How to Identify Insect Bites

There are countless insect species worldwide capable of biting or stinging when given the chance to approach humans, and you'll likely come across them multiple times in your life. Insects may bite or sting when provoked or when they feel threatened. Initially, the bite might not hurt, but usually, an allergic reaction to the venom injected by the insect into the skin will follow. Identifying insect bites helps you find the most effective way to treat symptoms and remain alert for more serious risks. Learning to identify insect bites accurately is essential in choosing the right way to respond.

Think back to where you were bitten. Each insect species has different hiding spots, so you can identify which insect bit you based on the circumstances you were in at the time.

• If you were outdoors, especially in areas with plenty of trees, you might have been bitten by a mosquito, tick, or spider.
• If you were near food or trash, you could have been bitten by a fly or stung by a bee.
• If you were inside, sitting still or playing with a pet, fleas are likely the culprits.
• In the United States, scorpions are found only in the southern or southwestern regions, particularly Texas and Arizona. A scorpion sting is extremely painful and is often easy to identify.
• If you were in the southeastern United States and bitten by an insect resembling a fly, but the bite feels like a mosquito sting, it might be a deer tick.
• If you were bitten in bed, it’s probably a bed bug that got you.
• If you were on the beach, especially in the southeastern United States, you might have been bitten by a sand flea.

Look for small, red, itchy bumps. This is the most common symptom you'll see when you've been bitten by an insect, and based on other symptoms, it may indicate bites from different insect species.

• A single bump might be a result of a mosquito bite or fly bite. You may notice a tiny dot in the center of a mosquito bite bump.
• Flea bites usually appear as small, itchy bumps grouped together. You'll often notice these bumps around areas where clothing fits tightly, such as around the waist.
• Bed bug bites are red, swollen, and itchy, sometimes blistering, and typically appear in two or three rows.

Watch for swelling. Other types of insect bites or stings often cause swelling in the surrounding skin.

• Fire ant bites will swell (up to 1.3 cm) and may become pus-filled. The bites can blister after a few days.
• A scorpion sting might swell and redden the skin, causing pain or numbness in the area. Scorpion stings can be extremely dangerous, often causing severe illness in most victims. Call emergency services immediately if you suspect a scorpion sting.

Examine the stings from honeybees and wasps. These stings will immediately cause a sharp pain or burning sensation followed by swelling. The swelling will have a red outline (similar to a mosquito bite) with a small white spot where the stinger entered the skin. The surrounding skin may also swell. Honeybees leave their stinger in the wound.

• If stung by a honeybee, you must remove the stinger. A honeybee will die after stinging because the stinger detaches from its body. Don’t leave the stinger in your skin. You can use a credit card to scrape the stinger out of the sting. Avoid using tweezers, as they may accidentally push the stinger deeper.
• Other insects such as hornets, yellowjackets, mud daubers, and bumblebees don’t leave their stinger behind when they sting. If you don’t see a stinger left behind, you may have been stung by one of these insects. These insects can sting multiple times.

Check for ticks. Tick bites are usually bright red and painless, so you might miss them if you don't inspect carefully. You can often spot the bite with the tick still attached. Most tick bites are harmless, but many ticks carry dangerous diseases such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Be cautious if you notice a tick bite.

• When a tick attaches to you, remove it as soon as possible. Use tweezers to grip the tick close to its head and pull it out—don’t twist, as that may cause the tick’s head to break off and stay embedded in your skin. Don’t leave the head or any part of the tick in your skin. When removing a tick, use tweezers, not other methods such as Vaseline, matches, or nail polish remover.
• If you can’t remove the tick’s head, it might be deeply embedded in the skin. In this case, contact a doctor for help removing it.
• Monitor the area for a rash in the shape of a bullseye, which is a sign of Lyme disease. Seek medical attention immediately if this occurs.
• Always check for ticks after spending time outdoors in areas with heavy vegetation or tall grasses. Ticks prefer dark, warm places, so inspect your body thoroughly. They may be as small as a dot, so you might need a magnifying glass.
• Tick paralysis is a rare condition caused by the female tick’s neurotoxin, which can cause temporary paralysis. This usually affects pets and children under 10 years old, and the condition will resolve once the tick is removed.

