How to Treat Insect Bites

Although we can try to avoid them, sooner or later, most of us will get stung or bitten by insects. Insect bites can be quite painful and uncomfortable. Learning how to treat these bites and stings can help reduce pain and speed up healing.

Move Away from the Affected Area. Before treating the sting, move to a safe area away from where the sting occurred. Identify the location of the sting and how many stings there are.

• Quickly and calmly move away from the area.

Remove the Stinger. Use your fingernail or a credit card to gently scrape the stinger out of the skin. Avoid using tweezers to remove the stinger, as this may push venom into your skin.

Clean the Wound. Gently wipe the affected area with soap and water. This step will help remove any potential bacteria and reduce the risk of infection.

• Clean the sting carefully to avoid further complications.

Treat the Wound. Apply an over-the-counter antihistamine cream to the sting area. Use a cold compress or ice pack to ease the discomfort.

• Avoid scratching the area, even if it itches. Scratching can cause further irritation.
• Apply over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or ointment twice a day for several days. If the swelling or itching is severe, consider taking antihistamines such as Benadryl or Zyrtec. Do not use both oral and topical antihistamines together.
• For pain, try using over-the-counter pain relievers like Ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen.
• Soak in cool water. Add 14 grams of baking soda to 1 liter of water.

Know the Symptoms of a Sting. Swelling, itching, or pain are common reactions to insect stings. Severe reactions may involve symptoms such as wheezing, nausea, rashes, or difficulty swallowing or breathing.

• Common reactions are uncomfortable but not life-threatening.
• Severe reactions require immediate emergency care.

Monitor the Sting Site Regularly. Keep an eye on the sting area for any signs of worsening. Contact a doctor immediately if you notice any symptoms getting worse or if you suspect the wound is infected.

• Signs of infection include: increased redness, swelling, or pain, blistering or pus drainage, or a spreading rash or streak from the sting site.
• Be especially cautious with stings around the neck and mouth. If swelling occurs, it may lead to suffocation. Seek immediate medical attention if this happens.

Consult a doctor or allergy specialist. Have your doctor examine any allergic reactions caused by insect stings. Understanding the diagnosis from the sting will help you monitor and manage future incidents.

Use an epinephrine injector if you're experiencing a severe allergic reaction. Timely use of an epinephrine injector can halt life-threatening symptoms. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions closely when using epinephrine.

• Only a doctor can prescribe an epinephrine injector.
• Consult your doctor about when you should use an epinephrine injector.
• People with severe allergies should always carry an epinephrine injector when they leave home.
• If you notice signs like chest tightness, swelling of the lips, eyelids, or throat, wheezing, rash, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, confusion, rapid heartbeat, or difficulty breathing, use the epinephrine injector immediately and seek emergency medical help.

Take antihistamines for mild allergic reactions. Take an antihistamine to ease dangerous symptoms like swelling, itching, or redness from insect stings.

• Follow the directions carefully.

Perform first aid for someone experiencing a severe reaction. If you encounter someone with a severe allergic reaction from an insect sting, act immediately. Follow these first aid steps:

• Ask if they have an epinephrine injector and how to use it if necessary.
• Remove tight clothing.
• Lay the person on their side if they are vomiting or bleeding from the mouth.
• Keep the sting site lower than the heart to limit the spread of venom.
• Call emergency services and begin CPR if the person stops breathing or is unresponsive, provided you are trained in CPR.

Wear long sleeves. Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs to reduce exposure to insect stings. While you may still get stung through clothing, it offers better protection than not wearing anything at all.

Avoid wearing bright colors and strong scents. Bright-colored clothing or strong fragrances may attract insects. Opt for neutral-colored clothes and avoid wearing perfume when walking outdoors.

• While insect repellent won't stop an entire colony from attacking, it's still advisable to spray it on your skin when you're at risk of being stung.

Stay vigilant. Look out for nests when walking outdoors. Insect nests can hang from trees or be hidden underground. Pay attention to areas where you notice insects flying or moving around.

• If you spot a threat, avoid it.
• Destroying a nest will provoke the insects to attack.
• Contact an expert to safely remove wasp or hornet nests, or other stinging insect nests.

• If you know you're allergic to insect stings or bites, always carry an epinephrine injector with you.

• Any unusual reactions (other than typical itching, slight swelling, or pain from the sting) should be reported to a doctor immediately.
• Call emergency services and administer epinephrine if available, especially if you have a history of severe allergic reactions such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, eyelids, or throat, dizziness, fainting, confusion, rapid heartbeat, rash, nausea, seizures, vomiting, or if it’s a sting from a scorpion.
• Children under 16 years old should not take aspirin.

• Ice or cold water.
• Baking soda.
• Antihistamines.
• Ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen.