With the summer heat, mosquitoes and bees have made a comeback in our gardens and homes. Whether you think you have "mosquito skin", spray yourself with mosquito repellent or insect bites cause you allergic reactions, follow the advice of Dr Jimmy Mohamed, doctor and columnist in Sans Rendez-Vous , the health program of Europe 1.
There are no "mosquito skins"
Are you the favorite target of mosquitoes on summer evenings and you think it's your "sweet skin" that attracts them? Mosquitoes are attracted to both the carbon dioxide we breathe out, which they can spot more than 5 meters away, and to body odor, such as sweat and urine. Your diet may therefore have an impact on the risk of stings.
If you've been bitten, you can apply a hot or cold compress to the skin to relieve the itchiness. In case of multiple bites, especially in children, you can take an antihistamine. The one you use for allergic rhinitis is ideal for relieving itching. In addition, you can apply an antihistamine or cortisone-based cream, available without a prescription, in pharmacies.
Be careful if your child is scratching a lot. It can cause secondary skin infections. Dr Jimmy Mohamed therefore recommends disinfecting mosquito bites with an antiseptic.
Finally, the most effective not to scratch is… not to be stung! And the best way to protect yourself is to wear long, loose clothing. You can also equip your home with a mosquito net or electrical outlets that distribute mosquito repellent. If you apply a repellent lotion, beware of contraindications in children and pregnant women.
Be careful when removing the stinger from the bee
In the event of a bee sting, the first instinct is to remove the sting. But be careful how to proceed. Do not try to remove it by grabbing it with your fingers or tweezers. You risk exploding the pouch of venom, speeding up its spread and making symptoms worse. To remove the stinger, you can slide a blue card along the skin to try and lift it.
Finally, be aware that bee venom is heat labile, that is, it is sensitive to heat. You can therefore approach a cigarette, without burning yourself, to destroy the venom.
What to do in case of allergy?
Mosquito bite allergy is very rare. On the other hand, it is much more frequent in the event of a bite of a Hymenoptera, a sub-category of insects which includes bees, wasps and hornets.
If you have any signs of swelling or difficulty breathing after being bitten, it is imperative to call 15 promptly.