Nose Injuries and Disorders—Insect Bites and Stings

Also called: Bug bites

Most insect bites are harmless, though they sometimes cause discomfort. Bee, wasp, and hornet stings and fire ant bites usually hurt. Mosquito and flea bites usually itch. Insects can also spread diseases. In the United States, some mosquitoes spread West Nile virus. Travelers outside the United States may be at risk for malaria and other infections.

To prevent insect bites and their complications

• Don’t bother insects
• Use insect repellant
• Wear protective clothing
• Be careful when you eat outside because food attracts insects
• If you know you have severe allergic reactions to insect bites and stings (such as anaphylaxis), carry an emergency epinephrine kit

• Anaphylaxis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Bee poison (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Fire ants (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Fleas (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Insect bites and stings (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Wasp sting (Medical Encyclopedia)

Also called: Nasal disorders

Your nose is important to your health. It filters the air you breathe, removing dust, germs, and irritants. It warms and moistens the air to keep your lungs and tubes that lead to them from drying out. Your nose also contains the nerve cells that help your sense of smell. When there is a problem with your nose, your whole body can suffer. For example, the stuffy nose of the common cold can make it hard for you to breathe, sleep, or get comfortable.

Many problems besides the common cold can affect the nose. They include

• Deviated septum – a shifting of the wall that divides the nasal cavity into halves
• Nasal polyps – soft growths that develop on the lining of your nose or sinuses
• Nosebleeds
• Rhinitis – inflammation of the nose and sinuses sometimes caused by allergies. The main symptom is a runny nose.
• Nasal fractures, also known as a broken nose

• Choanal atresia (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Foreign body in the nose (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Nasal endoscopy (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Nasal fracture – aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Nasal polyps (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Nose fracture (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Nosebleed (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Stuffy or runny nose – adult (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Stuffy or runny nose – children (Medical Encyclopedia)