Gadfly bite: treatment and consequences

How dangerous are gadflies for humans?

Males do not bite - their mouth is adapted only for collecting and consuming flower nectar. Female mammals need the blood of mammals to breed offspring - only fertilized individuals bite. They inject a special substance into the wound that blocks the flow of blood from it, and lays eggs in it. Usually cattle become the incubator for its offspring. Humans are very rare. This can be explained by severe pain during the bite. The female pierces the skin and tries to climb into the wound to lay eggs. This process does not take a second, the bitten person has time to react and drive away the fly biting him. The only exception is the abundance of gadflies, which are difficult to fight off, and an unconscious state (sleep or severe intoxication).

For humans, a gadfly bite is dangerous due to an acute allergic reaction, infection of the wounds and parasitism of larvae in them. The latter develop for several weeks, after which they leave the body through the initial puncture. All this time they give the wearer a lot of unpleasant sensations. Even if the gadfly simply bit, without having time to lay eggs in the wound, the latter is very disturbing.

The resulting itching inevitably leads to scratching. In a hot and humid climate, even the smallest wound is a favorable environment for thousands of microbes. In addition, gadflies are carriers of tick-borne encephalitis, anthrax, polio and a host of infectious diseases.

What types of gadflies exist?

There are a huge number of types of this parasite. Experts agreed to subdivide them according to their habitat. Each type of larvae has its own characteristics. Some of them are dangerous for the owner and his body. There are 4 types of parasites: subcutaneous and cutaneous, cavitary and gastric.

The first type is dangerous for both humans and animals. If treatment is not timely, disastrous consequences can occur.

The second type is characteristic of the bull gadfly. It is, of course, not dangerous like the first type, but still, if this happens, boils form on the body of a person or animal. In addition, severe pain appears. Pus may then be released.

The cavity type is most common in goats. The larvae are first found in the nostril, and then penetrate the respiratory tract.

Gastric botfly most often occurs in horses. It develops in their stomach, and then moves to the tongue and gums. Pustules form there.

How does a gadfly bite manifest?

Horseflies have a very powerful blood-sucking apparatus and saliva that is aggressive to humans. It is impossible not to feel the burning pain of the bite. Gadflies have their own tactics of attacking people. As a rule, one distracts the victim by flying in front of him, the second one unnoticed sits on the skin. In most cases, only the moment of the bite is noticeable. They attack large animals in flocks. Swatting a horsefly is not enough - it is attached to the skin with the help of small but very tenacious hooks located near the mouth. If it gets on your skin, it will still finish its job. Its blood-sucking mechanism is designed in such a way that once the skin is punctured, it is no longer possible to stop the blood sucking process.

Obvious symptoms of a gadfly bite include the following.

Wound. Due to the fact that the insect's mouth resembles scissors, the cut is quite deep and wide. After tightening, it resembles a scar.
Edema. It forms immediately around the wound with a characteristic nodule on the skin, quickly grows and thickens.
No bleeding. Gadfly saliva contains substances that promote rapid blood clotting.
Itching. The bite of a gadfly itches very much, which often leads to the growth of the lesion and the introduction of a secondary infection.
Redness. The hyperemia is clearly expressed, which leaves no doubt about the authorship (mosquitoes and other biting insects do not leave such traces).
Strong pain. It is caused by gnawing through the skin.
Sensation of movement under the skin. It is created by larvae hatching from eggs.
Spasms, convulsions. They can manifest themselves both in the bitten limb and in other parts of the body.
Increased blood pressure. The jump is caused by pain, shock and nervous tension.

Swelling when bitten by a gadfly indicates infection and/or larvae entering the wound. Swelling can occur both directly when the skin is perforated, and during subsequent scratching. Your own immunity is usually enough to overcome the consequences of a gadfly attack. The danger is posed by a secondary infection that penetrates the wound when scratching and laying eggs - the bite of a gadfly itches very much.

If there are larvae in the wound...

If the female managed to lay eggs and larvae hatched from them, the consequences are more serious than just a bite. The brood under the skin can be identified by its characteristic features.

