Dermatology New York City
Insect Bites & Stings Insect bites and stings are a very common problem, particularly in the summer months. Bites and stings can be either venomous or non-venomous. Venomous bites and stings usually lead to more severe symptoms. Venom is a chemical used by insects to kill their prey or defend themselves from larger animals. In humans, venom can damage the tissues and lead to significant pain and inflammation. For those who are allergic to the venom, a sting can trigger hives or a more severe reaction called anaphylaxis. Insects with venomous bites or stings include: * Bees, hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets * Fire ants * Scorpions * Spiders One of the most common venomous stings is a bee sting, as shown here: Bee sting reaction, shoulder The most common insect bites are non-venomous. The insects usually bite the skin in search of blood, and may use chemical to numb the site (to avoid being swatted). These chemicals are usually not painful, but they can lead to intense itching. Insects with non-venomous bites include: * Mosquitoes * Fleas * Ticks * Lice * Bed bugs, which can cause a skin reaction that looks like this: Bed bug bites Following a bite, the skin can become red, swollen, and itchy. A small bump may appear that is usually less than half inch wide and may take up to two weeks to heal. Each person reacts to each bite differently. Some people can have significant reactions to mosquito or flea bites, particularly children, while others can be bitten and have no reaction. Complications of Insect Bites Insect bites can sometimes lead to bacterial infections, such as cellulitis, particularly if the wounds are scratched. Try to avoid scratching and keep the area around the bites clean. Sometimes just one or two bites can trigger more widespread bumps that make it appear like there were many bites. This is called papular urticaria. Treatment of Insect Bites Treatment of insect bites and stings is aimed at alleviating the itching and preventing infection. Applying an icepack to the bites for 5 to 10 minutes can help reduce itching and swelling. An antihistamine, such as Benadryl, may alleviate itching. People who are allergic to insect stings may need to use medications, such as epinephrine (Epipen), to avoid anaphylaxis. Prevention These simple steps can minimize the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, ticks and fleas. * Reduce mosquito bites by avoiding being outside during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. * Avoid wooded busy areas with high grass and leaf litter that attract ticks. * Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks to cover ankles and hats. Keep shirts tucked in and buttoned up. * Place “bee traps” around outdoor eating areas. * Spray clothing, shoes, and camping gear with permethrin-containing repellants (Permanone). These repel and kill ticks and mosquitoes, even after several washings. Permethrin should not be applied directly to skin. Although there are many insect repellants on the market, those with 20-35% DEET are most commonly recommended. Products with DEET should not be applied to children under 6 months old. ___________________________________________________________________ This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any health-related questions or concerns. Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician o Site Map
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