INSECT BITES & STINGS

 Basic information

description

Insect bites and stings are usually harmless and cause mild symptoms. Less often, they cause serious reactions or infections. Bites or stings can come from insects (having 6 legs), such as mosquitoes, fleas, chiggers, bedbugs, ants, bees, wasps, hornets, or from arachnids (having 8 legs), such as spiders and scorpions.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Redness, swelling, spots, or lumps on the skin. These symptoms may occur within minutes or be delayed.
• Pain, such as from bee stings.
• Itching, such as from mosquitoes or fleas.
• May also feel a burning, tingling, or numbness.
• Rare, severe allergic reaction includes facial swelling, red blotches, wheezing, or shortness of breath.

causes

The symptoms are caused by the body's immune system response to the bite or sting. The response may be immediate or delayed (usually occurs within 48 hours). Stings are most often the cause of allergic reactions. Bites rarely cause an allergic reaction, but can lead to other disorders, such as malaria or Lyme disease. Certain bites or stings (e.g., brown recluse spider bites) carry a toxin that can cause serious complications.

risk increases with

• Areas with heavy insect infestations.
• Warm weather in spring and summer.
• Lack of protective measures.
• Perfumes, colognes.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• If you cannot avoid exposure, apply insect repellents with diethyltoluamide (DEET) to the skin.
• Wear protective clothing. Apply permethrin to clothing to repel insects and ticks.
• Keep yards free of standing water. Use tight-fitting door and window screens.

expected outcomes

Most of the symptoms are mild and go away in 2 to 3 days. Scratching may occur for several weeks. Treatment helps, but it doesn't cure quickly.

possible complications

• A bacterial infection at the site of the bite.
• Anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction) for certain super-sensitive persons.
• Scarring on the skin.
• Disorders carried by certain insects. These include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, West Nile virus, malaria, and others.

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Self-care is often all that is needed for most bites and stings. For severe reaction, get medical help right away.
• Remove stinger. Scrape it out. Don't use tweezers.
• For bee, wasp, yellow-jacket, or hornet stings, rub a paste of meat tenderizer and water into the site.
• For ant bites rub the bite with ammonia; repeat as often as necessary.
• For spider or scorpion bites, capture the insect, if possible, and seek medical help.
• For a tick, use a tweezer to remove it. Put it in a jar with alcohol to kill it. Save it in case more medical problems develop.
• Clean the wound. Apply an ice pack.
• Elevate and rest the affected body part.
• Warm-water soaks help soothe minor pain. Cool-water soaks feel better for itching.
• If you have had a severe allergic reaction following an insect sting, carry a special kit to treat it in the future.

medications

• Use nonprescription products:
  • Topical and oral antihistamines, calamine lotion, or topical anesthetics for itching or pain.
  • Topical steroid drugs to reduce redness, soreness, and itching. Follow instructions on product.
• For serious symptoms, you may be prescribed:
  • Stronger topical steroids or oral steroids.
  • Injection of drugs to treat or prevent anaphylaxis.
• A tetanus shot, if needed, for some patients.

activity

No limits.

diet

No special diet.

 notify our office if

• You or a family member has an insect bite or sting and has a severe reaction. This is an emergency!
• Self-care does not relieve symptoms in 2 to 3 days.
• Fever occurs or skin area becomes red, swollen, tender, or warm. These may be signs of infection.

Special Notes: