A gnat (sometimes referred to as a midge) is a small two-winged fly and is part of a family of insects that includes mosquitoes and flies. There are both biting and non-biting species of gnats. Unlike wasps and bees, gnats bite rather than sting. Gnats are found in every continent of the world and can usually be found near water or wet soil, especially at dawn and dusk. They fly in large swarms for the purpose of mating and are often drawn to light and can be found swarming around outdoor lighting in summer.<\/p>\n
Gnat bites are not usually serious and it is rare to experience a severe or allergic reaction after being bitten. However, some gnats can pass on bacteria from things such as dead animals or rotten food, which can lead to infections when they feed on people.<\/p>\n
There are three types of reactions you may have following a gnat bite.<\/p>\n
Gnats capable of biting have \u2018cutters\u2019 inside their mouths to cut open the skin so that they can feed on the blood beneath. While biting, the gnat injects an anti-clotting agent into the wound. The agent prevents the blood from clotting and allows the gnat to feed on larger quantities of blood; a gnat bite can consequently feel more painful than a mosquito bite. The common symptoms you may find are:<\/p>\n
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Scratching an itchy bite can risk infection. Signs of a potentially infected gnat bite are:<\/p>\n
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Some people can have a mild allergic reaction to gnat bites. This causes the area surrounding the bite to become swollen, red and painful. However, rapid onset of any of the following symptoms following a gnat bite could indicate a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Anaphylaxis is potentially life-threatening and requires emergency treatment. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include:<\/p>\n
In the unusual event that a bite causes symptoms of a severe reaction, you will need immediate emergency care. If your bite is showing signs of being infected, we recommend that you contact Ahmey\u2019s and make an appointment to see a doctor. If the bite is incredibly swollen, the doctor might prescribe a topical cream or oral medication to reduce swelling. If the bite is infected, the doctor may also potentially prescribe antibiotics.<\/p>\n
Gnat bites do not usually require medical treatment. If you experience any symptoms of an infection, contact Ahmey\u2019s to make an appointment. If you experience any symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, you will need immediate emergency treatment. Any mild discomfort can be treated by the patient themselves in the ways shown below.<\/p>\n
First aid for gnat bites:<\/p>\n
Gnat Bites A gnat (sometimes referred to as a midge) is a small two-winged fly and is part of a family of insects that includes mosquitoes and flies. There are both biting and non-biting species of gnats. Unlike wasps and bees, gnats bite rather than sting. Gnats are found in every continent of the world […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1985,"parent":1695,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"\n