Life Hack: How to treat an insect bite and when to visit the doctor
Insect bites here are generally a nuisance more than a medical concern, but with the tick population on the rise, Lyme disease instances are also believed to be increasing.
Summer days in Ireland bring nicer weather, longer evenings, and, unfortunately, more insects that are likely to bite. This is a common complaint but with climate change, insects like midges and ticks are active earlier in the year and remain active later into autumn, with extended breeding and biting seasons thanks to frequent rain and higher humidity. Insect bites here are generally a nuisance more than a medical concern, but with the tick population on the rise, Lyme disease instances are also believed to be increasing.
There are a few insects to be aware of when it comes to bites. Midges are a common sight across the country and while these airborne creatures are tiny they are aggressive biters. Horseflies are another well-known biting insect commonly found in fields and, as the name suggests, around horses. Mosquitoes are probably one of the best-known biting insects in the world and while not terribly common in Ireland they are appearing here more frequently thanks to climate change.
