Venomous Insects and Arachnids

Arthropod-Related Skin Disorders

• Chiggers cause intense itching and dermatitis
• Rat mites cause intense itching and dermatitis
• Grain itch mites cause dermatitis and fever
• Scabies mites burrow into the skin, causing dermatitis (scabies)

Tick-Related Disorders

• Hard ticks cause painful bites, tick paralysis, and can be fatal if not removed
• Soft ticks can be very venomous, depending on the species

Spider-Related Disorders

• Black widow spider bites cause local swelling, intense pain, and occasionally death

Scorpion-Related Disorders

• Scorpion stings cause painful and sometimes fatal reactions

Insect-Related Disorders

• Centipedes inflict painful bites
• Lice cause intense irritation, leading to reddish papules
• Bedbugs are blood suckers, which can be irritating to some people
• True bugs cause painful bites and local inflammation
• Crushed beetles can cause severe blisters on the skin

Other Insect-Related Disorders

• Caterpillar hairs or spines can cause a rash on contact
• Bees, wasps, and ants inflict painful stings, leading to local swelling
• Flies cause painful bites, swelling, bleeding puncture wounds, and myiasis
• Mosquitoes cause irritation

Test your knowledge of insects and arachnids that cause painful bites, stings, and skin conditions. Learn about the symptoms and effects of their venom.