How can you identify different insect bites and stings. What are the best treatments for common bites and stings. When should you seek medical attention for an insect bite or sting. How can you prevent insect bites and stings.

Common Insect Bites and Stings: Identification and Symptoms

Insects bites and stings are a common nuisance that many people experience, especially during warmer months. Identifying the culprit behind your bite or sting can help determine the best course of treatment and potential risks. Here are some of the most common insect bites and stings and their typical symptoms:

Bee and Wasp Stings

Bees and wasps are known for their painful stings, which can cause immediate and intense discomfort. The symptoms of a bee or wasp sting typically include:

• Sharp, burning pain at the sting site
• Redness and swelling around the affected area
• A white spot where the stinger punctured the skin (in the case of bee stings)

In most cases, bee and wasp stings result in localized reactions. However, it’s important to note that approximately 3% of people may experience allergic reactions to these stings, with up to 0.8% at risk of a severe, life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.

Mosquito Bites

Mosquito bites are incredibly common and often result in itchy, raised bumps on the skin. The typical symptoms of a mosquito bite include:

• A puffy, white and reddish bump appearing a few minutes after the bite
• A hard, itchy, reddish-brown bump, or multiple bumps, appearing a day or so after the bite
• Small blisters instead of hard bumps (less common)
• Dark spots that look like bruises (rare)

Tick Bites

Ticks are arachnids that attach themselves to the skin and feed on blood. Unlike other insect bites, tick bites may not be immediately noticeable. Signs of a tick bite can include:

• A small, red bump similar to a mosquito bite
• A red spot or bull’s-eye pattern around the bite area
• Presence of the tick still attached to the skin

It’s crucial to remove ticks promptly and properly to reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease.

Immediate First Aid for Insect Bites and Stings

When you’ve been bitten or stung by an insect, taking quick action can help alleviate symptoms and prevent complications. Here are some immediate first aid steps you can take:

For Bee and Wasp Stings:

1. Remove the stinger quickly if it’s a bee sting. Use your fingernail or a credit card to scrape it out, avoiding squeezing the venom sac.
2. Wash the affected area with soap and water.
3. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain.
4. Take an antihistamine to help with itching and swelling.
5. Use over-the-counter pain relievers if needed.

For Mosquito Bites:

1. Wash the bite area with soap and water.
2. Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling and itching.
3. Use calamine lotion or an over-the-counter antihistamine cream to relieve itching.
4. Take an oral antihistamine if itching is severe.

For Tick Bites:

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick.
3. After removing the tick, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
4. Dispose of the tick by submersing it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag, or flushing it down the toilet.

Remember, the key to effective first aid for insect bites and stings is prompt action. Addressing the bite or sting quickly can help minimize discomfort and prevent potential complications.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Insect Bites and Stings

While most insect bites and stings can be treated at home, there are situations where medical attention is necessary. It’s important to recognize the signs that indicate a more serious reaction or potential complication. Here are some instances when you should seek medical help:

Signs of a Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis)

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms can include:

• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Swelling of the throat or tongue
• Dizziness or fainting
• Rapid pulse
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hives or widespread rash

If you or someone around you experiences these symptoms after an insect bite or sting, call emergency services immediately. If available, use an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) while waiting for help to arrive.

Signs of Infection

Sometimes, insect bites can become infected. Seek medical attention if you notice:

• Increased redness, swelling, or warmth around the bite area
• Red streaks extending from the bite
• Pus or fluid draining from the bite
• Fever or chills
• Swollen lymph nodes

Persistent or Worsening Symptoms

If your symptoms don’t improve after a few days of home treatment, or if they worsen, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional. This is especially important for tick bites, as they can transmit various diseases.

Natural Remedies for Insect Bites and Stings

While over-the-counter treatments are effective, some people prefer natural remedies to soothe insect bites and stings. Here are some natural options that may provide relief:

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera gel has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce swelling and soothe itching. Apply fresh aloe vera gel directly to the affected area for relief.

Baking Soda Paste

Create a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water. Apply this to the bite or sting to help neutralize the venom and reduce itching.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Applying a cloth soaked in apple cider vinegar to the affected area may help reduce pain and itching, particularly for bee stings.

