Insect Bites

Insect bites and stings occur when an insect is agitated and seeks to defend itself through its natural defense mechanisms, or when an insect seeks to feed off the bitten person. Insects inject formic acid, which can cause an immediate skin reaction often resulting in redness and swelling in the injured area. The sting from fire ants, bees, wasps and hornets are usually painful, and may stimulate a dangerous allergic reaction called anaphylaxis for at-risk patients. Wasps can bite and sting at the same time. Bites from mosquitoes, fleas, and mites are more likely to cause itching than pain.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a blanket term meaning “inflammation of the skin” (e.g. rash). There are several different types of dermatitis. The different kinds usually have in common an allergic reaction to specific allergens. The term may be used to refer to eczema, which is also known as dermatitis eczema or eczematous dermatitis. A diagnosis of eczema often implies atopic dermatitis (childhood eczema), but without proper context, it means nothing more than a “rash”.