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Insect Bites and Stings
Stings and bites can cause red bumps along with swelling and burning skin, and some cause blisters or welts.
If you experience a minor sting or insect bite, healthcare providers may recommend applying a cool pack to numb the area and soothe itchiness. With some bug bites and bee stings, you can repeat icing every 30 minutes or so until the swelling goes down.
These general guidelines might be fine for everyday nuisance bugs like horse flies, fire ants and common mosquitoes. Medical providers, however, treat insect bites differently depending on the type of bug and the location of the sting.
Caring for Common Insect Bites
Stings and bites can cause red bumps along with swelling and burning skin, and some cause blisters or welts.
Act quickly to care for bites and stings:
- Clean with soap and water. Keep the area clean and dry.
- Use a cold pack to reduce swelling and throbbing.
- If the bite is on a leg or arm, rest with the limb elevated.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers help with itching and inflammation.
Ticks and other bug bites
Ticks can be infected with parasites and bacteria. Some of the most common tick-borne conditions are Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Untreated tick bites can cause long-term health complications such as nerve pain and arthritis.
Did you know there are hundreds of different kinds of creepy crawlies that sting, bite and lay eggs?
- Mites
- Fleas
- Lice
- Horse and deer flies
- Fire ants
- Chiggers
- Hornets
- Bed bugs
- Flies
- Scabies
- Ticks
- Spiders
- Bees
How to treat a bee sting
Most people have only minor reactions to bees, which are insects, but some people experience serious allergic reactions. Anyone who’s highly allergic and gets stung by a bee should seek immediate medical attention.
Even if you’re not allergic, bee stings hurt from the venom they inject into your skin. According to the National Institutes of Health, wasp stings may be the most painful because they can repeatedly sting the same spot.
Spider bites can be dangerous
Many other insect bites also cause redness, pain and swelling, so it’s hard to pinpoint a spider bite – unless you see the insect in action. Then, take a photo so doctors can identify the species later for treatment.
Most spider bites rarely cause permanent problems, but venom from the black widow, brown recluse and hobo spiders can be lethal, especially to pets and children. These bites require immediate emergency care.
When to see a doctor for spider bites:
- Problems breathing and swallowing
- Fever, chills and tremors
- Nausea and body ache
- Painful muscle cramping
- Red, swollen ulcer at the bite
