Mites are tiny bugs, very difficult to see with the naked eye, whose bite is often quite annoying for both animals and people. In fact, this small animal is the main transmitter of the dreaded disease known as mange, which leads us to think of the mite bite as a serious problem, and not as something to be taken lightly.
For this reason, we tell you everything you need to know about the mite bite: how to identify it, how to prevent it and what measures to take if you have been the victim of these horrendous pests.
How do you know if it is a mite bite?
Knowing how to identify the mite bite is really essential to be able to take action and thus solve the case. Many people often confuse these bites with those of other insects, such as common mosquitoes, and do not realize that the real culprit is still hidden among their rugs, curtains or bedding.
Now, when it comes to differentiating a mite bite, not only the wounds on the skin serve as a signal, since these annoying bichillos tend to cause allergies or general discomfort, including sneezing, redness of the eyeballs, nasal congestion, other discomforts, giving us another indicator of their undesirable presence.
Of course, the appearance of skin rashes, accompanied by redness and intense itching, are another symptom that makes us think of the culpability of these pests, so check the presence of rashes on the skin, especially in the fingers and toes, the inside of the elbows, knees and around the genitals is essential to determine whether or not you have been attacked by this bug.
How to avoid a mite bite?
Since the mite bite can become quite annoying, it is advisable to know exactly what to do to avoid them, and here are some recommendations that can serve to fulfill this purpose.
In general, to avoid a mite bite, you should be responsible for promoting good hygiene in your home, since the remains of dust, either in carpets, furniture or on your own mattress, are usually the perfect hiding place for these small but annoying pests.
For this reason, we advise you to use the vacuum instead of the typical broom when removing the dust, since it is much more likely that you will catch even the smallest particles of dust in the home, which would be almost impossible with the help of the common broom.
Likewise, we advise you to ventilate spaces from time to time, in addition to curtains, carpets and bed linens, to wash cloths at a temperature equal to or higher than 60 ° C, including a little bit of baking soda, and to use bedspreads and anti-mite covers on mattresses.
On the other hand, we recommend to counteract as much as possible the humidity, as this will prevent the proliferation of these annoying arachnids.
What to do if a mite bite you?
If in your attempt to stay away from mites, you have turned out to be a victim of these horrendous bichillos, do not hesitate to follow the following indications.
If you notice numerous bites, go to your nearest health center to be properly analyzed and receive the corresponding diagnosis. Many times, the mite bite is underestimated, forgetting that this bug is the main propagator of scabies.
A doctor or specialist may prescribe a topical ointment based on permethrin or some sulfur ointment to improve symptoms. Likewise, it may recommend taking antibiotics if necessary, in order to avoid infection of the wounds.
On the other hand, to calm the itching, you can resort to antihistamine creams or hydrocortisone-based, trying not to expose yourself to the sun during its application.
Finally, we recommend not to scratch the affected area, since it could worsen the symptoms of the bite and cause wounds to become infected.
Natural remedies for mite bites
Although the ideal should be to contact a specialist, who helps minimize the discomfort caused by a mite bite, there are some natural remedies that you can apply yourself to solve the problem on your own.
- Oatmeal: accessible and very easy to prepare, you only need to add a few spoonfuls of oatmeal to the bath water and immerse yourself in the tub for a couple of minutes, to notice how the itching and inflammation decrease markedly. Make sure the water is warm or cold, since hot water can increase itching. When drying, do it with a clean towel and without rubbing the skin, to avoid causing further damage.
- Essential oils: essential oils are another excellent alternative to treat mite bites and, among them, tea tree oil is one of the most recommended. To use it, you must add a few drops of this oil in the bath water and enter the tub to relieve itching. If you wish, you can mix it with witch hazel or apply it softly and directly on the bite, with the help of a cotton ball.
- Aloe Vera: aloe vera gel is a great anti-inflammatory and disinfectant that can be used to calm the discomfort caused by mites and their bites. After washing the affected area very well, apply a generous amount of aloe vera gel on it, leaving it to act for 30 minutes, then rinse with cold water and repeat at least 2 times during the day.
When to go to the doctor in front of a mite sting?
The mite bite may not pose major inconveniences, resulting in effective treatment at home, with natural remedies as listed above. However, the reactions manifested by the affected person may become more severe than normal, leading to anaphylactic shock, in the case of allergic people, or in other delicate symptoms that do not improve over time.
Faced with these cases, it is best to consult a doctor or specialist, who is able to carry out the proper diagnosis and prescribe the most appropriate treatment to ensure the good health of the patient.
