Summer evenings can sometimes turn into a nightmare. Mosquitoes, wasps, spiders - how do you tell which bug has bitten you? How you can find the best treatment? And how do you get a tick off a person? Here are five common insect bites and what you should do if you have been bitten:

Mosquito bites

Most prevalent in the summer, the inevitable, stinging mosquito bites usually cause an inflammatory reaction characterized by a coin-sized circular redness. It can also result in the presence of a small white pimple surrounded by redness. The itching caused by a mosquito bite can be of different intensity and can last for several days. Bare skin being the most exposed to mosquitoes, one solution is to cover your arms and legs. To protect yourself, it is also advisable to use repellent products available in pharmacies, such as citronella. To relieve the sting, avoid scratching as this could aggravate the wound. Products likely to alleviate itching are also widely available in pharmacies.

Spider bites

Rare in the UK, spider bites can cause different reactions depending on the person concerned. Generally, they cause swelling of the skin, redness and itching. Bites are not all the same; they depend on the type of spider, the toxicity, and our immune reaction. It generally results in two close red dots, usually surrounded by a white border. The spider can bite several times. To relieve them, it is first necessary to disinfect the bite and then apply an anti-inflammatory ointment to deflate the wound. However, beware of allergic reactions.

Tick bites

Ticks are unusual as they remain in your epidermis after having bitten you. If you notice an unusual blackhead on your skin, it is imperative to use a tick remover to remove the unwanted body. You should then disinfect the bite with an antiseptic. Be careful; if the tick has not been removed correctly, part of its body may remain under your skin, a red spot forming around the affected area. To avoid any infection, it is then necessary to go to a doctor to have the tick removed. Since tick bites generally occur during walks in the countryside or the forest, you should choose long and loose clothing to avoid any bites. Thoroughly inspect your body (and your dog's!) after each walk in search of any unwanted blackheads.

Wasp stings

Excruciatingly painful because of the injected venom, wasp or bee stings cause redness and blistering of the skin. A red dot may also appear where the insect stuck its stinger. It is advisable to remove the stinger from the wound and then clean the sting with an antiseptic. It is then possible to apply a cream to soothe the pain. Be careful; allergic reactions can be severe. In such cases or during bites in sensitive areas of the body (throat, mouth, nose, eyelids, etc.), it may be necessary to consult a doctor or head straight to A and E.