Bug Bite or Sting

Who's At Risk?

Insect bites and stings are a problem in all regions of the world for people of all ages. In the Midwest and East Coast regions of the US, mosquitoes, flying insects, and ticks account for most bites. In drier areas of the Western US, crawling insects are more of a problem.

There is no proven effect of race or sex in terms of bite reactions. However, some individuals clearly appear more attractive to insects, perhaps related to body heat, odor, or carbon dioxide excretion.

Severe allergic reactions to stings occur in .5–5% of the US population.

Signs & Symptoms

Insect bites usually present as small, itchy red bumps. Occasionally, blisters may occur at the site of bites or stings. In very sensitive individuals, flea bites may be topped by tiny blisters. In some situations and in some locations, such as the lower leg or shin, large blisters can occur. Some insects, such as fire ants, are known to cause a painful and itching pustule.

Flying insects tend to choose exposed areas not covered by clothing, while some bugs (such as fleas) focus on the lower legs. Bedbugs prefer the head and neck area, often biting several times in the same area and leaving a group of lesions.

Common reactions to arthropod stings include:

• Redness, pain, and swelling
• Severe reactions such as facial swelling, difficulty breathing, and shock (anaphylaxis)
• Fever, hives, and painful joints (though these reactions are not as common)

Very few spiders cause severe reactions. The black widow spider may cause only a mild local reaction at the bite site, but pain, stiffness, chills, fever, nausea, and abdominal pain may follow within a few hours. Similarly, the brown recluse spider may cause a marked skin reaction after a few hours, with redness, pain, blistering, and ulcers forming, as well as fever, nausea, and fatigue.

Self-Care Guidelines

For stings:

• Bees may leave a stinger behind.
  • Try to gently scrape off the stinger with a blunt object, such as a credit card.
• Wash the wound with soap and water.
• Apply an ice pack or cold water for a few minutes.
• Take acetaminophen for pain and an antihistamine (diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine) for itching, as needed.

For insect bites:

• Wash with soap and water.
• Apply cool compresses.
• Use antihistamines to relieve itching and take acetaminophen for pain.
• 1% hydrocortisone cream may help reduce the itching but is usually not as effective as a prescription-strength topical corticosteroid such as triamcinolone acetonide.

For ticks (still attached):

• Using tweezers, grasp the tick as near the skin as possible and pull firmly until it releases.
  • Swab the area with alcohol or soap and water.
  • Save the tick for identification, if needed.
  • Wash the area with soap and water, then apply 1% hydrocortisone in anticipation of any reaction.

Treatments

Depending upon the type of insect bite and reaction, your primary care giver might treat you in the following manner.

For insect bites:

• Prescription topical corticosteroids
• Muscle relaxants, pain medicines, antivenom, antibiotics, and sometimes local surgery to relieve venomous insect bites

For stings:

• Antihistamines or corticosteroids
• Epinephrine, antihistamines, corticosteroids, intravenous fluids, and oxygen (for anaphylaxis)
• Injectable epinephrine, for those with known severe allergic reactions
• Immunotherapy to reduce the chance of repeated severe reactions

Visit Urgency

Some arthropod bites/stings are more dangerous than others. If a black widow or brown recluse spider bite is suspected, apply ice to the area and seek medical help. Symptoms of these bites include:

• A deep blue or purple area around the bite, often with a surrounding white area and a red outer ring
• Abdominal pain
• Headache
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Muscle stiffness

If the site of a tick bite develops a red, swollen, spreading area, seek medical help to check for Lyme disease.

When dealing with stings, be sure to watch out for symptoms such as:

• Hives, itching, or swelling in areas beyond the sting site
• Swelling of the lips or throat
• Tightness in the chest or difficulty breathing
• Hoarse voice or tongue swelling
• Dizziness or loss of consciousness

Trusted Links

• MedlinePlus: Insect Bites and Stings
• Clinical Information and Differential Diagnosis of Bite or Sting, Arthropod (Insect Bites)

References

ean L., ed. Dermatology, pp.1333-1337. New York: Mosby, 2003.

Freedberg, Irwin M., ed. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine. 6^th ed, pp. 2289-2291, 2295-2298. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.