Essential Oils

Certain essential oils, such as tea tree, lavender, or peppermint, may have soothing properties. Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying to the skin.

Honey

Raw honey has natural antibacterial properties and can help soothe and heal the skin. Apply a small amount directly to the bite or sting.

While these natural remedies can be effective for many people, it’s important to remember that they may not work for everyone. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult a healthcare professional.

Prevention Strategies: Avoiding Insect Bites and Stings

Preventing insect bites and stings is often easier than treating them. By taking proactive measures, you can significantly reduce your risk of being bitten or stung. Here are some effective prevention strategies:

Use Insect Repellents

Apply EPA-registered insect repellents containing ingredients like DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone. Follow the product instructions carefully, especially when applying to children.

Wear Protective Clothing

When spending time outdoors, especially in areas known for insects:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
• Choose light-colored clothing, as some insects are attracted to dark colors
• Tuck pants into socks to prevent ticks from crawling up your legs
• Wear closed-toe shoes

Avoid Peak Insect Hours

Many insects, particularly mosquitoes, are most active during dawn and dusk. If possible, limit outdoor activities during these times or take extra precautions.

Remove Standing Water

Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Regularly empty and clean birdbaths, pet water dishes, and other containers that collect water around your home.

Keep Food Covered

When eating outdoors, keep food and drinks covered to avoid attracting insects, especially wasps and bees.

Use Mosquito Nets

When camping or sleeping outdoors in areas with high mosquito populations, use mosquito nets over sleeping areas.

Avoid Strong Fragrances

Scented products like perfumes, colognes, and scented lotions can attract insects. Consider using unscented products when spending time outdoors.

Maintain Your Yard

Keep your lawn mowed and remove leaf litter to reduce tick habitats. Consider using cedar mulch around your home, as it’s known to repel ticks.

By incorporating these prevention strategies into your routine, you can significantly reduce your chances of experiencing insect bites and stings, making your outdoor activities more enjoyable and worry-free.

Understanding Insect-Borne Diseases

While most insect bites and stings are merely annoying, some can transmit serious diseases. Being aware of these potential risks can help you take appropriate precautions and seek timely medical attention if needed. Here are some common insect-borne diseases to be aware of:

Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Mosquitoes are known vectors for several diseases, including:

• West Nile Virus
• Zika Virus
• Dengue Fever
• Malaria
• Chikungunya

Symptoms of these diseases can range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe complications. If you develop fever, headache, body aches, or rash after being bitten by mosquitoes, especially in areas where these diseases are prevalent, consult a healthcare provider.

Tick-Borne Diseases

Ticks can transmit several serious diseases, including:

• Lyme Disease
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• Babesiosis
• Anaplasmosis
• Ehrlichiosis

Symptoms of tick-borne diseases often include fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches. Lyme disease is particularly notable for its characteristic bull’s-eye rash, though this doesn’t appear in all cases. If you develop these symptoms after a tick bite, seek medical attention promptly.

Other Insect-Borne Diseases

While less common, other insects can also transmit diseases:

• Chagas Disease (transmitted by kissing bugs)
• Plague (transmitted by fleas)
• Leishmaniasis (transmitted by sand flies)

Understanding the potential risks associated with insect bites in your area can help you take appropriate precautions and recognize when to seek medical help. Remember, early detection and treatment of insect-borne diseases often lead to better outcomes.

Special Considerations for Children and Pets

Children and pets are often more vulnerable to insect bites and stings due to their curiosity and outdoor activities. Here are some special considerations to keep in mind:

Protecting Children from Insect Bites and Stings

When it comes to children, extra care is needed to prevent and treat insect bites and stings:

• Use age-appropriate insect repellents. The CDC recommends not using repellents on babies younger than 2 months old.
• Dress children in protective clothing, including long sleeves, pants, and closed-toe shoes.
• Avoid using scented soaps, shampoos, or lotions on children, as these can attract insects.
• Teach children not to disturb insect nests and to avoid swatting at flying insects.
• Check children for ticks after they’ve been playing outdoors, especially in wooded areas.

