Pictures, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

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

Anaphylaxis can be a life threatening emergency. If someone experiences signs of a severe allergic reaction, call 911 or your local emergency services. Anaphylaxis can cause symptoms, including rash, low pulse, and anaphylactic shock. This can be fatal if it isn’t treated immediately.

Was this helpful?

Prevention is the best medicine, so knowing how to recognize and avoid biting and stinging insects or arachnids is the best way to stay safe.

The animals you should recognize and understand depend very much on where you live or where you’re visiting. Different regions of the United States are home to many of these creatures.

The season also matters. For example, mosquitoes, stinging bees, and wasps tend to come out in full force during the summer.

The form a bite takes depends on what type of animal bit you. Take a look at the photos below to help identify which animal may have caused your bug bite.

Warning: Graphic images ahead.

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.

Bedbug bites

• The itchy rash is caused by an allergic reaction to the bedbug bite.
• The small rashes have red, swollen areas and dark red centers.
• Bites may appear in a line or grouped together, usually on areas of the body not covered by clothing, such as the hands, neck, or feet.
• There may be very itchy blisters or hives at the bite site.

Read full article on bedbug bites.

Fly bites

• Painful, itchy rashes are caused by an inflammatory reaction at the site of the fly bite.
• Though usually harmless, they may lead to severe allergic reactions or spread insect-borne diseases.
• Take precautions when traveling to endemic countries by wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants and by using bug spray.

Read full article on fly bites.

Lice bites

• Head lice, pubic lice (“crabs”), and body lice are different species of parasitic lice that affect humans.
• They feed on blood and cause an itchy immune reaction at the site of their bites.
• Adult lice are gray/tan six-legged insects about the size of a tiny sesame seed.
• Nits (eggs) and nymphs (baby lice) can only be seen as very tiny specks that may look like dandruff.

Read full article on lice.

Chigger bites

• Painful, itchy rashes may be caused by an immune response to the bites of tiny mite larvae.
• Bites appear as welts, blisters, pimples, or hives.
• Bites will generally appear in groups and are extremely itchy.
• Chigger bites may be grouped in skin folds or near areas where clothing fits tightly.
• Chiggers tend to jump from grass, so bites are usually on legs near the tops of socks.

Read full article on chigger bites.

Tick bites

• Bites can cause pain or swelling at the bite area.
• They may also lead to a rash, a burning sensation, blisters, or difficulty breathing.
• The tick often remains attached to the skin for a long time.
• Bites rarely appear in groups.
• Ticks can transfer diseases, including Lyme disease, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis.

Read full article on tick bites.

Scabies

• Symptoms caused by scabies mites may take 4 to 6 weeks to appear.
• The extremely itchy rash may be pimply, made up of tiny blisters, or scaly.
• They may cause raised, white, or flesh-toned lines.

Read full article on scabies.

Spider bites

Share on PinterestEzytyper and added inset by B Kimmel/GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0 from Wikimedia Commons

This condition is considered a medical emergency, and 911 or local emergency services should be contacted. Urgent care may be required.

• Most spiders don’t pose a threat to humans, and in such cases, their bites are harmless or mildly irritating like a bee sting.
• Dangerous spiders include the brown recluse, black widow, funnel web spider (Australia), and wandering spider (South America).
• A single raised papule, pustule, or wheal may appear at the site of the bite followed by redness and tenderness.
• The bite will appear as two small puncture marks.
• Severe allergic reactions to a spider bite may require medical attention.

Read full article on spider bites.

Brown recluse spider bite

• This is a shy, brown- or tan-colored spider with a violin-shaped patch and six paired eyes, two in the front and two sets of two on either side of the head.
• It likes to hide in quiet, dark places like closets and bookshelves and is native to the South and South Central regions of the United States.
• Nonaggressive, it will only bite humans if it’s being crushed between skin and a hard surface.
• Redness appears with a central, white blister at the site of the bite.
• Moderate to severe pain and itching at the site of the bite occurs 2 to 8 hours after the spider has injected its venom.
• Rare complications include fever, body aches, nausea, vomiting, hemolytic anemia, rhabdomyolysis, and kidney failure.

Read full article on brown recluse spider bites.

Black widow spider bite

Share on Pinterest© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology/NCBI

This condition is considered a medical emergency, and 911 or local emergency services should be contacted. Urgent care may be required.

• This spider is plump, black, and shiny, with an hourglass-shaped red mark on its abdomen.
• It’s nonaggressive and will only bite if it’s being crushed.
• Bites cause muscle pain and spasms in the arms, legs, abdomen, and back.
• Tremor, sweating, weakness, chills, nausea, vomiting, and headache are other symptoms.
• The bite area is red with a white center.

Read full article on black widow spider bites.

Hobo spider bite

• The venom of this common household spider isn’t considered toxic to humans.
• Bites are generally harmless and cause only minor pain, swelling, and sometimes muscle twitches.
• A single red area appears with a tender central nodule.
• Itching, burning, or stinging may occur at the site of the bite.

