Fly bites are a common nuisance, especially during warmer months. While most fly bites are not dangerous, they can be painful and, yes, very itchy. Flies can carry various pathogens, picking them up from unsanitary sources like animal waste, garbage, and even our food. This raises concerns about potential diseases they can transmit.
What exactly does a fly bite look and feel like? Symptoms can differ depending on the type of fly involved, but generally, you can expect pain, itching, swelling, and redness. For instance, a yellow fly bite is notorious for causing a large, intensely itchy welt. Other biting flies include brown flies like deer and sand flies, horse flies, and stable flies.
Some individuals might experience a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, to fly saliva. This article will delve into the world of fly bites, exploring different types, their specific symptoms, effective treatments, and crucial advice on when to seek medical attention.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/mosquito-bite-neck-GettyImages-584572080-2000-c1ef8af36f9f4bacb352f459ecef0201.jpg)
Getty Images
1. Biting Midge Bites: The Tiny Culprits That Cause Intense Itching
Biting midges, often called “no-see-ums,” are tiny, gray, two-winged insects, less than one-eighth of an inch long. You often feel their painful bite before you even spot them. These insects are a significant annoyance, particularly in warm, humid climates. While found across the United States, they are most prevalent in coastal regions, near agricultural areas, or in damp mud, mangrove swamps, and salt marshes.
Symptoms: Intense Itch and Small Red Lumps
Biting midge bites closely resemble mosquito bites: small, red, and intensely itchy lumps. Sometimes, they may even develop into a red welt or blister. It’s the female midge that bites, using her elongated jaw with tiny teeth to pierce the skin and draw blood. These bites are notorious for their burning sting, typically delivered at dusk and dawn, though biting can continue throughout the night, leaving you scratching relentlessly.
Biting midges are known vectors for Mansonella ozzardi, a nematode parasite found in Central and South America and parts of the Caribbean. While most infected individuals show no symptoms, others can develop:
- Edema (swelling)
- Fever
- Headache
- Intense itching
- Skin rashes
- Stiff joints
- Swollen lymph nodes
Treatment: Soothing the Itch and Preventing Infection
To treat biting midge bites and alleviate the intense itching, start by washing the bite area with soap and water. Apply an ice pack for no more than 10 minutes at a time, with 10-minute breaks in between. Over-the-counter oral antihistamines or anti-itch creams can further help reduce itching and discomfort.
Be vigilant for signs of M. ozzardi infection, especially if you’ve traveled to regions where it’s prevalent. If you suspect an infection, consult a healthcare provider who may prescribe ivermectin, an anti-parasitic medication.
2. Black Fly Bites: Dealing with Swelling and Itchy Welts
Black flies are small, dark insects with a humpbacked appearance, sometimes called buffalo gnats. They are widespread in the United States. Although they bite, black flies are not known to transmit diseases in the U.S.
These flies are diurnal, active only during the day, appearing from late spring (April) to early summer (July), particularly near creeks and rivers. Black flies target exposed skin but are adept at getting under clothing, making them persistent biters.
Symptoms: From Puncture Wounds to Golf Ball-Sized Swelling and Itching
Reactions to black fly bites can vary significantly. Some individuals experience only a small puncture wound, while others develop swelling as large as a golf ball, accompanied by intense itching. You might not initially notice the bite until a small scab forms, followed by the development of a large, itchy welt that can persist for days, driving you to scratch.
Some individuals might experience “black fly fever,” a collection of symptoms including headache, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes.
Treatment: Managing Itching and Inflammation
Mild black fly bites, characterized by itching and swelling, can be treated by washing the area with soap and water and applying ice to reduce inflammation and soothe the itch. Oral antihistamines and topical anti-itch creams are effective in minimizing the itching sensation.
Antibiotics are generally not required for black fly fever symptoms, as they typically resolve on their own. Focus on managing symptoms and keeping the bite area clean to prevent secondary infections from scratching.
3. Deer Fly Bites: Painful Bites and Potential Allergic Reactions
Deer flies are aggressive biters, larger than house flies but smaller than horse flies. The USDA describes them as the “premier daylight bloodsucker during the summer.” They are prevalent from June to August, favoring sunny locations and largely disappearing in shaded forests. Common across the United States, deer flies are found near sunny lake edges, trails, and fields. They are daytime feeders, biting any exposed skin, with a preference for the head, so covering up and wearing a hat is advisable.
Symptoms: Sharp Pain, Itching, and Allergic Reactions
Deer fly bites are notoriously painful. These flies possess razor-sharp “lips” that they use to slice open the skin to feed on blood. The bite is immediately felt as a sharp pain, followed by itching and potential swelling around the bite site. Some people can develop a severe allergic reaction to the salivary secretions injected by deer flies while feeding. This reaction can manifest as intense itching, hives, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.
