There is a wide variety of insects in the world that bite and sting when approached. Chances are, you will or have met some of them. Each insect bite has a different variety of symptoms. It will help you determine the best way to treat the symptoms that arise and be aware of the potential dangers, if you can identify insect bites. Here are the characteristics of the most common insect bites.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Identifying Common Insect Bites
Step 1. Find out where you were when you were bitten by an insect
Insects live in different areas, and there are certain circumstances that increase the likelihood of being bitten by an insect.
- If you are outdoors, and perhaps near an area with lots of trees, chances are you are bitten by mosquitoes, fleas, or fire ants.
- If you are near food or garbage, you may have been bitten by a fly, or stung by a bee.
- If you are indoors, sitting somewhere or playing with pets, chances are you are bitten by fleas and bedbugs.
- In the US, scorpions are found only in the deserts of the Southwest region, especially in Arizona. If you weren't there, chances are you weren't bitten by a scorpion.
Step 2. Look for small, red, itchy bumps
This is the most obvious symptom of an insect bite. Based on other symptoms, these bumps can be from various types of insects.
- Single bite marks are likely from mosquitoes or flies. You may notice a small bite mark in the middle of the mosquito bite protrusion.
- Flea bites are a collection of small, itchy bumps. You may find it in areas where clothing feels tight against you, such as around the waist.
- Bed bug bites are red itchy bumps that may be accompanied by blisters that collect in 2-3 columns.
Step 3. Look for swelling
Another type of bite or sting can be swelling of the skin around the bite area.
- The fire ant bite will cause swelling (approximately 1.25 cm) and will be filled with pus which will likely blister after a few days.
- A scorpion sting can cause swelling, as well as redness and pain or numbness in the area.
Step 4. Check for bee or wasp stings
The sting of the two insects will immediately cause sharp or burning pain, and swelling. The mark will be a red welt (similar to a mosquito bite), with a small white spot where the stinger pierced the skin. The bite area may also swell. For bees, the stinger will be left at the site of the sting.
If you are stung by a bee, remove the stinger from the skin. A bee will die if it stings another creature because the stinger is released from the bee's body. The stinger should not be left on your skin. Use your fingers or tongs to remove it as soon as possible. Bites of other insects, such as hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets do not leave a stinger. If you have been stung, and no sting remains, it is likely that you have been stung by these insects
Step 5. Look for fleas (a type of flea)
Flea bites tend to be bright red, but they are not painful. So if you can't see it, chances are you don't know you've been bitten by this insect. You're more likely to find bite marks while the bugs are still there. Most fleas are harmless, but these insects carry dangerous diseases such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. It's best to be careful when you find a flea bite.
- If the fleas are still on you, remove them as soon as possible. Use tongs to grab the flea near its head and pull it, don't twist it as this can cause the head to break off and stay attached to your skin. Don't let any remains of body fleas on your skin. When picking fleas, use tongs, and do not use petrolatum jelly, matches, or nail polish remover.
- If the head can't be removed, it's probably already buried in the skin. If so, contact your doctor immediately so that it can be taken.
- Monitor the area of the bite. If you notice a rash in a target pattern (erythema migrans), this is a symptom of Lyme disease. See a doctor immediately.
- You should always check for fleas on your body after being in an area with lots of trees, or walking through tall grass. Fleas like warm and dark places, so check all over your body. Fleas can be as small as a dot, so try using a magnifying glass.
Step 6. Check for head lice
Head lice are usually a lot on the neck and scalp. The bite may look like a rash on the head, and you may also find the eggs in your hair. If you have head lice, wash your hair with a commercial lice-killing shampoo, and wash any clothing and bedding that may have come in contact with lice.
If you are pregnant, do not use a lice-killing shampoo. Instead, consult the best way to get rid of head lice with a doctor
Step 7. Identify the spider bite
Spider bites are somewhat different from other insect bites and should be treated differently. Look for two small canine puncture wounds (symptoms of a Black Widow bite), or a bite that turns blue or purple and begins to turn into a deep, open wound (symptom of a brown recluse bite). If you see these bite marks, call your doctor. Apart from these two marks, the bites of other spiders are less serious and resemble the bites of other insects.
Step 8. Look for the insect
Most bug bites are painful, and you'll notice it right away. If you feel bitten, try to find the culprit. Photos, or if the insect is dead, save the carcass. This will allow your doctor to determine what insect bit you and the next steps to take.
If the insect is still alive, don't try to catch it. Chances are, you will be bitten or stung again
Part 2 of 2: Treating Insect Bites
Step 1. Clean the bite area with soap and water
Thus, the bite marks are cleaned and prevent additional infection. It's best not to apply creams or other medications to the bite area until the wound is clean.
Step 2. Use an anti-itch cream if the wound is itchy
Look for a commercial antihistamine like Benadryl. Do not scratch the wound because it can cause infection.
Topical creams, gels, and lotions, especially those containing pramoxine, can control itching
Step 3. Relieve swelling
Apply a cold compress from a cloth soaked in cold water or filled with ice, and apply it to the swollen area. If possible, elevate the bite area above heart level to reduce blood flow.
Step 4. Treat papular urticaria
A collection of itchy bumps may appear as a hypersensitivity reaction to insect bites. Usually, these symptoms occur after being bitten by fleas, mosquitoes, and bedbugs. Treatment uses antihistamines and topical steroids.
Do not scratch the bumps because they can cause sores and infection
Step 5. Handle shock
Some insect bites can cause an allergic reaction that causes the victim to experience shock. If you notice blanching of the victim's skin, difficulty breathing, or swelling around the area of the bite, symptoms of anaphylaxis may have occurred. Shock victims should be kept calm and comfortable. If you experience a shock, take deep breaths to stay calm. Immediately call emergency services.
If the victim (either you or someone else) has an EpiPen, use it
Step 6. Call for medical help
In most cases, effects such as itching and swelling go away quickly. If your symptoms don't go away, or if they get worse, see your doctor right away to make sure you don't have a more serious reaction.
If you feel, or know, that you have been stung by a scorpion, seek emergency services immediately
Step 7. Monitor for symptoms of other illnesses
insect bites alone may not be harmful. However, many insect bites carry disease. Fleas carry Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, while mosquitoes carry West Nile Virus and encephalitis and can transmit dangerous diseases to humans. Watch for other symptoms, such as fever, body aches, and nausea. These symptoms can be a more serious disease.
Tips
- Most insect bites and stings will irritate the skin temporarily, and the effect will wear off. Only spiders and poisonous insects show an obvious reaction, unless the victim is allergic to certain insect bites or stings.
- Search engines on the internet to identify insect bites returned no results for spider bites. Spiders are arachnids and not insects. It's a good idea to use the phrase "spider bite" to look it up on the internet.
- Do not disturb the insects as you could be bitten by a self-protective reaction.
- When outdoors, use insect repellent and protective clothing, such as long pants and a long sleeved shirt.
- Sweets and trash cans attract bees, flies, and other insects so don't get too close to them.
Warning
- If you are allergic to insect bites or stings, always carry a medical ID or emergency EpiPen with you. Make sure your friends and family know how to use the EpiPen in case you have a shock.
- If you recognize bedbug bites, it's best to contact an exterminator to get rid of them.
- If you have difficulty breathing, swelling in your throat, or difficulty swallowing, call emergency services immediately because you may have an anaphylactic reaction.