Read full article on hobo spider bites.

Wolf spider bite

• This large (up to 2 inches long), fuzzy, gray/brown spider is native to many parts of the United States.
• Nonaggressive, it will bite if it feels threatened.
• A tender, itchy red bump appears that heals in 7 to 10 days.

Read full article on wolf spider bites.

Horsefly bites

• These large (1-inch long) blood-sucking flies are most active in the daylight hours.
• An instant, sharp burning sensation occurs when a horsefly bites.
• Itchiness, redness, swelling, and bruising may also occur at the bite location.

Read full article on horsefly bites.

Bee stings

• Pain, redness, swelling, or itching occurs at the site of the sting.
• A white spot appears where the stinger punctured the skin.
• Unlike bumblebees and carpenter bees, honeybees can only sting once due to their barbed stinger that can remain in the skin.

Read full article on bee sting allergy.

Yellow jacket stings

• These thin wasps have black and yellow stripes and long dark wings.
• Aggressive, a yellow jacket may sting multiple times.
• Swelling, tenderness, itchiness, or redness may occur near the area that’s been stung.

Read full article on yellow jacket stings.

Wasp stings

• Sharp pain, redness, swelling, and itching or burning occurs at the sting site.
• A raised welt appears around the sting site.
• Wasps can be aggressive and are capable of stinging multiple times.

Read full article on wasp stings.

Scorpion stings

• Scorpions are eight-legged arachnids with large pincers and long, segmented, stinger-tipped tails carried in a forward curve over their backs.
• Many species with variable levels of toxicity can be found all over the world.
• Intense pain, tingling, numbness, and swelling occur around the sting.
• Rare symptoms include breathing difficulties, muscle twitching, drooling, sweating, nausea, vomiting, an increased heart rate, restlessness, and excitability.
• Severe symptoms are more likely in infants and children than adults.

Read full article on scorpion stings.

Puss caterpillar stings

• Puss caterpillars may also be known as asp caterpillars, fire caterpillars, woolly slugs, or opossum bugs, and are the larvae of the flannel moth.
• They have venomous barbs on their bodies.
• They typically reside in the Southeast United States but have been found as far west as Florida and Texas.
• A string can cause skin irritation and itchiness, severe pain, and headache.

Kissing bug bites

Share on PinterestHorizons WWP / Alamy Stock Photo & Curtis-Robles et al., CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

• Triatomine bugs, also called kissing bugs, tend to bite people on the face or near the mouth.
• These bugs tend to reside in Mexico, Central America, South America, and parts of the United States.
• They carry a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi and can T. cruzi infection and Chagas disease.
• While there are different varieties of kissing bugs, they typically have a cone-shaped head and a long, oval-shaped body with antennae and six legs. They can be light brown to black in color and may have yellow, red, or tan markings.
• Bite reactions may include mild itching, redness, and swelling. With a T. cruzi infection, a small hard area may form at the bite site.

Read full article on kissing bug bites.

Deer fly bites

Share on PinterestBruce Marlin, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons & juhat/Istock

• Deer flies have small, round heads, brownish-black bands on their wings, and gold or green eyes.
• Their bites can be painful and cause bumps or welts.
• Their bites can sometimes cause a rare bacterial disease known as rabbit fever (tularemia) that may cause skin ulcers, fever, and headache.

Read full article on fly bites.

Here are some bugs that can be more dangerous than others.

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

Scorpions

Scorpions have a reputation for stinging. Many species have barbed tails equipped with venom, some strong enough to kill a human.

The most venomous species of scorpion native to the United States is the Arizona bark scorpion.

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.

Some bites and stings may cause illnesses when venom contains infectious agents.

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
• numbness or tingling in the affected area

Symptoms of a severe reaction requiring immediate medical treatment include:

• fever
• difficulty breathing
• nausea or vomiting
• muscle spasms
• rapid heart rate
• swelling of the lips and throat
• confusion
• loss of consciousness

If you feel ill or experience flu-like symptoms in the days following an insect or arachnid bite, see a doctor for tests to rule out infections or diseases you may have contracted from the animal.

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
• Lice: epidemic typhus, Bartonella quintana infection, and epidemic relapsing fever
• Chiggers: scrub typhus, though most cases occur in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, China, Japan, India, and northern Australia
• Ticks: tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, tularemia, ehrlichiosis
• Kissing bugs: Chagas disease
• Deer flies: tularemia

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.

This is especially important for a spider bite, as some species have dangerously potent venom.

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.

You may also want to consider applying a thin paste of baking soda and water to the sting to calm the itching.

Call 911 or your local emergency services number immediately if symptoms of a severe reaction are present.

First aid instructions while waiting for paramedics to arrive include:

• loosening the victim’s clothing
• laying them on their side
• performing CPR if breathing or the heartbeat stops

If you believe a spider of the black widow or brown recluse variety has bitten you, contact 911 or local emergency services immediately even if symptoms seem minor or haven’t emerged.

