Symptoms of Insect Bites

• Insect bites usually cause a small red bump.
• Often, it looks like localized hives (one large one or several small ones).
• Sometimes, a small water blister occurs in the center of the bump.
• Itchy Insect Bites. Bites of mosquitoes, chiggers (harvest mites), fleas, and bedbugs usually cause itchy, red bumps.
• Painful Insect Bites. Bites of horseflies, deer flies, and gnats usually cause a painful, red bump. Fire ants, harvester ants, blister beetles, and centipedes also cause a painful, red bump. Within a few hours, fire ant bites can change to blisters or pimples.

Cause of Insect Bite Reaction

• The skin bumps are the body's reaction to the insect's saliva.
• While the bug is sucking blood, some of its saliva gets mixed in.

Anaphylaxis With Insect Bites: Very Rare

• A severe life-threatening allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis.
• The main symptoms are trouble breathing and swallowing, starting within 2 hours of the sting. Onset is often within 20 minutes.
• Anaphylaxis can occur with bee, yellow jacket, wasp, or fire ant stings. Anaphylactic reactions are very rare after other insect bites. Reason: other insects don't have venom.

Problems Caused by Insect Bites

• Impetigo is a local bacterial infection. Gives sores, soft scabs and pus. Caused by scratching or picking at the bites. More common in itchy bites.
• Cellulitis. The bacterial infection spreads into the skin. Gives redness spreading out from the bite. The red area is painful to the touch.
• Lymphangitis is a bacterial infection that spreads up the lymph system. Gives a red line that goes up the arm or leg. More serious because the infection can get into the bloodstream (called sepsis). Needs urgent exam and treatment.

When to Call for Insect Bite

Care Advice

Treating Insect Bites

What You Should Know about Insect Bites:

• Most insect bites cause a red bump. Some are larger (like a hive). Some have a small water blister in the center. These are normal reactions to an insect bite.
• A large hive at the bite does not mean you have an allergy.
• The redness does not mean the bite is infected.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Itchy Insect Bite Treatment:

• Steroid Cream. To reduce the itching, use 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid). No prescription is needed.  Put it on 3 times a day until the itch is gone.
• If you don't have hydrocortisone, use a baking soda paste until you can get some.
• If you don't have either option, apply ice wrapped in a wet washcloth for 20 minutes.
• Also, you can put firm, direct, steady pressure on the bite. Do this for 10 seconds to reduce the itch.  A fingernail, pen cap, or other object can be used.
• Allergy Medicine. If the bite is still itchy, try an allergy medicine, such as Benadryl. No prescription is needed. This may help.
• If Benadryl is needed for more than a few days, switch to a long-acting allergy medicine, such as Zyrtec.

Painful Insect Bite Treatment:

• Soak a cotton ball in a baking soda solution. Rub the bite with it for 15 to 20 minutes. Do this once. This will usually reduce the pain.
• You can also use an ice cube wrapped in a wet washcloth for 20 minutes.
• To help with the pain, take an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol). Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil). Use as needed but do not take more than the maximum dosage as listed on the package. If you are not sure what to take, ask a pharmacist.
• For painful bites, allergy medicines don't help.

Antibiotic Ointment for Infected Bite:

• If the insect bite has a scab on it and the scab looks infected, use an antibiotic ointment. An example is Polysporin. No prescription is needed. Use 3 times per day. Note: usually impetigo is caused by scratching with dirty fingers.
• Cover the scab with a bandage. This will help prevent scratching and spread.
• Wash the sore and use the antibiotic ointment 3 times per day. Cover it with a clean bandage each time. Do this until healed.
• Caution: for spreading infections (redness or red streaks), you need to be seen.

What to Expect:

• Most insect bites are itchy for several days.
• Any pinkness or redness usually lasts 3 days.
• The swelling may last 7 days.
• Insect bites of the upper face can cause severe swelling around the eye. This is harmless.
• The swelling is usually worse in the morning after lying down all night. It gets better after standing for a few hours.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Severe pain lasts more than 2 hours after pain medicine
• Infected scab not better after 48 hours of antibiotic ointment
• Bite looks infected (spreading redness gets bigger after 48 hours)
• You think you need to be seen
• Your symptoms get worse

Preventing Insect Bites

Prevention Tips:

• Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and a hat.
• If you have been bitten, move away from the area to avoid more bites.
• Avoid being outside when the bugs are most active. Many insects that cause itchy bites are most active at sunrise or sunset. Examples are chiggers, no-see-ums, and mosquitoes.
• Insect repellents that contain DEET are helpful in preventing many insect bites. Read the label carefully.

DEET Products: Use on the Skin

• DEET is a very effective insect and tick repellent.
• Higher strength DEET works longer, but not always better. All DEET over 50% works the same.
• Use the least amount of DEET you need to cover exposed areas of skin.
• Do not use near the eyes or mouth. Do not use on skin that is covered by clothing. Don't put DEET on sunburns or rashes. Reason: DEET can be easily absorbed in these areas.
• Wash it off with soap and water when you come indoors.
• Caution: DEET can damage clothing made of man-made fibers. It can also damage plastics (such as eye glasses) and leather. DEET does not hurt cotton clothing.

Permethrin Products: Use on Clothing

• Products that contain permethrin (such as Duranon) work well to repel insects and ticks.
• Unlike DEET, these products are put on clothing instead of skin.
• Put it on shirt cuffs, pant cuffs, shoes and hats.
• You can also use it on other outdoor items (mosquito screens, sleeping bags).
• Do not put permethrin on the skin. Reason: sweat changes it so it does not work.

Picaridin Products:

• Picaridin is a repellent that is equal to 10% DEET.
• It can safely be put on skin or clothing.

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.




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