Prevent and Treat Insect Bites and Stings

It can be difficult to know if an insect bite or sting is dangerous or not. This article explains the best first aid treatment depending on the type of insect involved.

Bee stings are the most common triggers of anaphylaxis to insect stings. It’s important to be aware that bites or stings from insects can cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) in some people. Learn more about first aid treatment for severe allergic reactions in the ‘anaphylaxis’ section below.

Insect bites

An insect bite will leave a puncture wound in the skin. The type of insect that you are bitten by can determine what type of reaction you will have. Insect bites will usually clear up in a day or two without any further treatment.

Common symptoms of a bite include:

• skin irritation
• inflammation or swelling
• a bump or blister around the bite mark.

Insect stings

If you are stung, the insect will puncture the skin and leave behind saliva, faeces (poo) or venom. It’s also quite common that the insect will leave behind its ‘sting’ with or without venom.

Common symptoms of a sting include:

• an intense burning feeling
• redness around the sting site
• swelling around the sting – in cases of allergic reaction, swelling may be more severe and affect a larger part of the body, for example the whole leg or arm may become swollen
• allergic reactions can occur which may cause further swelling, pain and in some cases blisters will form
• pain which generally eases after an hour or so

The skin around the area you were stung is likely to be red and painful, and you may experience some swelling around the sting mark. Stings generally clear up within two days (48 hours) although the area may be tender for a few days after this.

Bee stings, wasp stings and ant bites

Bee and wasp stings and Australian Jack Jumper ant bites are the most common triggers of anaphylaxis to insect stings.

Wasps are generally more aggressive than bees and are attracted to food and sugary drinks. Check open food and drink containers when you are outdoors before you eat or drink from them.

Take these steps if you are stung or bitten:

• bee stings – do not use tweezers to remove the sting. Bees leave behind a sack of venom, and if you try to use tweezers you will release more venom from the sack
• if the stinger is still in the skin, gently try to remove it by scraping it carefully from the side with the edge of a firm object, such as a finger nail or credit card
• when you have removed the sting, wash the affected area with soap and water, and dry the area gently.

If the pain is persistent (ongoing), massage the area around the sting or bite for 10 minutes using an ice-pack. This will only provide temporary pain relief.

Ticks

Ticks can attach to your skin when you’re out and about in the bush.
To protect yourself from ticks, wear light coloured clothing, tuck your trousers into your socks and spray an insect repellent containing diethyltoluamide (DEET) or picaridin onto your skin, shoes and socks.

After returning from a tick area, thoroughly check the whole body of all members of the party (especially children) for ticks. Pay particular attention to the back of the head and neck, groin, armpits and back of the knees. You can have more than one tick.

To remove a tick, grasp it as close to the skin as possible with fine tipped tweezers. Gently pull the tick straight out using steady pressure. A portion of the head or mouthparts may be left behind. These will fall out in time.

DO NOT:

• grasp the tick by the body,
• apply methylated spirits or fingernail polish, or
• use a lighted match, or cigarette.

Once the tick is out, apply antiseptic cream to the bite site. Tick bites can remain slightly itchy for several weeks.

If the tick isn’t fully removed, you should look out for signs of infection – redness, pain around the wound site, pus or clear liquid coming from the wound, and a high temperature over 38°C.
See your doctor if you develop a reaction around the bite site, or if you feel generally unwell or experience muscle weakness or paralysis after a tick bite.

Mosquito Bites

Mosquitoes cause itchy bites but severe allergic reactions are rare.
Some types of mosquitoes can spread serious diseases.

See your doctor if you develop a rash, flu-like symptom such as fever, chills, headaches, joint and muscle pains (swelling or stiffness), fatigue, depression and generally feel unwell.

Most mosquito bites can be managed by washing the area with soap and water and applying an antiseptic. Cold packs may help with local pain and swelling.

To lessen your chance of being bitten by mosquitoes (and midges), cover up as much skin as possible and stay inside in the early morning or at dusk. Use an insect repellent when you are out and about and there are mosquitoes around.

Scorpion and centipede stings

Take these steps if stung by a scorpion or a centipede:

• apply an ice pack to the sting or bite site
• clean the wound with antiseptic or wash with soap and water to help prevent secondary infection
• give analgesia.

Caterpillar stings to the skin

Take these steps if stung by a caterpillar:

• remove visible caterpillar hairs with tweezers
• apply and remove adhesive tape to the area to remove the finer caterpillar hairs
• do not scratch or rub the area, this may cause the hairs to penetrate deeper into the skin.

Itching

Itching is a common irritation of the skin that makes a person want to scratch the itchy area. It can occur anywhere on the body, and can be very frustrating and uncomfortable. Itching may occur on a small part of the body, for example around the area of an insect bite, or it can affect the whole body, such as an allergic reaction.

Sometimes spots or rashes may be present around the area that is itchy, or they may cause the itchiness itself.

It is quite common to find that after you’ve scratched an itch, that the itch becomes more persistent (itchier) and you get into a cycle of itching and scratching. This can be painful and can sometimes lead to an infection if the skin is broken. If itching persists for more than 48hrs, see your doctor.

To relieve itching follow this advice:

• try not to scratch the area. Keep your nails short to prevent breaking the skin if you do scratch
• a cool bath or shower may help to soothe the itching. Gently pat yourself dry with a clean towel. Do not rub or use the towel to scratch yourself
• avoid perfumed skin care products
• try to wear loose cotton clothing, which can help prevent you overheating and making the itch worse. Avoid fabrics which irritate your skin, like wool or scratchy fabrics
• an ice pack may relieve the itching but should not be placed directly against the skin. For example, you can make an ice pack by using a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a clean cloth
• there are medicines available to ease the symptoms of itching. Speak to a pharmacist for further advice and to make sure any medicines you take are suitable for you
• if you are in pain, get advice on medicines from a pharmacist or a doctor on medicines you can take.

How to prevent bites and stings

To help prevent bites and stings, it’s a good idea to wear protective clothing such as closed shoes, socks, long pants and a long sleeved shirt when walking through the bush.
Wear protective gloves and clothing when gardening. Bites and stings can happen when you have bare feet so wear shoes when you are outside, even around your home.

Originally from http://www.healthdirect.gov.au/insect-bites-and-stings.