Insect bites - Arthropods

Arthropods

Table 15.1 lists some of the ways in which arthropods affect the skin. Only a few can be discussed here.

Insect bites

The skin changes are partly a result of the injection of pharmacologically active substances, and partly of sensitization to injected antigens. 

A wheal may appear within a few minutes, to be followed by a firm itchy persistent papule, often with a central haemorrhagic punctum. Bullous reactions are common on the legs of children. The diagnosis is usually obvious; when it is not, the term papular urticaria is sometimes used.