Insect Bites

PharmDToYou is dedicated to patient care. This week, we will inform our patients about how to treat some ailments/illnesses without medications (non-pharmacological) and if needed, with medications (pharmacologic).

Today we will discuss insect bites and stings. We will go over some common critters that bite and what patients can do to treat them.

Mosquitoes

• Mosquitoes are flying insects that feed on blood. Some mosquitos carry harmful diseases such as West Nile that can be spread to a person from a bite.
• Most bites are not harmful but itch. This can be treated by applying hydrocortisone cream or benzocaine topically.

Bed Bugs

• Bed bugs typically hide during the day and feed from victims at nighttime.
• The bite irritates the skin.
• Bed bugs are killed using Pyrethrin on clothes and bedding ONLY. Be sure to wash these in very hot water.

Spiders

• Often spider bites are harmless.
• Spider bites from Black Widow (red hour-glass on the back) and Brown Recluse (violin-shaped marking) spiders can be dangerous, causing skin to die and infection to set in.
• If you think you were bit by one of these spiders, seek medical attention immediately.

Ticks

• Ticks can carry diseases that must be treated with antibiotics. Symptoms from these diseases range from headache, rash, and fatigue (Rocky Mountian Spotted Fever) to skin rash and flu-like symptoms (Lyme Disease).
• They bite into skin and can cause irritation at the bite as well.
• If irritation occurs, hydrocortisone cream can be applied.

Chiggers

• It is commonly thought that these burrow into the skin but they do not. They create a tube or a “stylostome” to feed on a person.
• Most commonly causes itchy welts.
• These can be treated with topical hydrocortisone as well. There is also Benadryl cream and a pain reliever called “Chigarid” that is effective.

Stinging insects (bees, wasps, hornets, etc)

• Can cause a severe allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis in some people.
• Is best not to wear perfumes that attract stinging insects.
• If you are stung, make sure to remove the entire stinger if applicable and apply ice to relieve the pain.
• Take diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to prevent swelling or reaction.
• If any signs of anaphylaxis occur, or if dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, or difficulty breathing happens, seek medical attention.
• If a severe reaction occurs to you or a family member, discuss with your healthcare provider about the use of an EpiPen.

TIPS

• If an allergic reaction occurs from an insect bite, allergy medication to treat this may be indicated.
• The best way to avoid bites is prevention. Use DEET to repel these pests. DEET can be used in 2 months old and older though it should only be applied once per day on children.
• Permethrin can be used to repel insects from clothing and tents (NOT SKIN)
• See a provider IF:
  • Severe bite occurs in child less than 2 years old
  • You notice severe allergic reaction such as shortness of air, inability to breathe or severe hives
  • Bite area appears red, oozing and/or infected

Please feel free to comment and share! Do not hesitate to contact PharmDToYou through our messenger on Facebook or LinkedIn or through our “Contact Us” form on https://www.pharmdtoyou.com/index.php/contact-us/!