Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Identifying common insect bites
• Part 2 of 2: Taking care of an insect bite
• Tips
• Warnings

There are several insects in the world that bite and sting when they come near you. Chances are you will encounter one or all of them in your life. Every bug bite has different symptoms. Knowing how to identify them can also help you figure out the best way to treat their symptoms and look out for more dangerous options. These are markers for only the most common insect bites.

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Part 1 of 2: Identifying common insect bites

1. Find out where you were when you were bitten. Different insects live in different places, and there are certain circumstances where you are more likely to be bitten by a particular insect.
   • If you were out in nature, and possibly in a wooded area, you have probably been bitten by a mosquito, tick, or fire ant.
   • If you were near food or trash, you could have been bitten by a fly or stung by a bee.
   • If you were indoors, were sitting somewhere, or were playing with a pet, it could be fleas or bed bugs.
   • In the Netherlands, only scorpions are kept in captivity and they do not survive in our climate. The chances are very small that you will be stung by an escaped scorpion.
2. Look for a small, itchy, red bump. This is the common visible symptom of an insect bite, and depending on other symptoms, it can be from a variety of insects.
   • A single bite spot is likely from a mosquito or fly. You can find a small bite spot in the center of the bump of a mosquito bite.
   • Flea bites consist of a number of small, itchy bumps grouped together. You will likely find them in areas where your clothes are tight around your body, such as around your waist.
   • A bed bug bite is an itchy, red bump, perhaps with a blister, grouped in rows of two or three.
3. Watch for swelling. Other types of bites or stings also have swelling of the skin around the bite site.
   • Fire ant bites will cause swelling (up to half an inch) and will fill with pus. They may blister after a few days.
   • Scorpion stings can cause swelling, skin redness and pain or numbness in the area.
4. Check for bee and wasp stings. Stings from these insects will cause immediate sharp or burning pain and swelling. They leave a red bump (similar to a mosquito bite), with a small white spot where the stinger pierced the skin. There will also likely be mild swelling in the area. Bees leave their sting.
   • If you were stung by a bee, remove the stinger. A bee will die if it stings someone, because it pulls the stinger out of its body. You don't want the stinger to stay, so take it out with your fingers or tweezers as soon as possible. Other stinging insects, such as hornets, wasps and honey wasps, do not leave their sting. If you were stung and no stinger was left, that is probably what stung you.
5. Watch sign. Tick ​​bites are often bright red but painless, so if you don't look for them, you could miss them. You may discover the bite with the tick still attached to you. Most tick bites are harmless, but many ticks carry dangerous diseases such as Lyme disease. You will have to be careful if you discover a tick bite.
   • If the tick is still attached, you will want to remove it as soon as possible. Use tweezers to grab the tick near its head and pull - don't twist, as this can loosen the head and get stuck in your skin. Don't leave any part of his head or body on you. When removing a tick, use tweezers, and no other items such as petroleum jelly, matches, or nail polish remover.
   • If you can't get the head out, it's probably buried under your skin. If so, contact a doctor immediately so he can remove it.
   • Keep an eye on the bite site. If you get a circular rash (erythema migrans), it is a sign of Lyme disease. See a doctor immediately.
   • You should always check yourself for ticks after being in wooded areas or walking through long grass. Ticks like warm, dark places, so check your entire body. They can be as small as the period at the end of this sentence, so you could use a magnifying glass.
6. Check for lice. Lice are usually found on the neck and scalp. Their bites look like a rash on your head, and you will likely find the lice and their eggs (called nits) in your hair. If you have lice, you should wash your hair with anti-lice shampoo and wash any clothing and bedding that may have come into contact with it.
   • If you are pregnant, do not use this noisy shampoo. In that case, talk to your doctor about the best ways to get rid of the louse.
7. Rule out serious spider bites. Spider bites are a bit different from insect bites and need to be treated differently. Look for two small two-tooth puncture wounds (a sign of a black widow bite) or a bite that turns blue or purple and becomes a deep, open sore (a sign of a brown recluse spider's bite). If you have these signs, call your doctor. Other less severe spider bites can resemble insect bites.
8. Look for the insect. Most insect bites are painful and you will see them right away. If you feel like you are being bitten, try to find the bug that bit you. Take a photo, or, if the insect is dead, take the carcass with you. This can help you and your doctor identify what bit you and what steps to take next.
   • If the insect is still alive, don't try to catch it. That's a good way to get bit or stung again.

Part 2 of 2: Taking care of an insect bite

1. Clean the site of the bite with soap and water. This will help clean the bite and prevent further infection. It is better not to use any other creams or medication on the bite until it is clean.
2. Use anti-itch cream if the bite is itchy. Look for over-the-counter antihistamines such as Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton. Do not scratch the bite or it could get infected.
   • Topical creams, gels, and lotions - especially those containing pramoxine - can help reduce itching.
3. Reduce the swelling. Prepare a cold compress, a cloth dampened with cold water, or filled with ice, and place it on the swollen area. If possible, keep the bitten area elevated to reduce blood flow.
4. Treat papular urticaria. Clumps of raised, itchy, red bumps may appear as a result of a hypersensitivity to insect bites. This usually occurs after bites from fleas, mosquitoes and bed bugs. Treatment for urticaria includes antihistamines and topical steroids.
   • Do not scratch these bumps as this can result in scarring or infection.
5. Treat shock. Some insect bites can cause an allergic reaction, which can cause the victim to go into shock. If you see pale skin, difficulty breathing, or swelling around the bite, this is probably a sign of anaphylactic shock. Someone who goes into shock should be kept calm and comfortable. If you go into shock yourself, taking a deep breath will keep you calm. Contact emergency services immediately.
   • If the victim (be it you or someone else) has an EpiPen, use it.
6. Seek medical attention. In most cases, the effects, such as itching and swelling, can disappear quickly. If symptoms persist or worsen, see a doctor to make sure you don't have a more severe reaction.
   • If you think or know you've been stung by a scorpion, seek immediate medical attention.
7. Watch for symptoms of other illnesses. Insect bites may not be dangerous on their own, but many insects can transmit disease. Ticks can carry Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and mosquitoes can carry the West Nile Virus and encephalitis, and they can transmit these serious illnesses to humans. Watch for other symptoms such as fever, body aches, and nausea. These are usually signs of a more serious condition.

Tips

• Most insect bites and stings will irritate the skin temporarily, but usually the effects will disappear. Unless someone has an allergy to certain types of insect bites and stings, only the most poisonous spiders and insects will cause a noticeable reaction.
• A search on the internet to spot insect bites may not yield results about spider bites. Spiders are arachnids, not insects. If you suspect a spider bite, usually identified by two small teeth markings, then you should search for spidersbites.
• Don't disturb insects, as this is a good way to get them to bite in self-defense.
• When outside, use insect repellants and protective clothing, such as long pants and long-sleeved shirt.
• Sweet foods and trash cans attract bees, flies and other insects, so don't get too close to them.

Warnings

• If you are allergic to insect bites or stings, you must have a medical card or emergency epinephrine (EpiPen) with you. Make sure your friends and family know how to use the EpiPen if you go into shock.
• If you recognize the bites as bed bugs, the best thing to do is to call a pest repeller to have them exterminated.
• If you experience shortness of breath, swelling around your throat, or difficulty swallowing, call emergency help or go to an emergency room right away. This can indicate an anaphylactic reaction.