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Gnat bite in the eye: first aid, treatment
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025

Summer is a wonderful time, the holiday season. Heat, sun, sea, fresh air – and it seems that nothing can spoil such a wonderful pastime. But not a midge bite in the eye! This can become a serious problem that entails many problems and inconveniences, and sometimes can cause serious complications.
Reaction to a midge bite in the eye
Most often, an allergic reaction develops when bitten by a midge. It can vary in severity and speed of reaction development. The reaction can appear within a few minutes after the bite, or after a few days or even weeks. The severity of the reaction can vary - from mild irritation, redness, urticaria to severe anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema.
How long does a midge bite to the eye last?
A midge bite can last from 2 to 15 days, depending on the sensitivity of the body, the degree of its senbilization, the state of the immune system, hormonal background, and allergization of the body. Also, the speed of the reaction can be affected by the current state of the body, in particular, the frequency of the person's illness, chronic, latent and current diseases, the presence of a bacterial or viral infection.
Swelling after a midge bite in the eye
Edema develops as a reaction to enzymes that enter the eye with an insect bite. Edema is often accompanied by severe itching, irritation, and tissue compaction. An inflammatory process, purulent-septic inflammation, may also develop. The most dangerous is Quincke's edema, which is constantly progressing and can lead to suffocation.
A midge bite on a child's eye
If a child is bitten in the eye by a midge, it is necessary to take measures to provide first aid as quickly as possible. It is necessary to give the child antiallergic (antihistamine) drugs that will reduce the allergic reaction of the body, normalize its current condition, and prevent the development of edema and the progression of the reaction.
If a child has a tendency to allergic reactions, there is a risk of developing progressive edema, including Quincke's edema. A systemic reaction of the body may also develop: an increase in body temperature, the development of general malaise, chills, a decrease in the body's protective reserves. In turn, a violation of the immune system can lead to a sharp violation of the body's homeostasis, the development of dysbacteriosis. As a result, various diseases develop, including diseases of the throat, nasopharynx. Rhinitis and rhinosinusitis often develop against the background of a midge bite.
Another danger is that complications can affect the eye. First of all, conjunctivitis develops - an inflammatory disease of the mucous membrane of the eye. At first, inflammation develops against the background of an allergic reaction, then an infection can join, which will lead to the development of a purulent-septic process.
Treatment for a midge bite in the eye
If a midge has bitten you in the eye, first of all you need to remove the sting from the eye, any remains of the insect, its secretions. After that, you need to rinse the eye with plenty of clean, preferably sterile water. Distilled water or water for injections are well suited. If you don’t have any at hand, ordinary boiled water will do. Then you need to put any eye drops in the eye.
Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-allergic drops are best. This is only first aid. In the future, you must definitely see a doctor, undergo an examination and undergo the necessary course of treatment, which will help avoid complications.
Help with a midge bite in the eye
First aid consists of washing the eye from poisons and enzymes that got into the eye with an insect bite. Then it is necessary to put anti-inflammatory or antiseptic drops in the eye, which will help prevent the development of complications, including infection, inflammation, suppuration. Then it is necessary to contact a doctor who will prescribe treatment. Often, treatment includes a course of eye drops or eye ointment. If necessary, systemic drugs are prescribed: these can be anti-inflammatory, antihistamines.
How to relieve swelling after a midge bite in the eye?
Swelling can be relieved with eye compresses and various medications. These can be eye drops and ointments. Also, with severe swelling, antiallergic and antihistamine drugs are prescribed, which have a systemic effect on the body.
Remedies for midge bites in the eye
For midge bites, you can use various commercial products that can be purchased at a pharmacy. Most often, they are sold at the pharmacy in the form of sprays, ointments, which are applied to various parts of the body, including the face. You can also use herbal, homeopathic, and phytopreparations.
Let's look at some herbal decoctions that are recommended for use as lotions, compresses, and eye washes.
Various herbal infusions, which include several plants at once, have proven themselves well. Preparing infusions and decoctions from them is quite simple: take a few spoons of grass and pour 1-2 glasses of boiling water over it. Then cover tightly with a lid, leave for 30-40 minutes. After that, strain and drink throughout the day.
- Recipe No. 1. For severe swelling, irritation, and at the initial stage of conjunctivitis, use a mixture of licorice root, chamomile, violet, fennel seeds, and carrot seeds. Use it as a decoction. To prepare, take the plant components in equal parts and pour boiling water over them.
- Recipe No. 2. For swelling of the mucous membrane of the eye, drooping eyelids, use a collection of quinoa, strawberry tendrils and fennel.
- Recipe No. 3. Eye washing is also done using a decoction of star anise leaves, clover and licorice root.
- Recipe No. 4. For swelling and suppuration of the eyes, use a collection of lily of the valley, marsh wild rosemary, coltsfoot, chamomile and calendula.
- Recipe No. 5. Herbal collection with a decoction of corn silk, elecampane, lemon balm, chamomile leaves.
- Recipe #6. For severe eye pain, redness and irritation of the mucous membranes, conjunctivitis, use a mixture of aloe leaves, eucalyptus, valerian, cloves. To eliminate inflammation, burning, itching, it is recommended to add fennel fruits and licorice root.
- Recipe #7. For severe burning, lacrimation, and swelling of the mucous membrane of the eye, it is recommended to use a decoction of pine needles, marsh reeds, and plantain. You can also add birch buds.
