April 17, 2013

Insect bite reactions



REVIEW ARTICLE
Year : 2013  |  Volume : 79  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 151-164

Insect bite reactions


Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Date of Web Publication22-Feb-2013
Correspondence Address:
Sanjay Singh
C-23, Swastik Towers, Lanka, Varanasi-221005, Uttar Pradesh
India
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DOI: 10.4103/0378-6323.107629
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  Abstract 
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods. Insect bite reactions are commonly seen in clinical practice. The present review touches upon the medically important insects and their places in the classification, the sparse literature on the epidemiology of insect bites in India, and different variables influencing the susceptibility of an individual to insect bites. Clinical features of mosquito bites, hypersensitivity to mosquito bites Epstein-Barr virus NK (HMB-EBV-NK) disease, eruptive pseudoangiomatosis, Skeeter syndrome, papular pruritic eruption of HIV/AIDS, and clinical features produced by bed bugs, Mexican chicken bugs, assassin bugs, kissing bugs, fleas, black flies, Blandford flies, louse flies, tsetse flies, midges, and thrips are discussed. Brief account is presented of the immunogenic components of mosquito and bed bug saliva. Papular urticaria is discussed including its epidemiology, the 5 stages of skin reaction, the SCRATCH principle as an aid in diagnosis, and the recent evidence supporting participation of types I, III, and IV hypersensitivity reactions in its causation is summarized. Recent developments in the treatment of pediculosis capitis including spinosad 0.9% suspension, benzyl alcohol 5% lotion, dimethicone 4% lotion, isopropyl myristate 50% rinse, and other suffocants are discussed within the context of evidence derived from randomized controlled trials and key findings of a recent systematic review. We also touch upon a non-chemical treatment of head lice and the ineffectiveness of egg-loosening products. Knockdown resistance (kdr) as the genetic mechanism making the lice nerves insensitive to permethrin is discussed along with the surprising contrary clinical evidence from Europe about efficacy of permethrin in children with head lice carrying kdr-like gene. The review also presents a brief account of insects as vectors of diseases and ends with discussion of prevention of insect bites and some serious adverse effects of mosquito coil smoke.

Keywords: Arthropod, bite, insect, mosquito, papular urticaria, pediculosis, permethrin, spinosad

How to cite this article:
Singh S, Mann BK. Insect bite reactions. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2013;79:151-64

How to cite this URL:
Singh S, Mann BK. Insect bite reactions. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol [serial online] 2013 [cited 2013 Apr 17];79:151-64. Available from: http://www.ijdvl.com/text.asp?2013/79/2/151/107629

 In this article
   Abstract
  Introduction
   Epidemiology in ...
  Mosquito Bites
   Hypersensitivity...
   Eruptive Pseudoa...
  Skeeter Syndrome
   Papular Pruritic...
  Black Flies
  Blandford Flies
  Horse Flies
  Louse Flies
  Tsetse Fly
  Midges
  Bugs
  Fleas
  Thrips
  Papular Urticaria
  Pediculosis
   Insects as Vecto...
  Acknowledgment
   References
   Article Figures
   Article Tables



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