Insect and spider bites often cause minor swelling, redness, pain, and itching. These mild reactions are common. They may last from a few hours to a few days. Home treatment is often all that's needed to relieve the symptoms of a mild reaction to common stinging or biting spiders and insects, such as fleas, flies, and mosquitoes.
Some people have more severe reactions to bites or stings. Babies and children may be more affected than adults are.
Examples of problems that are more serious include:
Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:
You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) may include:
A severe reaction can be life-threatening. If you have had a bad allergic reaction to a substance before and are exposed to it again, treat any symptoms as an emergency. Even if the symptoms are mild at first, they may quickly become very severe.
Symptoms of infection may include:
Pain in adults and older children
Pain in children under 3 years
It can be hard to tell how much pain a baby or toddler is in.
Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system's ability to fight off infection and illness. Some examples in adults are:
Shock is a life-threatening condition that may quickly occur after a sudden illness or injury.
Adults and older children often have several symptoms of shock. These include:
Shock is a life-threatening condition that may occur quickly after a sudden illness or injury.
Babies and young children often have several symptoms of shock. These include:
You may need a tetanus shot depending on how dirty the wound is and how long it has been since your last shot.
Sudden tiny red or purple spots or sudden bruising may be early symptoms of a serious illness or bleeding problem. There are two types.
Petechiae (say "puh-TEE-kee-eye"):
Purpura (say "PURR-pyuh-ruh" or “PURR-puh-ruh”):
Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.
Based on your answers, you need emergency care.
Call 911 or other emergency services now.
Sometimes people don't want to call 911. They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 911 for medical transport to the hospital.
Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.
Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.
Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.
Most bites and stings will heal on their own. Here are some things you can do at home.
Move away from the stinging or biting insect. Bees will alert other bees, making them more likely to sting.
Movement makes venom spread faster in the bloodstream.
If you were stung by a bee and the stinger is still in the skin, remove the stinger as soon as you can.
If you were stung on the arm or leg, lower the limb at the time of the sting. This can slow the spread of venom. Hours later, if you have swelling, you can prop up the limb to help reduce swelling.
After contact with a puss caterpillar, remove broken-off spines. Do this by placing cellophane tape or commercial facial peel over the area of the contact and pulling it off.
If you were stung by a scorpion, see a doctor right away. There is now a medicine (antidote) for scorpion stings.
These medicines may not be safe for young children or for people who have certain health problems. Before you use them, check the label. If you do use these medicines, always follow the directions about how much to use based on age and, in some cases, weight. You may need to check with your doctor about using these medicines.
Some people try a home remedy, such as putting witch hazel or underarm deodorant on the bite. Home remedies haven't been proven scientifically to help. But they usually won't hurt you if you want to try them.
Signs of infection include:
Call a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms during home treatment:
You can reduce your or your child's chances of being stung and having a subsequent allergic reaction by preventing or avoiding exposure to the stinging insects.
Pay special attention to areas where stinging insects may be present, such as woods, orchards, flower gardens, picnic areas, or near trash containers or old buildings.
When eating outdoors, don't put your picnic out until you are ready to eat, and repack food as soon as you are finished serving. If you attend an outdoor event, keep away from the food serving areas and trash containers.
Some stinging insects may be attracted to them. Clothing in a single neutral light color such as white, beige, or khaki is less attractive to stinging insects.
Avoid going barefoot or wearing sandals or open-toed shoes. Wear closed shoes, socks, and clothes that fully cover your body. Button long sleeves, tuck long pants inside boots, and wear gloves when you are gardening. Avoid loose clothes that might entangle a biting or stinging insect.
Do this before putting it on or taking it indoors.
Don't swat or flail your arms. Move away slowly unless you are being pursued.
Choose one that works specifically on the types of insects that you or your child is allergic to. Read labels carefully—many general-purpose insecticides for home and garden use are not effective against common stinging insects.
Consider having the inspection and removal done by a professional insect exterminator. Keep in mind that stinging insects are valuable in the environment, and it is generally not effective or desirable to control them over a wide area.
Do not allow decaying fruit to accumulate, because it may attract bees and wasps.
You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:
Current as of: October 19, 2020
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor MD - Emergency Medicine
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
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