Treatment: Soothing Lotions and Monitoring for Infection
Antihistamines, combined with antiseptic and soothing lotions like calamine lotion, are usually sufficient to manage deer fly bites and relieve the itching. Deer flies are occasional vectors of tularemia, or “rabbit fever.” This bacterial infection is typically treated with antibiotics by healthcare providers. Be aware of flu-like symptoms following a deer fly bite and seek medical attention if concerned.
4. Horse Fly Bites: Painful Stings and Risk of Tularemia
Horse flies earned their name due to being major pests of horses and other mammals. These persistent flies will continue biting until they get their blood meal or are eliminated. They are attracted to dark objects, so wearing light-colored clothing can help reduce your risk of being bitten.
Symptoms: Intense Pain, Itching, and Potential Tularemia
Horse fly bites are extremely painful, delivering a sharp sting upon contact. These bites can also trigger severe allergic reactions in some individuals, characterized by intense itching, swelling, and hives. Although rare, horse fly bites can transmit tularemia, a bacterial infection primarily affecting wild rodents.
Tularemia symptoms typically appear three to five days after a bite and include:
- A red skin spot that develops into a painful sore
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Fever and chills
- Muscle pain
- Shortness of breath
- Stiff joints
- Sweating
- Unexplained weight loss
Treatment: Home Care and Antibiotics for Tularemia
For mild reactions to horse fly bites, home treatment is usually sufficient. Wash the bite area with soap and water, apply ice to reduce swelling and pain, and use over-the-counter medications or creams to alleviate itching. If you develop tularemia symptoms, a healthcare provider will likely prescribe antibiotics like streptomycin or tetracycline. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing tularemia effectively.
5. Sand Fly Bites: Tiny Flies, Itchy Bumps, and Leishmaniasis Risk
Sand flies are incredibly small, about one-fourth the size of a mosquito. They are characterized by large black eyes and hairy wings. In certain regions, sand flies can transmit leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease. Cutaneous leishmaniasis, the most common form, causes painful skin sores.
While leishmaniasis is rare in the United States, most cases are seen in travelers returning from affected countries. U.S. military personnel in the Middle East have frequently encountered sand fly issues, as noted by Dr. James Diaz, a Professor at the Louisiana State University School of Public Health. Occasional cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis have been reported in Texas and Oklahoma.
Symptoms: Itchy Red Bumps and Potential Sores
Sand fly bites typically result in small red bumps and blisters that can be intensely itchy and swollen. In individuals with leishmaniasis, sores may develop at the bite site. These sores can vary in size and appearance over time, starting as bumps or lumps and potentially evolving into ulcers. The itching associated with sand fly bites and leishmaniasis sores can be persistent and bothersome.
Treatment: Symptom Relief and Leishmaniasis Treatment
Mild sand fly bite symptoms can be managed at home with ice, over-the-counter medications, or creams to reduce itching and pain. Washing the bite area with soap and water is important to prevent secondary infections from scratching.
Monitor for signs of leishmaniasis, especially if you have been in areas where it is prevalent. If you suspect leishmaniasis, seek medical advice. Treatment may involve antibiotics or medications containing antimony to eliminate the parasitic infection.
6. Stable Fly Bites: Painful Bites Around the Ankles
Stable flies resemble house flies but deliver a painful bite, earning them the nickname “biting house fly.” They are global pests affecting livestock, pets, and humans. Stable flies typically bite in the early morning or late afternoon and are most abundant during spring and early summer.
Symptoms: Sharp Pain, Minimal Itching
Stable flies commonly target ankles, inflicting a sharp, stabbing pain upon biting. Unlike many other biting insects, stable fly bites are less likely to cause significant irritation or allergic reactions. While the initial bite is painful, the subsequent itching is usually minimal or absent compared to other fly bites.
Treatment: Basic Wound Care and Pain Relief
Treat mild stable fly bite reactions at home similarly to other fly bites. Wash the area with soap and water, apply ice to reduce any potential swelling or pain, and consider oral antihistamines or anti-itch creams if there is any itching. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil) can effectively reduce pain from stable fly bites.
When To Seek Medical Treatment for Fly Bites
Most fly bites can be safely treated at home using topical medications like hydrocortisone cream or oral antihistamines to relieve itching. However, some bites can become severe, especially if you are allergic to fly saliva or if the fly transmits a disease.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as:
- Abdominal and chest pain
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Skin changes like rash or flushing
- Swelling of the face and mouth
- Vomiting
When To Get Emergency Medical Attention
Call emergency services (911 in the US) immediately if you have any of the following severe symptoms:
- Feeling of throat tightness or difficulty swallowing
- Blue lips or skin
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Swelling of the face or mouth
- Weakness
- Wheezing
A Quick Review: Managing Fly Bites and Itch Relief
Fly bites, while often annoying and itchy, usually resolve on their own with time and home treatment. You can typically manage fly bites at home with topical medications or oral antihistamines to control the itching and discomfort. Be aware of the potential for allergic reactions or disease transmission, which may require medical intervention, ranging from a visit to your healthcare provider to emergency room care in rare cases. Knowing the type of fly bite and its associated symptoms can help you take appropriate action and seek timely medical help when necessary.