Check for lice. Lice are commonly found on the neck, scalp, and behind the ears. Their bites look like red bumps on the head. You may see lice and their eggs in the hair. If you have lice, wash your hair with an over-the-counter lice shampoo and wash all clothes and bedding that might have been exposed.

• Do not use lice shampoos if you are pregnant. Consult your doctor to find the best method for lice removal.
• For women who cannot use chemicals, an overnight coconut oil mask can also be an effective way to treat lice.

Distinguishing Dangerous Spider Bites. Spider bites differ slightly from those of other insects and require a different approach to treatment. Look for one or two bites with a tiny puncture mark and two fang marks (a sign of a black widow spider bite) or bites that change color to blue or purple, starting to form a deep ulcer (a sign of a brown recluse spider bite). If you notice these signs, contact a doctor immediately. Additionally, less dangerous spider bites may resemble insect stings.

• A black widow spider bite may cause a sharp pain, but it could also be painless. Look for fang marks, swelling, and tenderness at the bite site. Symptoms to watch for include muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, and even convulsions.
• The bite may become infected and swollen, accompanied by pus.

Identify the insect that bit you. Most insect bites cause pain and you'll recognize them right away. When bitten, try to locate the insect, take a photo, or collect the insect's dead body if it's no longer alive. This will help you or your doctor identify which insect bit you and determine the appropriate course of action.

• Do not attempt to catch a live insect. There's a high chance it will bite you again.
• If the insect is dead, tape it carefully to prevent damage and bring it to a professional for identification.

Wash the affected area with soap and water. This step helps clean the bite and prevent infection. Avoid applying any creams or medications to the bite before thoroughly cleaning the area.

Apply anti-itch cream if the bite causes itching. Look for over-the-counter antihistamine products such as Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton. Avoid scratching the bite, as this can lead to infection.

• Topical creams, gels, and lotions can help soothe itching, especially products containing pramoxine or Benadryl.

Reduce Swelling. Apply a cold compress by soaking a piece of cloth in cold water or wrapping ice in a towel and pressing it against the swollen area. If possible, elevate the affected area to reduce blood flow to the wound.

Treat Hives. Red, raised, and itchy bumps may develop due to an allergic reaction to an insect bite. You can treat hives with antihistamine medication or topical steroid creams.

• Do not scratch the bumps, as this can leave scars or cause infection.

How to Handle an Allergic Reaction. Some insect bites can trigger an allergic reaction, which can be dangerous. Symptoms of a severe reaction may include: hives, rashes, swelling in the throat or tongue, and difficulty breathing. This is an emergency situation, so call 115 or head to the emergency room immediately. If available, use an EpiPen, as anaphylactic shock can be life-threatening.

Seek Medical Attention. Symptoms such as itching and swelling usually subside quickly in most cases. However, if the symptoms persist or worsen, it's advisable to contact a doctor to ensure no serious reactions occur.

• If you suspect or know that you've been bitten by a scorpion, seek medical care immediately.

Watch for Symptoms of Other Illnesses. While the bite itself may not be harmful, many insects carry dangerous diseases. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever; mosquitoes can carry the West Nile virus and encephalitis, which can be transmitted to humans. Pay attention to additional symptoms such as fever, body aches, and nausea. These symptoms are often signs of more serious conditions.

• Most insect bites and stings cause temporary skin irritation, which typically resolves on its own. Unless you're allergic to certain insect bites, only a few species of venomous spiders and insects will cause alarming reactions.
• When searching online for ways to identify insect bites, results may not include spider bites. Spiders belong to the arachnid class, not the insect class. If you suspect a spider bite, search specifically for "spider bite" to help identify the species.
• Avoid provoking insects, as doing so can lead to them attacking in self-defense.
• When outdoors, use insect repellent and wear protective clothing, such as long pants and long sleeves.
• Sweet foods and garbage can attract bees, flies, and other insects, so it's best to stay away from these items.

• If you discover a bedbug bite, it's best to call a pest control service to handle the situation.
• If you're allergic to insect bites or stings, consider wearing a medical alert bracelet and always carry an emergency epinephrine injection (EpiPen). Make sure your friends or family know how to use the EpiPen in case you go into shock and cannot administer it yourself.
• If you experience difficulty breathing, throat swelling or itching, or trouble swallowing, immediately call emergency services or go to the emergency room. These symptoms may indicate anaphylactic shock.