A black fly bite can have serious consequences. Recognizing and treating it early on can in turn prevent damage to health.
Bremen – In the warm summer months, some insect species can cause unpleasant symptoms. Whether mosquitoes, wasps or hornets – many people want to avoid these species at all costs and know how to protect themselves both in their own four walls and outdoors.
What is probably less known is that the black fly also poses a threat to humans. Instead of stinging, she bites. The consequences can still be serious. How do I recognize a bite and how do I protect myself against it?
| insect | black fly |
| species | over 2400 |
| species in Germany | 50 |
| Size | 2 to 6 millimeters (Source: Onmeda.de) |
Blackflies live in humid areas – and prefer grazing animals
At first glance, the black fly looks more like a fly than the health portal Onmeda reported. However, as the name suggests, they are mosquitoes. Compared to its relatives, the bite of a black fly is significantly more unpleasant than the sting of one Mosquito, which is nevertheless considered the most dangerous animal in the world. In Germany around 50 species of black flies would live from April to September. There are more than 2,400 species of blackflies worldwide.
Unlike mosquitoes, however, black flies would not be as prevalent indoors as Mosquitoes, which are currently causing a plague in Croatia. Accordingly, the Diptera prefer particularly wet areas such as rivers, lakes and wet meadows. In addition, grazing animals are their preferred victims.
“Like a small abrasion”: black flies bite to get at the protein
Black flies belong to the so-called ectoparasites, i.e. parasite species that attack their host from the outside. Because with the bite, the female black flies want to get at the protein in the skin for the production of their eggs. The eggs themselves would be laid by the black flies in still waters.
Nevertheless, it would not be uncommon for people to be bitten by the black fly outdoors. Opposite the health portal Onmeda explained Sven Klimpel, parasitologist, infection biologist and professor at the Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main: “It looks like a small abrasion”.
Blackfly Bites: Allergic Reactions and Vectors of Disease
First of all, the bite, which is probably about with the Bite from a poisonous Nosferatu spider is comparable, unnoticed. “Most people only notice it when they have an allergic reaction, which can be very severe,” says Klimpel. Loud information of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) black fly saliva contains proteins that can be responsible for an allergic reaction. This can lead to symptoms such as severe itching, redness, swelling and skin rashes.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Blackflies are also known to be disease vectors in some parts of the world. The most common disease transmitted by black flies is river blindness (onchocerciasis), which is caused by the parasite Onchocerca volvulus. The disease can cause serious eye damage, which can lead to blindness.
This is how to treat and prevent a black fly bite
In addition, bites of black flies in some cases lead to bacterial infections. By scratching the itchy bite, bacteria could get into the wound and cause an infection. To treat a black fly bite, those affected should disinfect the wound and cool it for the first few hours.
A doctor should be consulted or called immediately if there are signs of infection or an allergic reaction. Long clothing in humid areas is the most effective way to prevent a bite. In addition, conventional mosquito control agents against the black fly could also be used.