When treating bites or stings on children, be cautious with over-the-counter medications and always follow dosage instructions based on the child’s age and weight.

Protecting Pets from Insect Bites and Stings

Pets are also susceptible to insect bites and stings, and some can have severe reactions. Here are some tips to protect your furry friends:

• Use veterinarian-approved flea and tick preventatives regularly.
• Keep pets indoors during peak mosquito hours (dawn and dusk).
• Remove standing water from your yard to reduce mosquito breeding grounds.
• Check pets for ticks regularly, especially after they’ve been in wooded areas.
• Consider pet-safe insect repellents for outdoor activities.

If your pet shows signs of an allergic reaction to an insect bite or sting, such as difficulty breathing, swelling, or excessive scratching, contact your veterinarian immediately.

By taking these extra precautions for children and pets, you can help ensure that everyone in your family, including the four-legged members, stays safe from the discomfort and potential dangers of insect bites and stings.

What Bit Me? The Ultimate Guide

Everyone has suffered from those incredibly itchy bites and stings that keep you awake at night. Although some people may seem more susceptible to bites, others may have spectacular and occasionally life-threatening reactions.

This guide gives you a general overview as to what might have got you and suggestions as to the best way to treat the bites and stings to make them more bearable and less of an ordeal.

What Are Your First Steps?

First things first, no matter how tempting it is, please don’t scratch the bite.

Once the skin has been broken the bite is far more likely to become infected. The first sign your bite is becoming infected is likely to be that it gets redder, hot and more itchy. If this is the case, get it seen by a health professional as soon as possible. If the redness tracks away from the bite and spreads across the skin, this could be a sign of cellulitis, which is serious and you should get medical treatment quickly.

Reactions

Anyone can react to a sting.

Usually it is only a local reaction, just affecting the bite or sting itself. If the person who has been stung experiences a local reaction, apply a wrapped ice pack to the affected area and this will help to reduce the swelling and can reduce pain as well.

Antihistamines (Pills or Topical Creams) will also help reduce the reaction and will treat itching and swelling. If you are in pain, you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to manage it.

Anaphylaxis

If the casualty shows any signs of a systemic reaction or of anaphylactic shock, call an ambulance immediately. Use their Adrenaline Auto-Injector or Epipen if they have one. Remain calm, reassure them and position them appropriately: If they are struggling to breathe, they should sit in an upright position. Putting something under their knees to help increase their circulation can be helpful – into the lazy W position.

The Lazy W Position

If their breathing is unaffected, but are feeling weak, dizzy, sick and thirsty or showing signs of shock should lie down with their legs raised to help increase the circulation to their vital organs. They should stay lying down even if they appear to recover, as sitting or standing up could cause a further drop in their blood pressure. Encourage them to turn their head to one side if they are likely to vomit. Cover them to stay warm and keep in this position until the paramedics arrive.

Treatment for shock

Bee and Wasp Stings

Bees and wasps are not generally aggressive and don’t look to sting people, however it is extremely common for people to accidentally step on them in bare feet, or for them to fly into us and then sting. When bees or wasps sting a person, they inject venom through their stinger into the skin of the victim.

Wasps, hornets and other stinging insects have stingers without barbs that they retract when they sting, so these insects can sting people multiple times. Bees have a barbed stinger that they leave in the victim’s skin along with the venom sack so they cannot sting twice.

Symptoms:

Most people only experience a localised reaction to bee stings. This area around the skin is red and painful. About 3% of people stung by bees and wasps have an allergic reaction to the sting, and up to 0.8% of bee sting victims experience the severe and life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis – this requires urgent medical intervention as detailed above.

What to do:

If someone is stung by a bee and the sting remains in the skin, quickly flick it out using your thumb nail or a credit card. Try not to squeeze the sting as this can increase the amount of allergen entering the body and therefore increase any possible allergic reaction. The venom sac can take 2-3 minutes to release the venom and so removing the sac promptly can prevent further venom increasing the reaction.

Old Wives’ Tales:

Old wives’ tales suggest neutralising stings with vinegar or bicarbonate of soda (depending on the source) is an effective remedy for wasp or bee stings. They claim that:

• Wasp sting venom is more alkaline and the remedy is neutralising the sting with vinegar to reduce the pain.
• Bee sting venom is predominantly formic acidic so they advise bicarbonate of soda to neutralise it.