Scorpion bites also should be treated as an emergency, and 911 or local emergency services should be contacted, regardless of 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.

Use caution when near nests or hives containing aggressive insects. Hire professionals who have the proper safety equipment to remove a nest or hive.

When spending time outside, take preventive measures, such as:

• wearing hats and clothing that provide full coverage
• wearing neutral colors and avoiding floral patterns
• avoiding perfume and scented lotion
• keeping food and drinks covered
• using citronella or insect repellent
• using permethrin on clothing to prevent black-legged tick bites

Article Resources

• Ellwanger JH, et al. (2021). Variability in human attractiveness to mosquitoes. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X21000522
• Bites and stings: Insects. (n.d.). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/bites-and-stings-insects
• Body lice: Disease. (2022). https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/body/disease.html
• Goldman BS, et al. (2022). Caterpillar and moth bites. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539851/
• McKeown N, et al. (2014). Verified spider bites in Oregon (USA) with the intent to assess hobo spider venom toxicity. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0041010114000920
• Parasites – American trypanosomiasis (also known as Chagas disease). (2022). https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/
• Powers J, et al. (2022). Insect bites. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537235/
• Preventing tick bites. (2020). https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/on_people.html
• Typhus fevers. (2020). https://www.cdc.gov/typhus/index.html

Pictures, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

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

Anaphylaxis can be a life threatening emergency. If someone experiences signs of a severe allergic reaction, call 911 or your local emergency services. Anaphylaxis can cause symptoms, including rash, low pulse, and anaphylactic shock. This can be fatal if it isn’t treated immediately.

Was this helpful?

Prevention is the best medicine, so knowing how to recognize and avoid biting and stinging insects or arachnids is the best way to stay safe.

The animals you should recognize and understand depend very much on where you live or where you’re visiting. Different regions of the United States are home to many of these creatures.

The season also matters. For example, mosquitoes, stinging bees, and wasps tend to come out in full force during the summer.

The form a bite takes depends on what type of animal bit you. Take a look at the photos below to help identify which animal may have caused your bug bite.

Warning: Graphic images ahead.

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.

Bedbug bites

• The itchy rash is caused by an allergic reaction to the bedbug bite.
• The small rashes have red, swollen areas and dark red centers.
• Bites may appear in a line or grouped together, usually on areas of the body not covered by clothing, such as the hands, neck, or feet.
• There may be very itchy blisters or hives at the bite site.

Read full article on bedbug bites.

Fly bites

• Painful, itchy rashes are caused by an inflammatory reaction at the site of the fly bite.
• Though usually harmless, they may lead to severe allergic reactions or spread insect-borne diseases.
• Take precautions when traveling to endemic countries by wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants and by using bug spray.

Read full article on fly bites.

Lice bites

• Head lice, pubic lice (“crabs”), and body lice are different species of parasitic lice that affect humans.
• They feed on blood and cause an itchy immune reaction at the site of their bites.
• Adult lice are gray/tan six-legged insects about the size of a tiny sesame seed.
• Nits (eggs) and nymphs (baby lice) can only be seen as very tiny specks that may look like dandruff.

Read full article on lice.

Chigger bites

• Painful, itchy rashes may be caused by an immune response to the bites of tiny mite larvae.
• Bites appear as welts, blisters, pimples, or hives.
• Bites will generally appear in groups and are extremely itchy.
• Chigger bites may be grouped in skin folds or near areas where clothing fits tightly.
• Chiggers tend to jump from grass, so bites are usually on legs near the tops of socks.

Read full article on chigger bites.

Tick bites

• Bites can cause pain or swelling at the bite area.
• They may also lead to a rash, a burning sensation, blisters, or difficulty breathing.
• The tick often remains attached to the skin for a long time.
• Bites rarely appear in groups.
• Ticks can transfer diseases, including Lyme disease, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis.

Read full article on tick bites.

Scabies

• Symptoms caused by scabies mites may take 4 to 6 weeks to appear.
• The extremely itchy rash may be pimply, made up of tiny blisters, or scaly.
• They may cause raised, white, or flesh-toned lines.

Read full article on scabies.

Spider bites

Share on PinterestEzytyper and added inset by B Kimmel/GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0 from Wikimedia Commons

This condition is considered a medical emergency, and 911 or local emergency services should be contacted. Urgent care may be required.

• Most spiders don’t pose a threat to humans, and in such cases, their bites are harmless or mildly irritating like a bee sting.
• Dangerous spiders include the brown recluse, black widow, funnel web spider (Australia), and wandering spider (South America).
• A single raised papule, pustule, or wheal may appear at the site of the bite followed by redness and tenderness.
• The bite will appear as two small puncture marks.
• Severe allergic reactions to a spider bite may require medical attention.

Read full article on spider bites.

