WHAT ARE THESE BLOOD-Sucking “VAMPIRES” DANGEROUS?

If you are going to relax on the river, by the lake, or take a walk in the forest in warm summer weather, you should be on your guard. After all, it is in these places that horseflies nesting territories are located.

Horseflies or gadflies similar to them are rather disgusting insects that not only bite painfully, but can also carry diseases such as tick-borne encephalitis, anthrax, polio and others.  

In addition, females of this species, when bitten, inject the larvae of the African eye worm into the blood, which can lead to severe conjunctivitis and even blindness. But fortunately, this disease is only found in Central Africa.

WHERE DO BIG-EYED BLOOD SUNGS LIVE AND WHAT DO THE BIG-EYED BLOOD SUNGS EAT FOR?

Horseflies are one of the most ancient insects in the world. Their habitat can be forests, meadows, steppes and even deserts. But, as mentioned earlier, most of all they love freshwater reservoirs, because it is here that their larvae develop. 

Outwardly, horseflies resemble giant black flies with a striped chest and a black belly. But most of all, their eyes are striking – disproportionately large with a metallic sheen, as well as dark transverse stripes and spots.

As with all biting insects, only fertilized females feed on blood. They need the victim’s blood to support the life cycle of future offspring. In a few minutes, the expectant mother can drink about 200 ml of blood. This is more than she weighs. The mouth of males is adapted to feed only on plant nectar, so they do not touch living creatures.

To drink as much blood as possible, the female secretes special substances that stop the leakage of fluid at the site of the puncture of the skin. Therefore, traditional Chinese medicine specifically uses horseflies to stop bleeding.

Insects are most active in warm summer weather. Especially when the heat is combined with wind or thunderstorm. They attack everything that moves: horses, dogs, cows, people, and even trains and cars.

HOW TO DETECT A WATER BITE?

This type of vampire is one of the most arrogant in the world. If he sticks to the open area of ​​the skin, then it is simply unrealistic to drive him away. Either you kill him, or he brings his dirty deed to the end.

The bite site looks like this:

· It looks like a scar or cut;      

· The insect’s mouth apparatus resembles scissors, and therefore the wound is very deep;      

· After a bite, the blood immediately coagulates and does not flow;      

· A huge fly attaches to the skin with small hooks located around its mouth;      

· The stung area is red and surrounded by blisters or a rash, resembling hives.      

Immediately after the bite, the victim experiences severe pain and general weakness.

Infection of the wound may not occur immediately. Therefore, it is worth making sure that pus or ichor does not flow out of it. Infection may also be indicated by increased pain and increased swelling. In case of any adverse reactions, you should immediately consult a doctor.

SYMPTOMS OF ALLERGY TO WATER BITE

The main adverse reaction is a gadfly bite allergy. When it occurs, a person feels the following symptoms:  

· dizziness      

· Wheezing;      

· Swelling of the eyes and lips.      

Anaphylaxis is rare but requires immediate medical attention.

The signs of this reaction are as follows:

· Swelling of the tongue and throat;      

· A sharp increase in the size of the face, lips, arms or legs, depending on the site of the bite;      

· Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea      

· Pressure reduction;      

· Difficulty breathing and swallowing.      

In this case, an urgent injection of adrenaline is required.

PREVENTION OF GREEN BITES AND BLINDINS

You already know the habitats of horseflies, but if you really want to breathe forest air or cool off in a lake or river, you should follow the following rules:  

1. Wear closed clothing;  

2. Do not take off your shoes;  

3. Avoid walking on tall grass;  

4. Don’t look or smell like a bright flower;  

5. Before diving into the water, carefully examine the territory for horseflies nesting;  

6. Use repellents containing 50% diethyltoluamide (DEET).  

TREATMENT OF GIRL BITES

With a gadfly bite, the same treatment is prescribed as with bites of other blood-sucking insects. Namely:

• do not comb the wound to avoid infection;
• clean the bite with soap and water. when doing this, use a clean cloth or cotton wool. if they are not at hand, you can treat the wound with clean crumpled plantain, dandelion or onion juice;
• apply a cold compress or ice pack for 10 minutes;
• take antihistamines.

The gadfly does not leave behind a sting that needs to be pulled out, but, unlike the bites of other insects, these “vampires” more traumatize the skin, which makes it difficult to avoid infection. Therefore, it is very important to see a doctor in time to prescribe the necessary treatment.