Neither of these remedies have any scientific backing and it is more likely to be the power of suggestion than any real benefit that might make people feel better.

To make sure you know what to do and what is the right information, consider our Essential First Aid Course.

Click here to go to our online Essential First Aid for All Ages course 

Ticks

Ticks are arachnids that live in woodland and grassy areas. They are blood sucking and bite into the skin to feed on blood. Initially they are extremely small, but swell as they eat, eventually becoming pea sized and therefore easier to spot and remove.

You are unlikely to know immediately that you have been bitten as Tick bites do not hurt.

Ticks should be very carefully removed with tweezers or ideally with a proper tick remover, gently pulling without twisting in any way. When using a tick remover, you should insert under the tick and rotate 360 degrees.

Never burn the tick off or try and use chemicals to kill it. Keep the tick in a container to show to the medical professionals so they can ensure has been removed entirely. Cover up with long trousers and socks when walking in woodland and long grass and always check yourself, your clothes and your dog for ticks upon your return.

Lyme Disease in Humans:

Bull’s eye type rash associated with Lyme Disease

Some ticks can carry Lyme disease and you should see a health professional.

Lyme disease is a serious illness in humans, characterised by flu like symptoms, lethargy and aches and pains. 50% of people with Lyme disease develop a classic bulls eye type rash, which can appear on any part of the body. If a doctor can diagnose and treat Lyme Disease quickly, it is possible to make a full recovery. However, otherwise it can cause paralysis, arthritis, meningitis and severe long-term problems.

Chiggers

Chiggers are mites that are commonly found on meadows, golf courses, woodlands, parks and in grassland around lakes and rivers.

They are members if the Trombiculidae family and are tiny mite like spiders. They are known as berry bugs, red bugs or harvest mites.

Symptoms:

• Intense itching
• Flat or raised red bumps on the skin
• Bumps can sometimes appear blistered.

Antihistamines and topical anti-bite and sting relief creams can help manage the itching.

Chiggers most commonly bite areas of thinned skin such as wrinkles and warm folds of skin such as the crotch and groin areas, armpits, and behind the knees. The ankles and calves are also common sites for chigger bites. When the chigger bites, it inserts its feeding structures and mouth parts into the skin. They inject enzymes into the host skin that destroy the tissue around the bite and it is these that frequently provoke reactions. The area around the bite then hardens, and they insert a feeding tube, called a sylostome, further into the bite area. They can feed on the skin through this structure for a few days if they aren’t removed.

Mosquito bites

Most of us are familiar with the tell-tale buzz of the mosquito and well aware of the look of these pesky vampiric pests. Unfortunately, we do get them in the UK and our increasingly warm summers are leading to a surge in numbers. Mosquitos feed on human blood and furthermore, they can also carry malaria, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and many more extremely serious diseases.

Mosquitos love stagnant water and breed prolifically when the conditions are right. Only female mosquitos bite humans as females need blood in their diet to reproduce. Male mosquitos have feathery antennae that help them sense the presence of female mosquitos but the males only live for about a week. Females have less bushy antennae and can live for a few months. Female mosquitos have long, tubular mouthparts that they use to pierce your skin and feed on your blood. When they bite you, they inject saliva into your body while suctioning your blood.

Click here to go to our online Essential First Aid for All Ages course 

Symptoms:

Mosquito saliva contains proteins that most people react to causing a red and itchy bump.

How to Avoid Being Bitten:

Mosquitos sniff their victims out and choose them based on their scent. Many mosquito repellents try to change our smell to make us less appetising to the mosquitoes. You can get patches and sprays and people also say eating large amounts of Marmite can make you less appealing to the bugs.

Ideally use a high quality, insect repellent and cover up with loose fitting, long sleeved clothes and long trousers. Some mosquitos are around more in the daytime, some at dawn and dusk. Deet based insect repellents are widely seen as the most effective.