The swelling takes on a bluish tint that lasts 1-2 weeks.
In the center of the edema there is a core with a purulent focus.
Deterioration of general health and manifestation of intoxication: weakness, nausea, fever.
Pain and swelling in the areas where the larvae are located.
A feeling of movement under the skin, the appearance and disappearance of tubercles - wandering larva syndrome.

The most unpleasant consequence of a gadfly bite is the addition of parasitic diseases: genitourinary, intestinal, and skin.

What harm can the larvae under the skin cause?

The larva of the gadfly contributes to the development of dermatobiasis, which is an obligate myiasis. This disease is characterized by the formation of nodes under the skin, near the worm that has dug into them, which fester and become inflamed.

The place where the parasite has entered is similar to a mosquito bite. Over time, this area becomes inflamed, irritated and painful. The diameter of the subcutaneous formation reaches 3 cm; its shape is similar to a boil, from which pus is released.

It is worth noting that the larva can invade any part of the human body - the foot, upper limb and even the head. But most often it lives in the legs, armpits and back.

In some cases, the larva settles under the mucous membrane of the eye, resulting in ophthalmomyasis, which often ends in complete loss of vision. This condition is accompanied by the following symptoms:

redness;
lacrimation;
painful sensations.

Also, the larva of the gadfly can live in the nose. In this case, the patient experiences a headache, discomfort in the nose, his sense of smell worsens and the septum is destroyed. At the same time, the mucous membrane swells, and worms can crawl out of the nose on their own.

In addition, the larvae sometimes parasitize the mucous membranes of the lips, mammary glands and penis. If multiple invasions occur, the formations spread over a large area of skin.

After 12 weeks, the larvae in the human body mature, crawl out of it and pupate.

Allergy to gadfly sting

Another of the most common consequences is an allergy to the bite of a gadfly. Its saliva is one of the strong allergens. An aggressive reaction to it occurs quite often, even in people who do not suffer from other types of allergies. In its absence, swelling, itching and redness disappear after a few days.

The above symptoms are common to all people. When bitten by a gadfly, the allergy gives an additional reaction, manifested in the following.

Swelling around the bite site.
Swelling of the eyelids, lips, tongue, larynx, limbs and/or face in general.
Increased body temperature.
Hardening of the swollen area.
Weakness, dizziness, decreased blood pressure.
Choking, asthmatic attacks, wheezing.
Nausea, diarrhea, sometimes vomiting.

If any of the above symptoms occur, you should immediately take an antihistamine and consult a doctor. An allergy to a gadfly bite may not appear immediately - it all depends on the dose and nature of the allergen that has entered the blood. It manifests itself especially sharply and quickly in people who already have a history of an allergic reaction to something.

Procedure after a gadfly bite

Direct treatment of a gadfly bite is preceded by first aid. Without it, the consequences are much stronger, and their elimination is longer and more labor-intensive.

First aid

Pressing down.
Immediately after the gadfly bites, press down on its place with any hard object at hand or pinch the skin with a pinching movement of your fingers. This will prevent the rapid spread of allergic contents and reduce pain.
Cold.
Cold water, any metal object, ice and other cool surfaces will do. The purpose of this effect is similar to pressing - to reduce swelling from a gadfly bite, pain, and itching.
Soap.
If you have it on hand, it is good to apply a soap compress to the bitten area. Any toilet or laundry soap is suitable for this. Lather it on a damp cloth and apply it to the bitten area. If it is not available, you can generously soap the area where the gadfly has bitten.
Antiseptic.
How to anoint a gadfly bite? We recommend that you avoid products with a burning and very drying effect. It is best to use a solution of Rivanol 0.1%. Its bottle will not take up much space in your medicine cabinet or purse and will be useful in a variety of situations. Simply wipe the bitten area with a cotton swab or cloth soaked in it.

Carefully! The yellow solution of Rivanol leaves marks on fabric and skin. But this is its only drawback.

