Summer safety: Bug bites and stings

With the warm, muggy, summer weather come those buzzing, irritating insects.

Bug bites and stings may feel a little painful or itchy, and that's about it. But every now and then, you can have a bad reaction.

Here are some things to keep in mind.

Mild to severe reactions

If you get a bite or sting, wash it with soap and water and watch for signs of a bad reaction.

Usually, mild swelling, pain and itching that stays in the area of the bite or sting isn't much to worry about.

People with allergies or asthma are more likely to react badly to bites or stings.

The most serious kind of allergic reaction tends to come on quickly, usually within 30 minutes, and can be life-threatening. Call 911 or the nearest emergency service if you notice any of these signs:

• trouble swallowing
• throat and chest tightness
• low blood pressure
• sweating
• dizziness or weakness
• hives
• wheezing and difficulty breathing

A less severe allergic reaction can cause swelling, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or headache. This doesn't usually require emergency treatment, but you may want to ask a pharmacist for over-the-counter medicine.

Most allergic reactions don't occur with the first or second bite. So if you've been bitten by something and never noticed a reaction, do not assume you aren’t allergic to it.

Deer ticks and Lyme disease

You can get Lyme disease if you're bitten by an infected deer tick. If you notice a rash (sometimes it resembles a bull's eye) and flu-like symptoms, immediately contact your clinic.

Catching Lyme disease early is important. If it progresses, you can experience joint pain, heart problems and neurological problems. At that point, intravenous (given in the vein) antibiotics are usually necessary.

Oral antibiotics may be used for less severe Lyme disease.

Mosquitoes and West Nile virus

West Nile virus often flares up in the summer and continues in the fall, when mosquitoes are most active. Mosquitoes get the virus when they bite infected birds.

If an infected mosquito bites you, there's a 1 in 150 chance that you'll get severely ill. In fact, 4 out of 5 people who infected with West Nile virus do not feel sick.

Still, it’s good to watch for severe illness. If you notice symptoms like unusually severe headaches or confusion, immediately seek medical attention.

Holding off the bugs

To keep mosquitoes from breeding, remember that many mosquitoes can hatch in small amount of water. So try not to leave standing water around outside. Or change the water in bird baths, a pet's water bowl, anywhere you need water to be, every day.

To keep bees from stinging, cover all food and garbage outside. Check your drinks before sipping. Avoid wearing floral prints and perfume. Shake out shoes and other clothing that's been outside. Shake a blanket out before sitting down on it.

When you know you're going to be around ticks or mosquitoes, use an insect repellant with DEET or picaridin. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children use repellants with only 10 percent DEET. Parents may also want to consider alternatives like picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Related Links

Allergy and immunology specialists

Emergency medicine specialists

Insect bites and stings

Tick removal

First published: 05/05/2003
Last updated: 05/30/2006

Reviewed by: Paul Kleeberg, MD, medical director, Allina.com