ABSTRACT
Bites and stings are a very common cause of morbidity, and a few cases of mortality are seen throughout the world. The causative agents are also well-known disease vectors worldwide, and personal protection against bites and stings plays a major role in the prevention of disease. Arthropods produce a wide spectrum of clinical lesions. The type and distribution of skin lesions are different for different arthropods. The most often observed lesion is papular urticaria. Bullous lesions are common on the legs but may occur in other sites, especially in children. Hemorrhagic or ulcerated lesions have been reported especially in the presence of lower limb venous hypertension. Cellulitis and lymphangitis may develop. Pseudoangiomatosis-like lesions have been reported. Some beetles, such as Paederus, contain toxins that directly irritate the skin. Brown recluse spider bites are known to cause dermonecrotic reactions. Scorpion bites produce local symptoms in the form of pain, tingling sensation, and paresthesia, and systemic symptoms are out of proportion to cutaneous signs like erythema and edema.