Brown recluse spider bite

• This is a shy, brown- or tan-colored spider with a violin-shaped patch and six paired eyes, two in the front and two sets of two on either side of the head.
• It likes to hide in quiet, dark places like closets and bookshelves and is native to the South and South Central regions of the United States.
• Nonaggressive, it will only bite humans if it’s being crushed between skin and a hard surface.
• Redness appears with a central, white blister at the site of the bite.
• Moderate to severe pain and itching at the site of the bite occurs 2 to 8 hours after the spider has injected its venom.
• Rare complications include fever, body aches, nausea, vomiting, hemolytic anemia, rhabdomyolysis, and kidney failure.

Read full article on brown recluse spider bites.

Black widow spider bite

Share on Pinterest© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology/NCBI

This condition is considered a medical emergency, and 911 or local emergency services should be contacted. Urgent care may be required.

• This spider is plump, black, and shiny, with an hourglass-shaped red mark on its abdomen.
• It’s nonaggressive and will only bite if it’s being crushed.
• Bites cause muscle pain and spasms in the arms, legs, abdomen, and back.
• Tremor, sweating, weakness, chills, nausea, vomiting, and headache are other symptoms.
• The bite area is red with a white center.

Read full article on black widow spider bites.

Hobo spider bite

• The venom of this common household spider isn’t considered toxic to humans.
• Bites are generally harmless and cause only minor pain, swelling, and sometimes muscle twitches.
• A single red area appears with a tender central nodule.
• Itching, burning, or stinging may occur at the site of the bite.

Read full article on hobo spider bites.

Wolf spider bite

• This large (up to 2 inches long), fuzzy, gray/brown spider is native to many parts of the United States.
• Nonaggressive, it will bite if it feels threatened.
• A tender, itchy red bump appears that heals in 7 to 10 days.

Read full article on wolf spider bites.

Horsefly bites

• These large (1-inch long) blood-sucking flies are most active in the daylight hours.
• An instant, sharp burning sensation occurs when a horsefly bites.
• Itchiness, redness, swelling, and bruising may also occur at the bite location.

Read full article on horsefly bites.

Bee stings

• Pain, redness, swelling, or itching occurs at the site of the sting.
• A white spot appears where the stinger punctured the skin.
• Unlike bumblebees and carpenter bees, honeybees can only sting once due to their barbed stinger that can remain in the skin.

Read full article on bee sting allergy.

Yellow jacket stings

• These thin wasps have black and yellow stripes and long dark wings.
• Aggressive, a yellow jacket may sting multiple times.
• Swelling, tenderness, itchiness, or redness may occur near the area that’s been stung.

Read full article on yellow jacket stings.

Wasp stings

• Sharp pain, redness, swelling, and itching or burning occurs at the sting site.
• A raised welt appears around the sting site.
• Wasps can be aggressive and are capable of stinging multiple times.

Read full article on wasp stings.

Scorpion stings

• Scorpions are eight-legged arachnids with large pincers and long, segmented, stinger-tipped tails carried in a forward curve over their backs.
• Many species with variable levels of toxicity can be found all over the world.
• Intense pain, tingling, numbness, and swelling occur around the sting.
• Rare symptoms include breathing difficulties, muscle twitching, drooling, sweating, nausea, vomiting, an increased heart rate, restlessness, and excitability.
• Severe symptoms are more likely in infants and children than adults.

Read full article on scorpion stings.

Puss caterpillar stings

• Puss caterpillars may also be known as asp caterpillars, fire caterpillars, woolly slugs, or opossum bugs, and are the larvae of the flannel moth.
• They have venomous barbs on their bodies.
• They typically reside in the Southeast United States but have been found as far west as Florida and Texas.
• A string can cause skin irritation and itchiness, severe pain, and headache.

Kissing bug bites

Share on PinterestHorizons WWP / Alamy Stock Photo & Curtis-Robles et al., CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

• Triatomine bugs, also called kissing bugs, tend to bite people on the face or near the mouth.
• These bugs tend to reside in Mexico, Central America, South America, and parts of the United States.
• They carry a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi and can T. cruzi infection and Chagas disease.
• While there are different varieties of kissing bugs, they typically have a cone-shaped head and a long, oval-shaped body with antennae and six legs. They can be light brown to black in color and may have yellow, red, or tan markings.
• Bite reactions may include mild itching, redness, and swelling. With a T. cruzi infection, a small hard area may form at the bite site.

Read full article on kissing bug bites.

Deer fly bites

Share on PinterestBruce Marlin, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons & juhat/Istock

• Deer flies have small, round heads, brownish-black bands on their wings, and gold or green eyes.
• Their bites can be painful and cause bumps or welts.
• Their bites can sometimes cause a rare bacterial disease known as rabbit fever (tularemia) that may cause skin ulcers, fever, and headache.

Read full article on fly bites.

Here are some bugs that can be more dangerous than others.

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

Scorpions

Scorpions have a reputation for stinging. Many species have barbed tails equipped with venom, some strong enough to kill a human.

The most venomous species of scorpion native to the United States is the Arizona bark scorpion.

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.

Some bites and stings may cause illnesses when venom contains infectious agents.