What to do if Bitten:

Wash mosquito bites and stings with soap and warm water. Antihistamine tablets and topical creams, anti-itch creams and applying an ice pack to the bites should provide relief from itching. Avoid scratching the bites.

It is rare for anyone to have a severe allergic or anaphylactic reaction to a mosquito bite. Therefore, if you develop aching, headaches, or fever after a bite, contact your doctor. These are more likely to be symptoms of a mosquito-borne disease.

Ants

The most common ant in the UK, the black garden variety, does not sting or bite. Howevever, red ants, wood ants and flying ants sometimes do.

Ant bites and stings are generally harmless, although you’ll probably feel a nip and a pale pink mark may develop on your skin. Sometimes the bitten area may be painful, itchy and swollen.

Spiders

Bites from spiders in the UK are rare, but some native spiders – such as the false widow spider – are capable of giving a nasty bite.

Symptoms:

• Spider bites leave small puncture marks on the skin
• They can be painful and cause redness and swelling.
• Some spiders bites can cause you to feel or be sick, sweating and dizziness.
• Bites can also become infected or cause a severe allergic reaction in rare cases. Get medical help immediately if you have any severe or worrying symptoms after a spider bite.

Bed Bugs

Bedbugs are small, oval, brown insects that feed on the blood of animals and humans. Adult bedbugs have flat bodies about the size of an apple seed. After feeding, though, they swell and turn a reddish color.

Symptoms:

• Bedbug bites typically occur on the face, neck, hands or arms.
• They’re typically found in straight lines across the skin.
• The bites are not usually painful, and if you’ve not been bitten by bedbugs before, you may not have any symptoms.
• If you have been bitten before, you may develop itchy red bumps that can last for several days.

Fleas

Fleas are minute, irritating insects, that like to feed on our blood and that of our pets. They are a real nuisance and their bites are itchy and sometimes painful. Getting rid of fleas is hard and requires professional pest control treatment for total eradication. Pet owners are most at risk of flea infestations, but it is possible to have fleas in your home without pets.

Fleas are tiny jumping bugs, that are extremely fast breeders.

Symptoms:

• Fleabites are distinctive small, red bumps with a red “halo” around the bite centre.
• Bites usually occur in groups of three or four, or in a straight line.

Fleas like warm moist areas such as the waist, armpits, breasts, groin, or in the folds of the elbows and knees. However, they also nibble the easy to reach areas such as ankles and calves. Fleabites are incredibly itchy, the skin around each bite can be sore or painful and you might develop a rash or hives near the site of a bite. Scratching the bites is very likely to lead to infection.

This is not a comprehensive guide to bites and stings. If you experience any unusual reactions or issues following a bite or sting, please seek medical advice. Wishing you a safe and happy bite and sting free summer!

Download our What Bit Me? ebook here!

We strongly advise that you attend a fully regulated Practical or Online First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.

Please visit https://firstaidforlife.org.uk or call 0208 675 4036 for more information about our courses.

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First Aid for Life is a multi-award-winning, fully regulated first aid training provider. Our trainers are highly experienced medical, health and emergency services professionals who will tailor the training to your needs. Courses for groups or individuals at our venue or yours.

First Aid for life provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. First Aid for Life is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information.

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.

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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

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• 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

How to understand which insect has bitten you

May 31, 2018 18:57 Society

Autumn frosts in the insectarium of the Moscow Zoo are not felt at all. The local microclimate is to the taste of both visitors and residents / Photo: Anna Ivantsova

“VM” tells how to find out exactly who bit you and what to do to suffer less from bites.

Buzz, squeak, scurry. For-dol-ba-li. But – the summer is red, where to go. Pushkin also printed it: “Ah, the summer is red, I would love you if it were not for dust, dirt, mosquitoes and flies . ..” What to do – not only we like the beautiful time of the year, but also them – insects.

Of course, not all insects bite us, but many do. And then the bite site hurts and itches, sometimes the bite provokes allergy attacks. And it is very important to immediately understand who really bit you.

Sometimes there is no need for this definition – the culprit is already obvious. And sometimes you don’t understand right away who it was that behaved so unfriendly. We’ll try to figure everything out.

