Horseflies, also called the green-headed monsters, are small flying insects. Female horseflies feed on blood to reproduce. Like mosquitoes, female horse flies require a protein meal to produce eggs.
Like mosquitoes, horseflies have distinct mouthparts to feed on blood. The mouthparts of horse flies include:
- Scissor-shaped jaw to tear the skin
- Small hooks to help the horsefly lock in to suck better
However, unlike mosquitoes, which puncture and suck blood from their victim’s skin, horseflies tear the victim’s flesh. After using small hooks to lock in, the horse fly sucks blood from the skin. Thus, the saliva injected while biting causes a sharp burning sensation.
The saliva in the skin may also cause inflammation, itchiness, or bruise, around the site.
In some rare cases, a horsefly bite can trigger an allergic reaction, which includes:
- Abdominal pain or vomiting
- Chest pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Face or mouth swelling
- Fainting or lightheadedness
- Rash or skin flushing
What is a horsefly?
Horsefly resembles large house flies. As the name suggests, it most commonly attacks horses, cows, and other livestock. In horses, they may even spread life-threatening diseases, causing potential economic loss. They may even attack humans and pets.
How to treat horsefly bite?
To treat a horsefly bite, you can do the following things:
- Cleanse the area.
- Apply over the counter antiseptic spray or ointment to help clean the wound and decrease irritation and itchiness.
- Take an antihistamine to reduce itching, if necessary.
Check out for signs of infection, such as:
- Increasing redness
- Swelling
- Excessive pus
- Foul odor
- Any other unusual symptoms
You should immediately contact your physician if you observe the above symptoms.
Call 911 or your local emergency care number if you experience these symptoms:
- Trouble breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath
- Swelling anywhere on the face or in the mouth
- Throat tightness or trouble in swallowing
- Feeling weak
- Turning blue
How can I prevent horse fly bites?
Horsefly bites can be extremely painful. Hence, to prevent horse fly bites, you should:
- Avoid places where flies are most active.
- Cover exposed skin by wearing light-colored, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and hats.
- Consider using a repellent effective against horsefly bites. Follow the manual carefully.
- Install window and door screens.
- Clear out piles of rubbish and decaying hay, straw, and other vegetation that attract flies.
QUESTION
What percentage of the human body is water? See AnswerMedline Plus. Insect Bites and Stings. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000033.htm
Washington State Department of Health. Biting Flies. https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Pests/BitingFlies
Top What Happens When a Horse Fly Bites You? Related Articles
camphor
Camphor is an aromatic flammable substance originally distilled from the bark and wood of the camphor tree, Cinnamomum camphora, used as an active ingredient in ointments, camphorated oils and gels, which are topically applied on the skin to relieve local itching (pruritus) or pain, applied on the chest or throat to relieve cough and congestion, or added to steam inhalations to relieve cough. Handle with care and keep away from flame or fire. Consult with your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
diphenhydramine topical
Diphenhydramine topical is a medication applied on the skin for the temporary relief of pain and itching (pruritus) from insect bites, sunburns, and other minor skin irritations. Diphenhydramine topical is available over the counter (OTC) in the form of gels, creams, sprays, and sticks that can be applied locally on the affected area. Diphenhydramine topical is used to relieve pain and itching caused by insect bites, sunburn, minor cuts and scrapes, minor burns and other skin irritations, and rash caused by poison oak, ivy, or sumac. Common side effects of diphenhydramine topical include skin sensitivity to light (photosensitivity), rash, and hives (urticaria).eucalyptus
Eucalyptus oil is used for medicinal purposes, including the common cold, asthma, bronchial infections, skin rashes, insect bites, minor muscle aches or joint pain, and minor skin injuries. Never ingest undiluted eucalyptus oil, even small quantities; it is highly toxic and potentially fatal. Common side effects of eucalyptus include local allergic reactions (redness, burning, irritation), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, drowsiness, shortness of breath (dyspnea), bluish skin (cyanosis), muscle weakness, impaired balance, seizures, and others.
8 First Aid Kit Essentials for Scrapes, Cuts, Bug Bites, and More
Are you always prepared for a first aid crisis? See which basic first aid items to pack to treat minor scrapes, cuts, and stings when you're on the go.rabies vaccine
The rabies vaccine is a viral vaccine administered to prevent or treat rabies, a lethal infectious disease that affects the nervous system. Common side effects of the rabies vaccine include dizziness, headache, feeling unwell (malaise), muscle pain (myalgia), nausea, and abdominal pain. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult with your healthcare provider for rabies vaccination if you are bitten or scratched by a rabid wild or pet animal, or a pet animal whose rabies vaccination status is unknown.
Summer Skin Quiz
When it comes to summer, there plenty of hazards under the sun! Take the Summer Skin Hazards Quiz and clue in on the dangers to your summer skin!witch hazel
Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a tree native to North America. Indigenous Americans have used witch hazel for various conditions including hemorrhoids, sore muscles, insect bites, cuts, rashes, sunburn, and bruises. Common side effects of witch hazel include mild skin dryness, minor skin irritation, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, liver damage, and kidney damage. Do not take witch hazel orally if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.