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
• numbness or tingling in the affected area

Symptoms of a severe reaction requiring immediate medical treatment include:

• fever
• difficulty breathing
• nausea or vomiting
• muscle spasms
• rapid heart rate
• swelling of the lips and throat
• confusion
• loss of consciousness

If you feel ill or experience flu-like symptoms in the days following an insect or arachnid bite, see a doctor for tests to rule out infections or diseases you may have contracted from the animal.

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
• Lice: epidemic typhus, Bartonella quintana infection, and epidemic relapsing fever
• Chiggers: scrub typhus, though most cases occur in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, China, Japan, India, and northern Australia
• Ticks: tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, tularemia, ehrlichiosis
• Kissing bugs: Chagas disease
• Deer flies: tularemia

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.

This is especially important for a spider bite, as some species have dangerously potent venom.

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.

You may also want to consider applying a thin paste of baking soda and water to the sting to calm the itching.

Call 911 or your local emergency services number immediately if symptoms of a severe reaction are present.

First aid instructions while waiting for paramedics to arrive include:

• loosening the victim’s clothing
• laying them on their side
• performing CPR if breathing or the heartbeat stops

If you believe a spider of the black widow or brown recluse variety has bitten you, contact 911 or local emergency services immediately even if symptoms seem minor or haven’t emerged.

Scorpion bites also should be treated as an emergency, and 911 or local emergency services should be contacted, regardless of 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.

Use caution when near nests or hives containing aggressive insects. Hire professionals who have the proper safety equipment to remove a nest or hive.

When spending time outside, take preventive measures, such as:

• wearing hats and clothing that provide full coverage
• wearing neutral colors and avoiding floral patterns
• avoiding perfume and scented lotion
• keeping food and drinks covered
• using citronella or insect repellent
• using permethrin on clothing to prevent black-legged tick bites

Article Resources

• Ellwanger JH, et al. (2021). Variability in human attractiveness to mosquitoes. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X21000522
• Bites and stings: Insects. (n.d.). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/bites-and-stings-insects
• Body lice: Disease. (2022). https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/body/disease.html
• Goldman BS, et al. (2022). Caterpillar and moth bites. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539851/
• McKeown N, et al. (2014). Verified spider bites in Oregon (USA) with the intent to assess hobo spider venom toxicity. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0041010114000920
• Parasites – American trypanosomiasis (also known as Chagas disease). (2022). https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/
• Powers J, et al. (2022). Insect bites. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537235/
• Preventing tick bites. (2020). https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/on_people.html
• Typhus fevers. (2020). https://www.cdc.gov/typhus/index.html

symptoms, consequences, treatment, photos of bites

Biting midges – these annoying bloodsuckers are part of the midges and can crawl into the ears, eyes, nose and mouth. In a mass attack, they can cause serious harm to human health. Insect saliva is toxic, getting into the blood, causes both local (redness, swelling at the bite site) and general (fever, fever) reactions.

Why is the bite of an ordinary midge dangerous, and what to do if you have already been bitten?
– the entomologist Svetlana Zarechnaya will tell.

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Fight against midges. Overview of methods and means

According to scientific classification, midges are a separate family of insects. Outwardly, they resemble miniature (2-4 mm) flies: two wings, a piercing-sucking type of mouth apparatus, and three pairs of legs. But in everyday life, midges are called insects from any family in the presence of small sizes and a similar appearance.

A separate species of midges feeds on the blood of people, wild and domestic animals. Such carnivorous midges belong to the midge complex – blood-sucking insects with wings. Despite the fact that midges living in different climatic conditions are different, the consequences of their bites are similar. The reaction and symptoms depend on the immune response and other characteristics of the individual.

Differential diagnosis of insect bites

Therefore, do not try to diagnose and prescribe treatment according to articles on the Internet. This should only be done by a qualified doctor. This is especially true in cases with an acute reaction to the bite. Therefore, the recommendations below should be taken as an introductory text, and not a direct guide to action. However, we have tried to list simple and useful recommendations to alleviate the effects of a bite.

Illustration, a bite mark of a midge

What does a midge bite look like?

Depending on the presence of a blood-sucking proboscis, the bite site looks different:

• A small maroon spot appears if the mouth apparatus is adapted to bite through the skin, and is equipped with a proboscis for sucking blood (like a mosquito).

• A small red abrasion with torn edges remains after a midge bite without a blood-sucking proboscis. Such insects, when bitten, simply tear out a piece of skin.

Mosquito bite site

The bite site, especially the second type, may bleed for a while, and then covered with a crust of gore. The saliva of bloodsuckers contains a component that prevents blood clotting. Therefore, if a lot of it enters the wound, blood can flow for a long time. At the same time, the bite site remains red and burns, as if the insect had damaged the skin a few seconds ago. To prevent infection, it is important to immediately disinfect the wound.

Midge bites cause such manifestations: hardening of tissues and swelling, the appearance of compaction and redness near the bite site. One or more symptoms may appear at the same time.