BEES AND WASPS

The pain from the sting appears almost instantly. As a rule, a bite looks like this: a dot, a pale spot around it, and redness around it with severe swelling. Several bites can cause severe allergies, which are accompanied by weakness, itching, and sometimes numbness of the bitten leg or arm.

Unlike bees, wasps can sting a person as many times as they want – their sting does not remain in the body of the bitten. By the way, the sting of a wasp is perhaps the sharpest object in nature! It is precisely for this reason, by the way, that it is more correct to say about the wasp that it “stung” and not “bitten”. The person himself can provoke aggressive behavior of wasps – with sharp movements, and women – with the aroma of perfume. Don’t suffocate in nature, it causes an unhealthy interest in insects…

Antihistamines must be taken immediately! And if you are allergic – do not hesitate to seek medical help. Bites to the head and neck are especially dangerous.

There were no children in the garden at the time of the incident / Photo: Natalya Feoktistova

HORNET

The bite of this insect is remembered for a lifetime. It hurts like hell. In the vast majority of people, a temperature rises from a hornet bite, the bite swells terribly and does not itch, but it hurts – as if a limb was cut off, poured with boiling water, etc. Hornets are aggressive, impudent, they attack if they try to drive them away – in a word, this is one of the most serious enemies of man in nature. True, in our latitudes, when providing assistance from bites, no one dies, but in Japan, for example, where hornets are incredibly poisonous, in other years up to forty people die from their bites.

In fact, hornets do not bite people often, and only if they feel the danger emanating from them. If, for example, someone threatens their nest, waving their arms, trying to slap a newspaper – which, by the way, is absolutely useless. Hornet venom is also more “protective”. But many of its components are found in the venom … of a rattlesnake! Thus, phospholipases and orientotoxin cause the destruction of cell walls. Their contents flow into the intercellular space, a focus of inflammation occurs, and then – if the walls of the blood vessels are damaged – a hemorrhage occurs, followed by suppuration.

Phospholipases are the essential component of snake venom. And acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that causes the activation of nerve endings. When it enters the tissues, there is a feeling that the nerve ganglions are either beaten with a hammer or cut with a knife. It also contains a large amount of histamine, which provokes allergic reactions, and biogenic amines initiate an increase in heart rate and activation of breathing. What is curious: in general, the toxicity of hornet venom is less than the toxicity of the venom of the same bee, but the bite pain causes much more acute and prolonged.

ANTS

Hard work is good for everyone, but they bite. The bite is a bright red dot, sometimes with a “gnawing” piece of skin. A tight, hot, sometimes painful red swelling is quickly poured around the bite – a cake. As a rule, the bite is accompanied by a burning sensation, dips, empty spaces can form inside the “cake”, sometimes small scars remain in this place as a keepsake.

Gadflies

The bite is accompanied by fiery itching, swelling. The bite site is very hot, this, by the way, is called hyperthermia; sometimes a double dot is visible in the center of the edema, sometimes a cut is seen. It gets worse from scratching.

To relieve swelling at the bite site, you need to apply something cold to the center (a piece of ice from the freezer wrapped in a scarf), then wipe the bite site with an alcohol solution (if you take alcohol, dilute it 1:1). After that, you need to make a saturated soda solution or even turn the soda into a wet porridge and apply it to the damaged area. Then the bite site should be smeared with ointment – keep fenistil, lifeguard or trimistin in the country medicine cabinet. If a dense bump has formed at the site of the bite, you need to treat this place with alcohol and make a lotion from the ointment (sinaflan) for at least an hour and a half. It is possible, if there is no ointment, to crush the antihistamine, slightly dilute it with water and apply gruel.

To relieve severe itching, if there is no ointment, you can use ordinary potatoes – apply a slice or grated raw potato as a lotion. Apple cider vinegar helps – dilute it slightly and lubricate the damaged area. If there is absolutely nothing in the stash, smear the bite with toothpaste. In nature, if you understand plants, you can quickly prepare an infusion of succession, attach plantain.

