether or not to treat it from home or to seek medical care from an ER or urgent care near you such as your nearest Express ER.
A Common Texas Culprit: Flea Bites
Even if your family does not have a pet, there’s still a chance that you or your children could come home with very distinctive flea bites – especially if you or they have been around friends, family, or co-workers who do have pets.
Because fleas do not have wings, they travel from place to place by jumping on and off of various things such as animals. But they can also jump from and between items of clothing or from tall blades of grass onto articles of clothing.
Flea bites are easy to recognize by their clustering in groups of three or four. They are very similar in appearance to a mosquito bite, but they will be a little smaller than the average mosquito bite and may occasionally have a red halo at the center of the bite.
Because they most commonly come from pets and grasses, flea bites are most often found around a person’s lower body, especially the lower legs.
Flea Bites Can Be Treated Like a Mosquito Bite
Treating a suspected flea bite is similar to treating a mosquito bite. Try to avoid itching the bite as a way to avoid an infection. You can also use over-the-counter anti-itch lotions and gels.
If, however, you notice that the affected area changes in its appearance of becomes painful or hot to touch, you’re encouraged to seek a medical diagnosis to ensure that the bite has not turned into an infection.
Take an Inventory of the Environment
The good thing about treating fleas in your home is that there are a number of ways to eradicate them. These include making sure that your yard is kept mowed to a manageable height and that it’s being treated with a pesticide – especially if you have a dog – or utilizing a pest control service to help manage their infestation.
And if you’re wondering whether or not the tiny bites you see could be bed bugs instead of flea bites, there are a few differences that can be noted.
Wondering If It’s a Bed Bug Bite?
As mentioned, fleas love to live on pets, grasses, or carpets, and will most typically bite on the lower portions of a person’s body — such as their feet, ankles, and lower legs.
Bed bugs, however, most commonly live in mattresses and bedding, although they have been known to be present in carpeting, as well.
But the main difference between the two is the location of the bites. Bed bug bites are most often seen around the face, neck, arms, and hands of a person opposed to lower body areas that fleas prefer.
Also, bed bug bites tend to be smaller than a mosquito bite, and they will often have a dark red spot in their center.
The One Thing Flea, Mosquito, and Bed Bug Bites Have in Common
The one common trait that all three types of insect bites and potentially resulting skin rashes have in common is that they can advance to an infectious stage if not treated properly. And since each type of bite may be similar in appearance to the untrained eye, most people choose to seek urgent care for a professional diagnosis and treatment plan to stay ahead of any adverse reactions to the bites such as fevers and allergies.