The intensity of the symptoms depends solely on the characteristics of the organism. Some people have a small spot of a perfectly round shape 5-10 mm in size. In others, an area of ​​arbitrary shape over 10 cm in size turns red and swells. In the case of an acute allergic reaction, the body reacts to a bite very quickly. Moreover, as time passes without adequate assistance, the consequences are aggravated.

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Symptoms of midge bites

In the photo you can see what the skin looks like after a bite.

Skin after a bite.

The list of symptoms is extensive:

• Burning, which is replaced by itching.

• Monotonous dull or sharp, as if throbbing pain.

• Hypersensitivity of the skin or, conversely, a weakening of sensitivity in the area of ​​​​the bite.

The specific reaction of the body, swelling and color of the bite site is individual. The intensity depends on where the midge bit the person. Where the skin is thinner (face, inner thighs) redness and swelling are more noticeable.

With an allergy, you will have to face an arbitrary combination of the following symptoms:

• Itching and the appearance of red spots on the skin far beyond the bite.

• Edema of mucous membranes. Due to edema, it can even stuff up the nose, swell the larynx or tissues in the mouth.

• Active tearing of the eyes.

With an allergic reaction, midge bites may look like this:

Allergic reactions

With numerous bites, a deterioration in well-being begins, which may be accompanied by an allergic reaction. In this case, the symptoms mentioned earlier will be added:

Fever, shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness and nausea, changes in blood pressure. In such cases, you should immediately consult a doctor. Otherwise, an allergy may be followed by anaphylactic shock.

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How long does a midge bite heal?

Recovery time depends on the intensity of the allergic reaction and general health:

• 1-4 days for mild reaction.

• 4-10 days in case of local allergy.

• 7-14 days for severe allergies.

In addition to allergies, the duration of the preservation of edema is affected by the metabolic rate and timely treatment. If you immediately consult a doctor, even severe swelling will subside in 1-3 days. Redness and other symptoms will also disappear much sooner than 2 weeks.

But the period after which there will be no trace of a bite depends on the size of the damage and the speed of skin regeneration. Small wounds heal on average in a week. If the bite is also combed, then healing can take more than a month.

The midge has eaten into the skin

What to do if the midge has bitten?

Therapy for insect bites in the presence of local reactions is carried out mainly with antihistamines (suprastin, tavegil, etc.). In order to reduce pain, itching and burning, analgesics are used. Means with glucocorticoids are applied locally.
With a bullous rash, an opening of the blisters is used.

After a bite, you must immediately disinfect the wound with one of the following means:

Important: alcohol-containing preparations destroy the infection, but cause skin burns. This increases the healing time and can lead to scarring. It is better to use miramistin, hydrogen peroxide and other non-alcohol-based products.

A special “bite ointment” effectively relieves itching and burning. But at the first moment it can be replaced with improvised means:

• Sprinkle the skin with baking soda.

• Apply ice, some frozen food.

• Lubricate the area around the bite with hand cream or a simple hygienic lipstick.

Important: ice and any other compounds should not get on an open wound. You only need to treat the skin around the bite.

After treating the wound, the development of a reaction to the bite should be observed and the consequences treated.

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How to treat a midge bite?

For the speedy healing and prevention of complications, remedies that relieve swelling, soothe burning and itching, and accelerate wound healing are suitable:

• Belogent

• eplan

• Afloderm

• Beloderm

• Butadion

• Irikar

• Kuterid

• Fenistil

• Exalb

Before treating bites, carefully read the instructions for the medication and strictly follow the recommendations for the frequency of application and dosage of the drug. Antihistamines will help relieve or stop allergy symptoms: loratadine, suprastin, clarifer, lomilan, diazolin, clarotadine and others. All of these funds are freely sold in pharmacies. If they are of little help, you should consult a doctor who will prescribe a course of treatment.

Where should I turn if bitten by a midge?

Actions depend on the situation and the time elapsed since the bite:

• If a violent reaction occurs immediately after a bite, hurry to the emergency room.

• When signs of anaphylactic shock appear, an ambulance should be called urgently.

• If the effects do not go away for a long time, consult a therapist. After the examination, he will issue a referral to a specialist.

Tip: you can save time on a visit to a therapist in a commercial clinic. There, allergists and dermatologists immediately see patients.

Unfortunately, being in nature, it is difficult to avoid insect bites. If midges attack you in your summer cottage, it makes sense to order a professional service for the destruction of garden pests.

Biting midge

Those who suffer from allergies should prepare for the summer season in advance. For this:

• Consult with an allergist who, based on tests and allergy tests, will advise the best treatment regimen in case of a bite.

• Buy a standard first aid kit and add the products prescribed by the allergist to it. Grab it when you go on a picnic.

• Search in the navigator, enter the telephone numbers of emergency centers located near the cottage or other country vacation spot where you plan to go in your smartphone notebook.

These measures can help save lives when an allergic reaction can turn into anaphylactic shock.

However, this applies only to a small group of people suffering from allergies. In most cases, the midge can only cause mild itching and redness of the bite site.