MIDDLE

A small insect that brings oh-so-very big trouble is a midge. She sits in the grass, flies out in a flock and does not bite, but gnaws out a piece of skin, then sucking out blood and lymph from the wound. Most of the bites of midges cause just a wild allergic reaction. Since the midge usually bites unprotected legs and arms, it is they who suffer the most, but insect bites in the area of ​​​​the lips, neck, and eyes are especially dangerous. Edema from midge bites can be just awesome! A bite to the eye or eyelid is particularly sensitive. It seems to a person that he has some kind of foreign body in his eye, tears flow like a river. After the “attack” of insects, shortness of breath, blisters may occur, often enlarge and become painful lymph nodes. The swelling can last for a very long time, it all depends on how many bites there were. Wounds also heal very badly, fester, itch and itch. A characteristic sign of a midge bite: redness and a drop of dried ichor at the site of the bite.

If the swelling is very severe, diuretics may sometimes be necessary. Otherwise, the bites require the same treatment as the bites of other insects.

By the way, midges really don’t like the aroma of vanillin. Sometimes she runs from him with more horror than from aerosols. Preparing a fragrant repeller is simple: dilute crystalline vanillin in water, pour the solution into a spray bottle and treat the surface of the skin.

IN THE TOPIC

In recent years, the hawk moth has become increasingly common in the Moscow region. This creature, completely safe for humans, has a proboscis that sucks nectar from flowers. When there is nothing to suck out with a proboscis, the hawk hawk “rolls” it, and “rolls” it when necessary. Hawk hawk wings flutter so often that a “force field” is created around the insect. There are a lot of such insects in the south; they are jokingly called “kotsalo-petsalo” there and they compose all sorts of legends about them, up to horror films. However, all this is gossip and slander. The hawk moth does not bite anyone, is indifferent to human flesh, and he loves – only flowers!

SEE ALSO

Malarial mosquitoes are a rarity in “old” Moscow

InsectsBees

How to recognize an insect by its bite

Not only a bite, but a mosquito. In total, there are about 4 million different types of insects on Earth, and the poor mosquito has to take the rap for everyone, since he is always the main suspect in the blister, itching and swelling. Let’s not forget about fleas, ants and bedbugs. It is with the latter that we will begin our cognitive excursion.

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Netlenka

Health

Insects

Children’s health

Bed bugs

Bite site:

Bite site with a clear contour, swollen, with a bump, in the center of which a puncture can be seen. It is through him that the bug feasts on your blood. The parasite goes hunting collectively, so bites go in a “path”, and there can be several dozen such paths. These babies prefer open areas of the body: neck, inner elbows and knees, back and abdomen. When combing, severely itchy blisters or urticaria appear at the site of the bite.

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Bee

Place of the bite:

At the place of the bite you will always find evidence in the form of a sting that comes out of the body of the insect. It contains a reservoir of poison that will enter your body for a few more minutes. What we see: a small itchy white spot and swelling that persists for 3 to 7 days.

Wasp

Place of bite:

The wasp never leaves a sting, which distinguishes its bite from a bee. In the rest, we also see a characteristic white thick spot and swelling of the tissues, which does not subside from 3 to 7 days.

Hornet

Bite:

These striped bees, unlike normal bees, do not leave a stinger and can attack several times in a row. The bite site swells, a red spot forms around it, the skin around the bite site is hot to the touch. With a high concentration of poison, a severe allergic reaction is possible, up to anaphylactic shock.

Lice

Place of bite:

Small red spots, as a rule, are located on the scalp, itch strongly and quickly scab over when scratched. And their eggs (nits) look like small white spots that can easily be confused with dandruff.

Flea

Place of bite:

The flea bites where it can jump. Therefore, she has to be content with ankles, feet and shins. The flea bite first looks like a small red dot, around which then a halo of reddening of the skin appears.

Ant

Place of bite:

Bites resemble blisters and are most often located in the pelvis, shins and elbows. The affected area quickly turns red and swells. During an insect attack, a person feels something similar to a mosquito bite.

Tick

Place of bite:

The most likely place for the parasite to stick to a person: groin area, lower back and abdomen, chest, neck and armpits, ear area. At the time of the bite, under the action of the saliva of the tick, a local allergic reaction and inflammation develop on the skin. The suction site is painless and is manifested by reddening of a round shape. The perpetrator rarely leaves the battlefield.