- Recipe #8. For allergic reactions, inflammations and suppurations, which are accompanied by an allergic component, swelling of the mucous membranes, use a collection of licorice root, string, chamomile, horsetail. In case of a long-term illness, you can add immortelle and elecampane to the collection. For inflammatory diseases, severe swelling, which spreads through the nasolacrimal canal to the throat and nasopharynx, add sage and lavender to the collection.
- Recipe #9. For a protracted illness, use a mixture of hop cones, string, and horsetail. If swelling and suppuration of the bite site progresses against the background of decreased resistance, fatigue, and loss of strength, add rose hips, immortelle flowers, or hawthorn fruits.
Recipe #10. For dry mucous membranes of the eye, burning, irritation, use a collection of coltsfoot, plantain leaves, licorice root. If the condition is prolonged, you can add horsetail grass.
Lotion for midge bites in the eye
Lotions can be used against a bite. To do this, you need to prepare a solution in advance that will be used as a means for lotions. This can be a solution of medicinal preparations, ready-made solutions for lotions and eye washes, and you can also prepare the remedy yourself. Herbal decoctions and homeopathic remedies are well suited.
Chamomile has anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, antipyretic effects, quickly eliminates inflammatory and infectious processes. It is used for inflammation of the mucous membranes, normalizes the activity of the lacrimal glands, and washes the nasolacrimal canal.
Peppermint, hyssop or lemon balm are members of the same family. They are used separately as a mono-decoction or as part of a mixture. Excellent diaphoretics that stimulate mucous membranes and various receptors. These plant components are rich in phytohormones, flavonoids. This allows you to quickly eliminate inflammatory processes, relieve swelling, redness, irritation. It is recommended to take only women, since these plant components contain a large number of female hormones, which negatively affects the health of men.
Hawthorn is an excellent anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agent used to treat various diseases. It contains a large number of vitamins and microelements, due to which metabolic processes in the body are quickly normalized, and the mucous membranes are restored. Hawthorn is especially useful for pregnant women and nursing mothers, as it additionally stimulates milk production, normalizes metabolic processes, and stimulates the production of immunoglobulin A, which is responsible for the normal functioning of the mucous membrane. It relieves allergy symptoms and swelling.
Calendula officinalis (marigold) is used in the form of decoctions, infusions, promotes abundant lacrimation, reduces inflammation and local temperature, prevents the development of infectious and inflammatory processes, prevents the formation of purulent exudate. Calendula contains a large amount of vitamins, saturates the body with vitamins and nutrients.
Ointments for midge bites in the eye
A special eye ointment can be used, which is placed behind the eyelid. The ointment is bought ready-made at the pharmacy or prepared in the pharmacy according to an individual prescription. Eye ointment cannot be prepared at home on your own, since its production requires sterile conditions. When storing, it is also necessary to keep the packaging hermetically sealed and sterile. The ointment is placed behind the eyelid. In this case, sterile sticks or a special tip that comes with the ointment are used.
Eye drops for midge bites
For a midge bite, first of all, use sterile water to wash the eye. Then, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and antibacterial ointments may be required. Drops such as Vial have proven themselves well (helps to moisturize the eye, relieve inflammation). Levomycetin drops contain a light antibiotic (levomycetin) and, accordingly, have an antiseptic, antibacterial effect, and also relieve inflammation. You can reduce an allergic reaction and normalize intraocular pressure using Albucid.
Folk remedies for midge bites in the eye
Traditional medicine has many recipes that allow you to quickly get rid of the consequences of a midge bite. Most often, eye compresses are used, and rinsing is carried out. When applying compresses, a cotton pad or bandage is soaked in a previously prepared decoction or solution, lightly squeezed out and applied to the eye. It is necessary to lie down with the compress for at least 30 minutes. As it dries, the cotton pad can be replaced or re-wetted.
A sterile pipette is used for rinsing. The liquid is poured behind the eyelid and allowed to drain. After the procedures, it is recommended to lie down for at least 10-15 minutes.
Knotweed (bird's knotweed) is used to treat swelling and inflammation after a midge bite. It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, reduces inflammation, swelling and hyperemia of tissues. It restores the mucous membrane of the eye, promotes the formation of tear fluid, natural wetting and washing of the eye. Due to the high content of vitamin C, essential oils and glycosides, it stimulates local immunity, provides a general strengthening effect. When taken orally, it also has a general strengthening, tonic effect on the body, increases endurance and resistance.
St. John's wort is used in the form of decoctions and infusions for lotions and washes. The rhizome and roots are used. It is used to treat almost any inflammatory and edematous diseases, including conjunctivitis. It quickly relieves swelling and inflammation, soothes, and restores the mucous membrane of the eye.
Sweet clover is used in the form of decoctions and infusions for lotions and washes. The tops of the shoots with leaves and flowers are used. The plant is poisonous, so it should be taken with caution. Quickly relieves swelling, softens irritated mucous membrane. Prevents the development of purulent and inflammatory processes, prevents the development of infection.
Common clove is used to treat inflammatory processes. It relieves symptoms of intoxication, swelling, inflammation and irritation of the mucous membrane. It is used in the form of decoctions and infusions. Cloves can also be used internally, as they have a systemic effect on the body. It helps relieve inflammation, including from the eye. It eliminates nasal congestion and inflammation of the mucous membrane.
Chokeberry is used as an anti-inflammatory, decongestant and pain reliever. It is often used for eye washes, lotions, compresses. Chokeberry also has an antimicrobial effect, effective against both bacteria and viruses. This prevents the development of infection and prevents the development of the inflammatory process.
It is easiest to cure a midge bite in the eye with the help of herbal decoctions, since they contain a large number of active components and have a prolonged effect.
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