Why is a midge bite contagious?

In the tropical countries of Africa, Central and South America, midges are active specific carriers of onchocerciasis (filariasis) in humans and animals. In endemic areas, the incidence of onchocerciasis can reach 80%. The disease is often accompanied by blindness. On the territory of Russia, human onchocerciasis has not been registered, but there is onchocerciasis in cattle, the carriers of which are such mass species as Od. ornata, Sim. morsitans, B. erythrocephala, etc. Midges are specific carriers of avian hemosporidiosis that affects poultry and pigeons. Mechanically, midges can transmit pathogens of tularemia and anthrax. Thus, there are no known cases of midges infecting people in Russia with any specific infections.

Ways to deal with midges?

Fighting activities

The fight against midges should be aimed at protecting humans and animals from attacking bloodsuckers. This can be achieved by carrying out complex measures, including the fight against larvae, the fight against adults and individual protection of the population. At the same time, the main attention should be paid to environmentally friendly methods and means of control.

Sustainable improvement of the territory is achieved only through the implementation of measures aimed at the prevention and reduction of breeding sites: regulation of the flow rate and periodic changes in the water level in watercourses with the help of dams and locks, mechanical cleaning of the channel.

The best effect is the extermination of the larvae. At one time, the method of treating breeding sites with a 20% mineral-oil emulsion of DDT at the rate of 0.1-0.2 g of DDT per 1 m³ of water has proven itself well. The drug was injected into the watercourse at a point above the location of the larvae with a 30-minute exposure. A one-time treatment made it possible to clear several tens of kilometers of the channel from larvae. Such treatments were repeated several times a season, since the cleared areas were again colonized by larvae migrating from the upper reaches of the rivers. However, the use of strong insecticides polluted the water and caused significant damage to the fauna and flora of the rivers. Later, this drug was replaced by Bactoculicide and other environmentally friendly drugs.

The fight against adults is especially difficult, which is determined by the spread of midges over tens of kilometers. from breeding sites. It is possible to create a barrier around the protected area using aerosols or smoke bombs, but the effect of such a struggle is short-lived and often ineffective.

For individual protection of the population, it is necessary to use the nets of Academician E.N. Pavlovsky, which should be impregnated with repellents. In regions where biting midges are included in the midges, besides mosquitoes and midges, it is recommended to wear special protective clothing (Dremova V.P. et al. 1977). This recommendation applies primarily to lumberjacks, geologists, tourists, etc.

To prevent midges from flying into rooms, in residential and livestock buildings, it is necessary to check the windows. During the period of a mass attack, livestock also suffers greatly from midges: milk yields decrease, cases of death are noted. In the season of activity of bloodsuckers, the veterinary service organizes the processing of livestock before driving it to pastures.

Zarechnaya Svetlana Nikitichna
Freelance entomologist

Associate Professor, Ph.D.

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Bitten by a midge. Most frequently asked questions

Flying light trap overview

What might a midge bite look like?

Immediately after the bite, a small burgundy spot may appear. The bite will be similar to a mosquito bite, as some midges have a proboscis to pierce the skin. Also, after a bite, you can find an abrasion or a wound with torn edges. This kind of bite comes from midges that do not have a proboscis to bite. Midges of this species simply tear out a piece of skin. Such a wound can bleed for a long time due to the saliva of the midge.

What happens from a midge bite?

Each organism has its own reaction to a midge bite. In most cases, a red spot ranging in size from 5 mm to 1 cm appears at the site of the bite. There is also a noticeable induration and swelling. In the event of an allergic reaction to the saliva of a bloodsucker, the bite site may swell and a red spot in diameter can reach 10 cm.

What to do if you have an allergic reaction to a midge sting?

If after a midge bite, the bite site is very swollen or the spot around exceeds 2 cm, then this is an allergic reaction to the midge’s saliva. It is important to immediately treat the wound with an antiseptic preparation. If necessary, take antihistamines and in no case touch or comb the bite.

Is a midge bite dangerous?

A midge bite is dangerous only with an allergic reaction. If after the bite you feel good, and the bite site is not swollen beyond the norm, then everything is in order. On average, the bite will completely disappear in a week.

Which doctor should I contact after an insect bite?

In case of a painful insect bite, after which swelling, hyperemia, pain or itching appeared, you can consult a surgical doctor (surgeon, traumatologist, including a trauma center. In their absence, these specialists – a therapist (pediatrician), an allergist-immunologist, a dermatologist .
If there is increasing swelling, hyperemia (redness), severe itching and pain, fever, increased heart rate and other alarming symptoms, then you should consult an allergist or call an ambulance.

Price for pest control from flies?

The price of flies disinfestation depends on the availability of breeding places and nets on the windows.

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Freelance Entomologist, Associate Professor, Ph.D.

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What to do if a midge has bitten, what the bite looks like and how to treat swelling

• Lifestyle

Spring, warmth, summer is coming – just thinking about it makes you smile. However, there is a fly in the ointment in this barrel of honey. More precisely, even a bucket of tar – the appearance of midges, mosquitoes and other biting insects.

