Insect Bites and Stings
Adults and Teens
Infants and Children
Insect bites and stings are common year round, particularly during summer. Symptoms generally include itching, redness, and pain, but a bite or sting can cause severe allergic reactions in some people. The best way to manage bites and stings is to avoid them; when that fails, there are ways you can deal with them at home.
Can I treat this at home or do I need a doctor?
You should see a doctor right away for an insect bite or sting if:
- you experience difficulty breathing or swallowing, chest tightness, swelling on the face or in the throat, hives, nausea, weakness, abdominal pain, or dizziness. Call 9-1-1 immediately - these symptoms could be signs of a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.
- you have flu-like symptoms such as fever, severe headache or body aches, nausea, or vomiting
- your skin turns purple or starts to blister
- the reaction spreads to a large area (e.g., affects an entire limb)
Home treatment
Non-medication treatment
Avoid infections.
- Clean the site with water and mild soap to remove any dirt or bacteria.
Deal with the itch.
- Use ice or a cool compress to help with the itch. Be careful not to place ice on your skin for more than 15 minutes at a time, as this can cause frostbite. Make a cool compress by soaking a towel in cool water and wringing it so that it is moist but not dripping.
- Avoid very hot water or harsh skin cleansers because these can dehydrate the skin.
Remove the stinger or insect.
- For insect stings (e.g., bees): Gently scrape the stinger with your fingernail or the back of a knife blade. Don't use tweezers because they might puncture the venom sac still embedded in the skin.
- For ticks: Tweezers can remove ticks. Gently grab onto the tick and keep holding it until it lets go of your skin.
Over-the-counter medications
Pain relievers
- Acetaminophen,* ASA (acetylsalicylic acid), or ibuprofen can help reduce pain caused by bites and stings.
Antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine, cetirizine)
- Antihistamines reduce swelling and itchiness. Some antihistamines can also cause drowsiness, so be careful if you're doing activities that require alertness.
Topical medications (applied to the skin)
- Pramoxine is a anesthetic that numbs the bite site and reduces pain. Anti-itch medications for the skin include calamine lotion, zinc oxide, menthol, and camphor. Hydrocortisone can also be used relieve redness, itching, and inflammation
- Gently clean and dry the affected area before applying any topical medications.
These medications come in a variety of forms and strengths. Ask your pharmacist which over-the-counter medication is right for you.
What not to do
Here are some things you should not try and why:
- Don't remove ticks using a lit match or products such as petrolatum or nail polish - these methods don't work and may do more harm than good.
- Do not give acetylsalicylic acid* (ASA, Aspirin®) to people younger than 18 years old because of risk of Reye's syndrome.
* All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
What to expect
Your symptoms should subside in 1 to 2 days.
You should see a doctor if:
- your symptoms have not improved after 1 or 2 days
- you notice any signs of infection: fever; pus, continued swelling, redness, or tenderness at the bite site
- you have swelling in a large portion of your body (e.g., your whole leg)
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