Regardless of how careful you are about animals in your home, or how many precautions you take when your child is outdoors playing, bug bites and stings may occur.
Most of them are harmless, but some may require medical attention.
Emergency signs after bug bites
The American Academy of Dermatology advises going to the emergency room right away if you notice any of the following symptoms soon after a bug bite or sting:
- Difficulty breathing
- The feeling that your throat is closing
- Swelling of lips, tongue or face
- Chest pain
- A racing heartbeat for more than a few minutes
- Dizziness or headache
- Vomiting
Watch for tick bites
These little creatures can cause a number of serious issues. So it’s important to be vigilant after being where ticks are present. Carefully inspect yours and your children’s bodies, especially the underarms, in and around ears, belly button, backs of the knees, legs, waist and hair, for ticks. You can also take a bath or shower to get rid of any ticks.
If you do find a tick, remove it carefully. If you do have a tick bite, look for a red rash that looks like a donut or bulls eye target, or a fever with a spreading red or black spotty rash. These can be signs of serious tick-related illness.
Home care for bites and stings
But for most bug bites, home care is all you need. If you have a bite, don’t scratch it. You can use calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to ease itching. But above all, don’t let the fear of a few bites keep you out of the great outdoors.
Learn more
- West Nile virus: An annual threat from mosquitoes
- Lyme disease: Welcome to the dark side of summer
- Banish bug bites: Helpful tips in protecting children
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Posted In Children's, Dermatology, Health Information, Healthy Living