May 7, 2022

Source:

iStockphoto

Mosquitoes and midges are the most annoying and nasty creatures. They can easily spoil a romantic evening in nature, a picnic, a hike or a holiday in the country. In addition, many people actively react to these insects, and if suddenly is bitten by a midge , edema with severe itching forms on the skin. Likewise with mosquitoes. Allergy sufferers, children and people with thin sensitive skin especially suffer from them. In addition, in the southern regions of our country there is a risk of developing extremely unpleasant, life-threatening diseases after a mosquito bite – hemorrhagic fevers.

“Doctor Peter” together with pediatrician Maria Samsonova figured out – what to do if a midge or mosquito bit, how to smear a bite, and when you can not do without the help of a doctor.

A lot of midges are expected

Since the winter was snowy this year, the soil was saturated with moisture, and the reservoirs were filled with melt water, swampy, watery areas formed in many regions, overgrown with reeds, grass and warmed by the sun. These are ideal conditions for the mass breeding of mosquitoes and midges, plus water is gradually being discharged in the upper reaches of the rivers, massive floods are formed, and the sun in many regions is already warm and warms up well. So, in the southern regions there are already a lot of mosquitoes, and in a few more weeks a midge will go – no one has rest from it, it spares neither adults nor children.

But in addition to mosquitoes and midges, many other insects bite people, which can be dangerous for certain groups. Especially children or adults with allergies.

Read also

Who bites us most often

Mosquitoes, midges, horseflies (in tropical countries there are still mosquitoes) most often bite a person. Less commonly, wasps and bees show aggression towards people. But it is important to know some of the nuances. If a bee or a wasp flies up to you or a child, you should not try to drive it away by waving your arms – this can provoke the insect to aggression, because it perceives this as a danger. Bees or wasps initially do not have a goal to bite you, especially a bee, because after a bite it dies. All these insects sting only for the purpose of self-defense.

Much less often people encounter bumblebees or hornets , their bites are painful and can lead to serious, sometimes life-threatening consequences. A pronounced tissue reaction is often formed to the poisons of these insects.

What a midge bite looks like

The group of midges includes several types of insects that are actually considered a midge according to science and insects that belong to other groups, but look like these biting creatures. One common property unites these insects – they can drink blood, biting both humans and domestic animals. Carnivorous midges and creatures close to them belong to the general group – midges. The bites look almost the same, and the ways of helping are the same.

General and local manifestations are influenced by individual reactions of the body, skin thickness, age of the bitten and immune reactions. But you should not self-diagnose yourself, since insect bites can be similar to many other pathologies.

Read also

Two variants of manifestations

In places of midge bites, two variants of manifestations are possible:

1. A small, maroon dot when a midge pierces the skin and sucks blood with its proboscis, similar to mosquitoes.

2. A small rounded red abrasion with jagged edges, if the insect does not have a sucking apparatus and it literally tears out a piece of skin with its teeth.

The bite of the midge of the second type may bleed at first, a crust forms on the surface. If midge saliva gets into the wound, the wound itches and burns, the blood does not coagulate for a long time, swelling increases.

In addition, midge bites may be accompanied by skin symptoms:

• induration at the site of the bite;

• severe redness in and around the bite;

• swelling, thickening of tissues.

The sizes of induration and edema are individual, they depend on the body, they can be up to 5-10 mm or more. In rare cases, the size of the swelling and redness reaches 5-10 cm. This usually happens in people prone to allergies. Reactions occur on the saliva of insects.

Bitten by a midge and the wound is swollen: what to do

What measures to take if you are still bitten by a midge or other insect, how to relieve burning and swelling? It is important to know this when going to nature so that you do not have to urgently return home. When bitten by a midge or mosquito, local swelling and redness develop at the site of the bite. As a rule, this does not pose a danger.

It is necessary to treat the bite site with an antiseptic – any one that is in the country, automobile first-aid kit – and apply cold. If you have a severe reaction to the bite, you should take an antihistamine by mouth.

In the future, you should check with your doctor, how to treat midge bites, if the blisters are large and itchy. Usually, experts recommend topical gels with antihistamine components.

If bitten by stinging insects

When bitten by a wasp or horsefly, the algorithm of actions is the same. Antiseptic treatment is required, because the risk of infection of the wound is high. Touching the wound, scratching it and disturbing it is not worth it, even taking into account the fact that pain and itching can be severe at first.

If you have been stung by a bee, carefully remove the stinger, treat the sting with an antiseptic, apply cold and be sure to take an antihistamine.

Read also

When to see a doctor

Most people tolerate insect bites without consequences, with only local symptoms. But there are a number of situations when you need to immediately consult a doctor. If after a bite there is:

1. headache,

2. nausea,

3. vomiting,

4. shortness of breath,

5. edema outside the bite site, rash,

need to see a doctor as soon as possible.