Most insect bites and stings are not serious and will get better within a few hours or days. But occasionally they can become infected, cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or spread serious illnesses such as Lyme disease and malaria. Bugs that bite or sting include wasps, hornets, bees, horseflies, ticks, mosquitoes, fleas, bedbugs, spiders and midges. Insect bites and stings will usually cause a red, swollen lump to develop on the skin. This may be painful and in some cases can be very itchy. The
symptoms will normally improve within a few hours or days, although sometimes they can last a little longer. Some people have a mild allergic reaction and a larger area of skin around the bite or sting becomes swollen, red and painful. This should pass within a week. Occasionally, a severe allergic reaction can occur, causing symptoms such as breathing difficulties, dizziness and a swollen face or mouth. This requires immediate medical treatment. What to do if you've been bitten or stungTo treat an insect bite or sting:
The pain, swelling and itchiness can sometimes last a few days. Ask your pharmacist about medicines that can help, such as painkillers, creams for itching and antihistamines. Read more about treating insect bites and stings. When to get medical adviceContact your GP or call NHS 111 for advice if:
When to get emergency medical helpDial 999 for an ambulance immediately if you or someone else has symptoms of a severe reaction, such as:
Emergency treatment in hospital is needed in these cases. There are some simple precautions you can take to reduce your risk of being bitten or stung by insects. For example, you should:
You may need to take extra precautions if you're travelling to part of the world where there's a risk of serious illnesses. For example, you may be advised to take antimalarial tablets to help prevent malaria. Read more about preventing insect bites and stings. Page
last reviewed: 08 July 2019 Is this your child's symptom?
Types of Reactions to Mosquito Bites
Cause of Mosquito Bite Reaction
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Complications of Insect Bites
When to Call for Mosquito BiteCall 911 Now
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
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And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. Last Reviewed: 11/10/2022 Last Revised: 09/18/2022 Copyright 2000-2022. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC. How do you treat allergy to mosquito bites?Treatment for mosquito bites. oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or loratadine (Claritin). topical anti-itch cream or lotion, or benzocaine.. a cool bath without soap.. an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) to have on hand in case of anaphylaxis.. How do you know if you are allergic to mosquito bites?Mosquito allergy is diagnosed by determining whether the large areas of swelling and itching occurred after mosquito bites.
When should you worry about a mosquito bite?Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following after a bite: Throat swelling. Trouble breathing. Wheezing.
What does a mosquito bite reaction look like?Mosquito bite signs include: A puffy 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 or bites. Small blisters instead of hard bumps.
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