Early Fall is a favorite time of the year for many people. The weather is still warm enough for playing and working outside but once in a while you get a whiff of crisp clear air early in the morning and see pumpkin spice everything is everywhere. This time of year is truly the best of both worlds, except for the incessant buzzing of bees and wasps, and spiders waiting under and in everything you pick up. Don’t forget mosquitos dive bombing at dusk and ticks and fleas forever looking for a warm body to attack. Not to mention, school is back in session soon and the kids may bring home lice. It is hard to separate the pleasures of early fall from the pesky bugs that seem to always bite. At Trillium Creek Dermatology, we want you to be aware of bug bites that mean nothing and bites that might require more special attention.
Spider Bites
If it seems like spiders are more plentiful as fall rolls in, it is because they’re looking for mates as the weather gets cooler. A bite from one of these amorous little fellows, especially the brown recluse and black widow variety, can range from an itchy little bump that an ice pack will ease, all the way to a tissue devouring wound that requires serious medical attention. That is why being able to distinguish a bite from a harmless little spider from a more serious one is so important.
Mosquito Bites
More than anything we all recognize mosquitos for how annoying the relentlessly itchy bumps they leave are, but they can also spread serious illnesses that cause much more distress than a little itchiness. The increase in rainfall that usually accompanies fall can be blamed for the influx of mosquitos that arrive, uninvited and unwelcome. Along with itchy bumps, they can cause serious diseases such as West Nile virus and malaria. Even a minor bite has the potential to get infected, causing major issues.
Tick and Flea Bites
Not only are ticks generally creepy and gross, but they carry the risk of transmitting some serious diseases. Tick bites can cause Lyme disease as well as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, even when they are successfully removed from the skin. Though it happens rarely, fleas can cause deadly diseases through the transfer of blood that occurs when they bite. Both flea and tick bites can be a real problem in people who are allergic or if they become infected. Being aware of what tick species are in your area and checking yourself for bugs or bites after walking through the woods is important in preventing a tick bite.
Wasp and Bee Stings
Nothing is worse than enjoying a beautiful fall day when a sudden sharp sting interrupts your relaxation. As wasps and bees prepare for the colder months, they begin to gather more food and become more protective of their hives making them more likely to sting in the late summer and early fall. Not only are their stings very painful, but they can be downright dangerous to one who has allergies, especially if stung multiple times. If you have an allergy to wasps or bee stings, you should always carry an EpiPen with you in the spring, summer, and fall.
Lice
School means that there will be large groups of kids gathering together that may not have seen each other all summer, ramping up the chances of lice infestation, because kids tend to share more than just secrets and snacks. Since the fight with these little creepy crawlers has been going on for so long, they’ve become immune to most of the over-the-counter solutions and treatments. For that reason, it is imperative to seek professional assistance when your little darlings bring home these unwelcome guests.
Schedule a Consultation
You’re not alone in the fight against the bugs of fall. The skin experts at Trillium Creek Dermatology are here to help. We are able to assess the problem and offer the right treatment in each situation. With four locations in Brunswick, Medina, Wadsworth, and Wooster, Ohio, you can easily bring your bug bites in for fast relief. For more information, fill out our online contact form.