IMPORTANT: “Consultation with a physician is required before use”

Gadfly bites usually occur unexpectedly, and most often you have to use improvised means. As first aid in the absence of other means, the juice of a crushed plantain leaf or dandelion stem, chopped onions, a salt or soda solution, and vodka lotions will help. But, these are only first aid measures if it is impossible to use Rivanol.

The above recommendations will help you avoid the rapid growth of swelling from a gadfly bite, prevent secondary infection, and relieve itching and pain. If swelling and/or redness grows beyond 7 cm in diameter, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Appearance of larvae and what they are

The subcutaneous botfly is a large fly approximately 1.3–1.8 cm long. It has a yellow head with large black eyes, a blue belly, orange legs, and transparent wings. The entire body is covered with hairs, which makes the insect look like a bumblebee. The adult does not feed, using the nutrients accumulated by the larva.

Life cycle

The gadfly is an insect that has a closed chain of transformations. The complete development cycle involves the path from the larva to the adult stage. The insect lives from 3 to 20 days. By the end of life, it loses approximately 1/3 of its own body weight. Under unfavorable climatic conditions, it seems to freeze, living on plants. Any life cycles within the insect's body will be slowed down.

Stages of larval development

The gadfly larva will go through 3 stages of formation inside the human body. At all stages it has a characteristic shape:

At stage 1, it looks like a small headless and legless white worm. At the end of the body there is a thickening with 3 black stripes. This stage of formation lasts 7 days, after which it molts and moves on to the next one.
At stage 2, the larva is large in size and bottle-shaped. After 18 days, the insect molts and moves to the next stage.
At stage 3, the gadfly will increase in size. After about a month, it will become an adult and will continue to stay in the host’s body for up to 10 weeks, then it will crawl to the surface of the skin and leave the person, falling to the ground.

Each stage is characterized by small black dots and spikes surrounding the thorax.

Important! The larva will feed on the tissues and fluids of the host’s body, dissolving solid components with dermatolytic special enzymes.

Treatment for a gadfly bite

If first aid was not enough, a clear allergy to a gadfly sting or a collateral infection manifested itself, qualified, comprehensive treatment is required. For children, people with weakened immune systems, and a tendency to allergic reactions, it is a must.

To avoid complications, treatment of a gadfly bite should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. It includes local and systemic therapy. It’s not enough to find something to anoint a gadfly’s bite; you need to neutralize the toxins that have entered the body. Therefore, there is no need to self-medicate - contact your local physician, dermatologist or allergist immediately.

The treatment tactics for a gadfly bite are as follows.

Antihistamine therapy.
If there is a history of allergic reactions, antihistamines already familiar to the patient are recommended. In case of severe swelling and asthmatic attacks, emergency therapy is carried out aimed at removing toxins from the body. The doctor may prescribe injections or droppers aimed at quickly relieving intoxication. In other cases, modern antihistamines are prescribed in tablet form. They block the action of allergens and toxins, providing a long-lasting protective effect.
Anti-inflammatory drugs.
Usually these are ointments for topical use with a pronounced anti-inflammatory and soothing effect. They are based on adrenal steroid hormones (glucocorticosteroids). Many are afraid of their hormonal nature and serious effects on the body due to their high penetrating ability. We recommend lotions based on the pharmaceutical drug Rivanol 0.1% as anti-inflammatory therapy. It is enough to moisten a cotton pad, apply it to the affected area for a few minutes or wipe the bite with it. This needs to be done several times a day.
Surgical intervention.
An allergy to a gadfly bite and ignoring first aid often leads to scratching of the wound and surrounding tissues. All this leads to the entry of a secondary infection. As a result, the scratches begin to fester, and in their place bubbles, bumps, and hardenings form. Along with this, body temperature rises. In such cases, surgical treatment of the gadfly bite is prescribed, followed by antibiotic therapy. The surgeon, under local anesthesia, incises the skin on the inflamed area and manually removes the discharge from the wound. An antiseptic bandage is applied and a course of antibiotics is prescribed.

