What are the clinical signs of an insect bite reaction?
The most common clinical signs associated with an insect bite reaction include swelling and redness at the site of the bite, “hives” or multiple red, raised swellings over the body, a swollen face or muzzle, difficulty breathing, and vomiting. Some patients will progress to severe respiratory distress and anaphylactic shock. Death rarely occurs. How is an insect bite reaction diagnosed? Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and history. In certain cases blood samples will be analyzed looking for the presence of eosinophils, the immune cell associated with many allergic reactions. In severe cases, electrolyte levels will be monitored and a urinalysis will be performed to evaluate urine output and kidney function. Venomous spider bites such as the brown recluse often have slowly progressing, insidious, clinical signs. Dark, necrotic (dying) tissue lesions that slowly spread are often the only clinical sign. Brown recluse spider bites often ultimately result in systemic shock and can lead
