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For insect bites and stings, there are two types of
prevention: repellents and avoidance.
Insect repellents work well for biting, non-venomous
insects,but not against angry stinging insects. The most
effective repellent is DEET, available in sprays and
lotions.
Keep your distance from insects that bite. Stay away from
gardens, hedges, garbage cans, and picnic grounds. If you do
come across one of the ornery critters, don't swat at it,
flail your arms, or make sudden movements. This may trigger
an attack.
Be careful what you wear. Bright colors and floral
patterns attract them. Insects are attracted by smell so
avoid perfumes, cosmetics, hairspray, lotions, etc.
Venomous insects (wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, all
bees, fire ants) attack as a defense mechanism, injecting
painful, toxic venom to punish you so you'll stay away next
time.
The stinger must be removed. Home remedies include baking
soda or meat tenderizer compresses to "draw out" or destroy
protein-based venom. For pain and swelling, use
anti-inflammatory drugs. For itching, use topical
antihistamines, anesthetics/analgesics, or topical
hydrocortisone. To prevent infection, use topical
antibacterials.
Non-venomous insects (chiggers, fleas, lice, scabies, bed
bugs, ticks, mosquitoes) bite injecting anticoagulant saliva
in order to feed on your blood. Itching is the main symptom.
Topical antihistamines and anesthetics are for quick
temporary relief; hydrocortisone cream has slower onset, but
longer effect.
Although local irritation and "allergic" reactions may
occur from non-venomous bites, severe reactions such as
anaphylactic shock only happen from venom stings.
When should you see the doctor or go to the ER? Tammy
Meehan, M.D., UI pediatrician, suggests using
over-the-counter Benadryl as a first line of defense. "Call
your physician if you feel light-headed, nauseated, or have
any difficulty breathing following a bite or sting."
The allergies of a sting
At one time or another, everyone has been bitten or stung
by an insect--a mosquito, a bee, wasp, or other bug. Most
people don't have problems beyond the irritating itch and
some possible localized soreness.
But for others, an insect bite can be life threatening.
These people have insect venom allergies. The reactions can
vary from severe swelling and hives to breathing problems,
nausea, vomiting, and anaphylactic shock. Once you have
experienced an allergic response, you are more likely to
react the next time you are bitten.
Anaphylactic shock is an allergic reaction that can be
fatal, either through swelling that shuts off airways or
through a dramatic drop in blood pressure.
For more information about insect bites, call UI
Health Access, 319-384-8442, ext. 404, or 800-777-8442,
ext. 404.
For more information:
Listed above are several Web sites that offer additional
information on this topic. University of Iowa Health Care
does not sponsor or endorse these sites, or guarantee the
accuracy of the information contained on these sites. These
links are here for general information only, and should not
be used for personal diagnosis or treatment. If you have any
questions, please contact UI
Health Access.
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