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How to Keep Mosquitoes Out of the House

Mosquito bites are itchy and uncomfortable, and can even cause a severe allergic reaction. That’s why it’s important to mozzie-proof your home: not just to prevent itchy bites, but to ensure your whole family is safe and free from the discomfort of mosquitoes.

The Essential Family Holiday Packing List

Holidays are meant to be relaxing, but there is nothing more frustrating than leaving one of your ‘essentials’ at home. Here is a helpful list of five essential items to pack when going on your next summer holiday to help you stay healthy and happy, whether you’re bush, beach or city bound.

Common Types of Insect Bites and Stings

From mosquitos and sandflies to wasps and bees — there is no shortage of insects that bite and sting leaving you itchy and sore. It’s important to understand what type of insect you’re dealing with, so you can provide effective insect bite treatment, and know when to seek urgent medical assistance.

What is the difference between a bite and a sting?

Insect Bite: An insect bite causes a puncture wound in the skin. They bite in order to feed on their victim’s blood. Eg. ants, mosquitoes, sand flies. The type of insect that bites you can determine what type of reaction you will have. Most insect bites will only cause a minor allergic reaction including a bump, redness and swelling, itching at the site due to the saliva the insect injected when feeding

Insect Sting: An insect sting punctures the skin and leaves behind residue such as saliva, faeces or venom. Eg. Bees and wasps. Most insect stings will result in redness, a burning pain and swelling at the site of the sting.

Stingose Gel and Spray works to inactivate the venom from the insect bite or sting to provide relief.

What are some common allergic reactions to bites and stings?

Insect bites are a less common cause of anaphylaxis than insect stings. Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to insects are usually due to bees, wasps or the Australian Jack Jumper ant. Most insect bites and stings result in a localised itch and swelling that settles within a few days.

Allergies to venoms from stinging insects (bees, wasps and ants) are one of the most common causes of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) in Australia. Symptoms include an all over rash, swelling of the tongue or throat, trouble breathing, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting or a drop in blood pressure (shock).

A bee, wasp or ant sting can cause pain and/or swelling. Some people may have an allergic reaction to the sting, which may cause a rash, vomiting, collapse or difficulty in breathing. Seek medical attention straight away if an allergic reaction occurs.

What are some common symptoms of bites and stings?

BITES:

irritation
inflammation & swelling
a bump or blister around the bite mark

STINGS:

an intense burning feeling
redness around the sting site
pain that generally eases after an hour or so
swelling around the sting

How to prevent bites and stings?

To prevent bites and stings, it’s a good idea to use insect repellent and wear protective clothing when walking through the bush.

Wear protective gloves and clothing when gardening. Bites and stings can happen when you have bare feet so wear shoes when you are outside, even around your home.

Should you be alarmed by mosquito bites?

Mosquitoes cause itchy bites but severe allergic reactions are rare. Sensitivity to mosquito bites varies with individuals. Most people have only a mild reaction, but others can have severe symptoms from the saliva of mosquitoes. Typical symptoms include swelling, redness, and irritation at the puncture site.

Can ant bites cause infection?

Insect bites can sometimes become infected. The pain of a fire ant bite (also known as a sting) can last up to an hour, after which time small blisters or pustules may appear. If the blisters get broken they can become infected. When the skin is irritated and itchy from an insect bite, scratching breaks the skin and allows infection in. Infection is also more common in fire ant stings as often they will bite multiple times. If you are concerned about the reaction you are having after an ant bite, seek medical assistance immediately.

How do wasp and bee stings differ?

Wasps are generally more aggressive than bees and are attracted to food and sugary drinks.

Unlike a bee which only stings once, a wasp can potentially sting repeatedly. The sting of a wasp may cause a burning like pain, raised lump, redness, local inflammation and may result in anaphylaxis.

Where to get help?

In an emergency, call triple zero (000)
Poisons Information Centre Tel. 13 11 26 – seven days a week, 24 hours a day
Emergency department of the nearest hospital
Your doctor
Your local pharmacist
Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia Tel. 1300 728 000

Is there an age restriction for using Stingose?

There is no specific recommendation on the use of Stingose in different age groups. Talk to your healthcare professional for more information. Always keep out of eyes and take normal First Aid precautions such as the use of water and ice on the affected area.

Is Stingose safe for babies?

There is no specific recommendation on the use of Stingose in different age groups. It’s always best to talk to your pharmacist or doctor for advice. Always keep out of eyes and take normal First Aid precautions such as the use of water and ice on the affected area.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

What is the difference between a bite and a sting?

Insect Bite: An insect bite causes a puncture wound in the skin. They bite in order to feed on their victim’s blood. Eg. ants, mosquitoes, sand flies. The type of insect that bites you can determine what type of reaction you will have. Most insect bites will only cause a minor allergic reaction including a bump, redness and swelling, itching at the site due to the saliva the insect injected when feeding

Insect Sting: An insect sting punctures the skin and leaves behind residue such as saliva, faeces or venom. Eg. Bees and wasps. Most insect stings will result in redness, a burning pain and swelling at the site of the sting.

Stingose Gel and Spray works to inactivate the venom from the insect bite or sting to provide relief.

What are some common allergic reactions to bites and stings?

Insect bites are a less common cause of anaphylaxis than insect stings. Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to insects are usually due to bees, wasps or the Australian Jack Jumper ant. Most insect bites and stings result in a localised itch and swelling that settles within a few days.

Allergies to venoms from stinging insects (bees, wasps and ants) are one of the most common causes of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) in Australia. Symptoms include an all over rash, swelling of the tongue or throat, trouble breathing, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting or a drop in blood pressure (shock).

A bee, wasp or ant sting can cause pain and/or swelling. Some people may have an allergic reaction to the sting, which may cause a rash, vomiting, collapse or difficulty in breathing. Seek medical attention straight away if an allergic reaction occurs.

What are some common symptoms of bites and stings?

BITES:

irritation
inflammation & swelling
a bump or blister around the bite mark

STINGS:

an intense burning feeling
redness around the sting site
pain that generally eases after an hour or so
swelling around the sting

How to prevent bites and stings?

To prevent bites and stings, it’s a good idea to use insect repellent and wear protective clothing when walking through the bush.

Wear protective gloves and clothing when gardening. Bites and stings can happen when you have bare feet so wear shoes when you are outside, even around your home.

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