Understanding which insects to look out for and how to get insect bite relief from itching, swelling and other symptoms can help keep your family safe and healthy.
Jul 23, 2024 4 Minute Read
Whether at home or venturing outdoors, it's important to know how to treat bug bites and find insect bite relief.
Whether you're relaxing at home or getting active outdoors, staying up to date on how to prevent and treat bug bites is a crucial part of enjoying your summer days.
There are several types of insects you may encounter that can cause painful, irritating symptoms or even a severe reaction. Understanding which insects to look out for and how to get insect bite relief from itching, swelling and other symptoms can help keep your family safe and healthy.
Insects and arachnids that bite:
Mosquitos
Chiggers
Fleas
Ticks
Bedbugs
Horseflies
Deer flies
Gnats
Fire ants
Blister beetles
Centipedes
Spiders
Insects that sting:
Bees
Yellowjackets
Hornets
Wasps
While getting bitten or stung can cause mild to severe temporary pain, several potential complications can occur.
Allergic reactions to bug bites occur when the immune system responds abnormally to the saliva or venom of an insect. Individuals who have experienced severe or concerning reactions to insect bites or stings should seek medical attention, and consider carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (available by prescription) in case of a severe allergic reaction in the future.
Mosquito, tick and flea bites can transmit harmful and potentially life-threatening diseases to humans. Flea bites can cause flea-borne typhus and cat scratch fever, while tick bites can lead to Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tick-borne encephalitis. Mosquito bites can transmit the West Nile virus, Zika virus and malaria.
When a bug bite breaks the skin, it creates a pathway for bacteria to enter the body, leading to infection. Signs of infection can include redness, swelling, warmth and pus. An infection can lead to more serious complications, such as cellulitis, if left untreated.
If you've been bitten or stung by an insect, there are several ways to treat bug bites to alleviate painful or irritating symptoms and provide insect bite relief.
Those itchy red bumps are the body's reaction to the insect's saliva. When a bug bites your skin and sucks blood, some of the saliva enters your bloodstream.
To alleviate swelling and itching (and prevent infection), thoroughly wash the area with soap and water, then apply a 1% hydrocortisone cream, diphenhydramine cream or calamine lotion. Additionally, you can take an over-the-counter (OTC) oral antihistamine to help.
If you don't have any of these readily available, make a paste out of baking soda and water and apply to the bite. You can also try wrapping ice in a wet washcloth and holding it to the affected area for about 20 minutes.
The first step is to remove the stinger if it is still in your body. If the tip of it is above the skin, use a cleaned edge of a credit card or another sturdy thin flat surface to glide along the skin and remove it from a 90-degree angle. If you pull at it with tweezers, it can simply snap off and the rest will remain in your skin.
Once the stinger has been removed, wash the area with soap and warm water. Antihistamines and hydrocortisone can help with itching and swelling from the sting. You can use an OTC pain reliever to help alleviate the pain. An ice cube wrapped in a wet washcloth applied to the sting area for about 20 minutes should also help.
If a tick is found attached to the skin, remove it as soon as possible by using fine-tipped tweezers. Pull upward with steady, even pressure and don't twist or jerk while removing, as this may cause the mouth-parts to break off and stay in the skin. If this does occur, remove the parts with tweezers. If unable to remove easily, leave parts alone and allow the skin to heal.
Never crush the tick with your fingers. Dispose of a live tick by placing it in alcohol, putting it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape or flushing it down the toilet. If you're unable to remove the tick, contact a physician.
In rare instances, some people can experience extreme reactions to bites and stings, including anaphylaxis. If you or someone you're with experiences any of the following symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately:
Difficulty breathing or swallowing anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours afterward
Muscle pain or cramping
Fever
Severe reactions are most common with bee, wasp or fire ant stings. Reactions to other insect bites are rare, seeing as other insects don't produce venom.
Though uncommon, if you're bitten by a black widow spider, seek immediate medical attention.
With that all in mind, we hope you have a bite-free, sting-free summer season!
These articles are intended for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and are not intended to treat or cure any disease. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in these articles. Advances in medicine may cause this information to become outdated, invalid, or subject to debate. Professional opinions and interpretations of scientific literature may vary. Consult your healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, exercise or medication regimen.
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