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May 19, 2023 · An insect bite happens when a non-venomous bug pierces your skin and feeds on your blood. A sting is what happens when an insect injects poison (venom) into your skin. If you’ve been bitten...
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- Insect Sting Allergies
What Are the Symptoms of an Insect Sting Allergy? How Common...
- Convulsions
- Overview
- Pictures of different bites and stings
- Types of biting and stinging insects and arachnids
- What causes reactions to bites and stings?
- Who is at risk of bites and stings?
- What are the symptoms of a bad reaction to bites and stings?
- Which diseases are caused or spread by insects?
- Diagnosing bites and stings
- Treating bites and stings
- What’s the long-term outlook?
The initial contact of a bite may be painful. It’s often followed by an allergic reaction to venom deposited into your skin through the animal’s mouth or stinger. The appearance can vary.
Whether you’re in the water, on a mountain trail, or in your backyard, wildlife you encounter have ways of protecting themselves and their territory.
Insects, such as bees, ants, fleas, flies, mosquitoes, and wasps, and arachnids, such as spiders, ticks, and scorpions, may bite or sting if you get close. Most of these animals won’t bother you if you don’t bother them, but knowing what to look for is key.
Most bites and stings trigger nothing more than minor discomfort, but some encounters can be deadly, especially if you have severe allergies to the animal’s venom.
A severe allergic reaction can happen with any bug bite or sting, depending on the person. Venom allergies may cause a dangerous, severe allergic reaction in some people, resulting in swelling, generalized itching, and difficulty breathing.
Signs of an emergency
Mosquito bites
•A mosquito bite is a small, round, puffy bump that appears soon after you’ve been bitten. •The bump will become red, hard, swollen, and itchy. •You may have multiple bites in the same area. Read full article on mosquito bites.
Fire ant stings
•Fire ants are small, aggressive, red or black venomous ants that bite and then deliver painful stings. •Stings appear as swollen red spots that develop a blister on top. •Stings burn, itch, and last up to a week. Read full article on fire ant stings.
Flea bites
•Flea bites are usually located in clusters on the lower legs and feet. •The itchy, red bumps are surrounded by a red halo. •Symptoms begin immediately after you’re bitten. Read full article on flea bites.
Biting insects, arachnids, and other bugs
Many bugs bite, but only a few do so intentionally. Most bites are relatively harmless, leaving just an itchy patch of skin behind. But some bites can carry disease. Deer ticks, for example, typically carry Lyme disease. Intentional biters include: •ticks •chigger mites •scabies mites •bedbugs •fleas •head lice •pubic lice •horseflies •black flies •mosquitoes •pus caterpillars •kissing bugs •deer flies Many larger insects and other bugs won’t seek you out but will bite if handled.
Spiders
Some spiders have venomous fangs. Venomous spiders found in the United States include: •brown recluse spiders •black widow spiders •mouse spiders •black house spiders
Stinging insects
Insects will sting humans only to defend against a perceived threat. Typically, a sting from a bee or stinging ant will be accompanied by a small amount of venom. When injected into your skin, the venom causes most of the itching and pain associated with the sting. It can also cause an allergic reaction. Common stinging insects in the United States include: •bees •paper wasps (hornets) •yellow jackets •wasps •fire ants
The venom injected into your body from the bite or sting of an insect or arachnid will cause your immune system to respond. Often, your body’s immediate response will include redness and swelling at the bite or sting site.
Minor delayed reactions include itching and soreness.
If you’re very sensitive to an animal’s venom, bites and stings can cause a potentially fatal condition called anaphylactic shock. This can cause the throat to tighten and make breathing difficult or cause low blood pressure.
Anaphylactic shock is considered an emergency, and 911 or local emergency services should be contacted.
Anyone can be bitten or stung by an insect or arachnid, and bites and stings are very common. You’re at greater risk if you spend a lot of time outdoors, especially in rural or wooded locations.
Children and older adults may have more severe reactions to bites and stings.
If you’re bitten or stung, you may see or feel the animal on your skin during the attack. Some people don’t notice the animal and may not be aware of a bite or sting until one or more of the following symptoms emerge:
•swelling
•redness or rash
•pain in the affected area or in the muscles
•itching
•heat on and around the site of the bite or sting
While not every insect bite or sting can cause an infection or disease, some insects can transmit diseases this way.
These insects and the diseases they may transmit can include:
•Mosquitos: insect-borne diseases such as malaria, West Nile virus, dengue fever, yellow fever, and several viruses that cause encephalitis
•Fleas: bacterial infection, rarely
•Flies: insect-borne diseases
•Sand flies: leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease, though cases occur tropical and subtropical environments
Many people are aware they’ve been bitten or stung because they see the insect or arachnid shortly after the attack.
Although you shouldn’t further provoke an attacking insect or arachnid, try to preserve the animal if it dies following the bite or sting. Its identity may help a doctor properly diagnose your symptoms.
The majority of bites and stings can be treated at home, especially if your reaction is mild.
To treat a bite or sting:
•Remove the stinger if it’s lodged in your skin.
•Wash the affected area.
•Apply an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling.
Topical anti-itch creams, oral pain relievers, and antihistamines may be used to combat uncomfortable symptoms.
Most bites and stings heal by themselves after several days of mild discomfort.
Monitor the affected site for signs of infection. Contact a doctor if the wound appears to be getting worse or hasn’t healed after several weeks.
Bites and stings that cause severe reactions can be fatal if they aren’t treated immediately.
Once you’ve experienced a severe allergic reaction, a doctor will likely prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector. Epinephrine is a hormone that can prevent anaphylactic shock.
Carry the auto-injector with you at all times to reverse the reaction immediately following a bite or sting.
If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here.
- Marissa Selner
- Garlic. Several days before you take a camping or hiking trip into bug-filled territory, start eating garlic. Have a clove or two every day. As you sweat out the garlic odour, it repels many insects.
- Milk. If your skin feels like it’s burning up from too much sun exposure or if itchy bug bites are driving you crazy, try using a little milk paste for soothing relief.
- Salt. For relief from the itching of mosquito and chigger bites, soak the area in salt water, then apply a coating of lard or vegetable oil. Here are 6 Ways to Avoid Getting Bitten By a Zika Virus Mosquito.
- Olive Oil. It’s so satisfying to watch birds enjoying the garden bath you provide. But unfortunately, that still water is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Nov 7, 2024 · If you’re not having a severe reaction to an insect bite or sting, figuring out what bit or stung you can help you determine the best first aid steps to follow. Honeybees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, and fire ants are common stinging insects.
- Daniel More, MD
Apr 10, 2024 · Most insect bites and stings are mild and can be treated at home. They might cause itching, swelling and stinging that go away in a day or two. Some bites or stings can transmit disease-causing bacteria, viruses or parasites.
Sep 13, 2023 · Urgent Care. Health & Wellness. Bug bites and stings are a common but irritating part of life, especially during warmer months. The vast majority of bites and stings cause mild symptoms and go away within a few days. But some require medical attention and may even be life-threatening.
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Jul 11, 2023 · What Are the Symptoms of an Insect Sting Allergy? How Common Are Insect Sting Allergies? Treatment if You’re Not Allergic. 5 min read. If you get stung by a bee, wasp, yellow jacket,...
