Here’s How to Balance and Stabilize Your Hormones
When out of balance, hormones affect your physical and emotional well-being. Fortunately, there are ways to help you feel better. Read on to find out how to balance and stabilize your hormones.
The Link Between Allergic Reactions and Bug Bites
No one wants to get bit by a bug. A bite can cause discomfort as well as uneasiness about the offending type of bug in the future. However, if a bite causes an allergic reaction, it can go beyond discomfort quickly. A severe allergic reaction can cause large-scale swelling and even breathing difficulties.
Pompeyo Chavez, MD, in Bastrop, Texas, is an expert in diagnosing allergies. In this blog, he explains what can result from insect bites and what you can do to stay safe.
Normal reactions to bug bites
Most bug bite sites mimic the symptoms of allergies. Itchiness, swelling, and redness are common in both allergies and bug bites.
If you or your child gets a bug bite, wash the area thoroughly, apply a cold compress, and keep an eye on it. If the discomfort and symptoms stay localized to the bite’s location, it’s probably a normal response, even if it’s uncomfortable.
Normal responses should resolve within a few days.
Allergic reactions to bug bites
An allergic reaction can look similar to the normal bodily response to a bug bite. For example, you may develop itchiness and minor swelling. Because of this, it can be hard to tell the difference.
However, Dr. Chavez can determine if the result of a bite is due to an allergic reaction. If it is, he can develop an allergy treatment plan to ease any discomfort, both for the current bite and any future bites.
It should be noted that bug bites rarely cause severe reactions. Severe reactions are most often caused by stinging insects, such as bees, hornets, and wasps.
Still, though, it’s important to monitor any bug bites. If, for example, swelling affects the whole limb rather than a small area around the bite, this could indicate a severe allergic reaction. Or if you have trouble breathing following a bite, this could indicate a severe allergic reaction.
If the reaction is severe, you should seek medical treatment immediately. Then you can make a follow-up appointment with Dr. Chavez, and he can develop a treatment plan to help you stay well in the future.
Allergies outside of bug bites
A bug doesn’t have to bite or sting to cause allergies. Simply living with certain insects, such as cockroaches or dust mites, can cause an allergic reaction in some people. In many cases, these types of allergic reactions get confused with a common cold — but one that just won’t go away.
If you’ve been living with persistent stuffiness, itchiness, sneezing, or coughing, it could be due to an insect allergy. Talk to Dr. Chavez so he can help you find relief.
To assess and treat any insect-related allergies, call 512-262-4699 or book an appointment online with the practice of Pompeyo Chavez, MD, today.
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