A gadfly bite provokes not only swelling and itching. It can cause subsequent inflammatory diseases and provoke exacerbation of chronic ones. High-quality prevention will allow you to avoid negative consequences.

How to get rid of gadfly larvae?

The consequences of infection with a gadfly larva are treated by an infectious disease specialist. A visual examination alone is not enough to confirm the diagnosis. An enzyme immunoassay blood test is prescribed. If the test is negative, treatment is carried out as for a gadfly bite. If it is positive, specialized specialists are involved, depending on the location of the parasites. Usually this is a gastroenterologist, otolaryngologist, or ophthalmologist. The course of treatment includes the following activities.

Antibiotic therapy. Drugs are selected individually based on medical history. Along with antibiotics, antiparasitic agents are prescribed.
Removing larvae. They are neutralized with medications or a scalpel.

With any treatment option, the bite site remains a source of infection throughout its entire period. It must be carefully and regularly treated with an antiseptic with an anti-inflammatory effect. The best option is a solution of Rivanol 0.1%, which combines disinfecting and anti-inflammatory properties.

Stages of larval development

The larval stage of the gadfly usually lasts 6-10 weeks. After entering the host’s body, the parasite begins to intensively feed on blood, drawing out useful substances. In a few weeks it increases in size tens of times, and the mature larva reaches 2 cm.

The photo shows a small gadfly larva extracted from a human body.

Having collected the necessary supply of nutrients from the host, the parasite breaks through the skin and crawls out. After this, a new stage of development of the gadfly begins - the pupa. In this phase, the insect arrives for 2-4 weeks, after which it turns into an adult, the life cycle of which is 20 days, the main task of the fly is reproduction.

How to prevent a gadfly bite?

It is impossible to be 100% protected from a gadfly bite in its habitat. The risk of encountering it is highest near farms and grazing livestock. The following recommendations will help to significantly reduce the likelihood of encountering these large biting insects.

Maximum closed clothing near bodies of water. It is impossible to follow this rule on a river or lake beach in the heat. Horseflies are very active near water. Closed equipment is suitable for mushroom pickers, hunters and lovers of country walks.
Only shod feet. In summer, on the beach, this is, again, impossible. When fishing or hiking, exposed areas of the legs are not allowed. Socks in the areas between sneakers (sneakers) and trousers will not help - horse flies land and sting everything that moves. They cannot handle only dense, hard materials.
Avoid walking in tall grass or near grazing livestock. Domestic and wild animals are also attractive to gadflies, just like humans. In the meadow it is better to wear long trousers and rubber boots.
Swimming areas. Choose only beaches approved by the Ministry of Emergency Situations and Rospotrebnadzor. When the beach season opens, public beaches are checked not only for the presence of parasites in the water.
Using repellents. Formulations containing at least 50% diethyltoluamide are especially effective against horse flies.
Rivanol 0.1% to take with you. It does not take up much space, but will allow you to quickly and efficiently treat the wound, preventing itching, swelling and further infection.
In nature, you can protect yourself by treating the area with a pre-prepared solution of ammonia, lemon juice and a mouthwash with a strong strong odor. All they need to do is spray the picnic area. Don’t be lazy – prepare this solution in advance.
The aroma of pine needles, wormwood, and tansy repels parasites.

Bodfly bites are very painful, especially if they are not isolated. They cause subsequent inflammatory and infectious diseases, as well as acute allergic reactions. In case of infection with larvae, the consequences are much more serious. Only the bite itself, the pain and itching from it, are immediately noticeable. Allergies usually appear immediately. The consequences of infection may make themselves felt later - the length of the incubation period matters. 2-3 weeks after the bite, it is no longer possible to establish the true cause of the infection, as well as the factor that provoked the exacerbation of a chronic disease. For this reason, we recommend not to neglect preventive measures and first aid for gadfly bites and consult a doctor promptly in case of swelling and obvious intoxication. Keep a bottle of Rivanol 0.1% in your home and car first aid kit, a universal antiseptic with a pronounced anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effect. It will help out in any situation - immediately after a bite, in the treatment of scratching, suppuration and parasite infestation.