Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites
Insect Bites and Stings and Spider BitesSkip to the navigationTopic OverviewInsect and spider bites often cause minor
swelling, redness, pain, and itching. These mild reactions are common and may
last from a few hours to a few days. Home treatment is often all that is needed
to relieve the symptoms of a mild reaction to
common stinging or biting insects and spiders. Some people have more severe reactions to bites or stings. Babies and
children may be more affected by bites or stings than adults. Examples of problems that are more serious include: - A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Severe allergic reactions are not common
but can be life-threatening and require emergency care. Signs or symptoms may
include:
- Shock, which
may occur if the circulatory system cannot get enough blood to the vital
organs.
- Coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing, or feeling of
fullness in the mouth or throat.
- Swelling of the lips, tongue,
ears, eyelids, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and mucous membranes
(angioedema).
- Lightheadedness and
confusion.
- Nausea, diarrhea, and stomach
cramps.
- Raised, red, itchy bumps called hives and reddening of the skin. These
symptoms often occur with other symptoms of a severe reaction.
- A
toxic reaction to a single sting or bite. Spiders or
insects that may cause this include:
- A
toxic reaction to multiple stings or bites from a bee,
wasp, or fire ant.
- A
bee leaves its stinger behind and then dies after
stinging. Africanized honeybees, the so-called
killer bees, are more aggressive than common honeybees
and often attack together in great numbers. Reaction to bee stings can range from minor skin swelling and redness to a serious allergic reaction.
- Wasps, including hornets and yellow jackets, can sting over and over.
- A
fire ant attaches to a person by biting with its jaws.
Then, pivoting its head, it stings from its belly in a circular pattern at
multiple sites.
- A
large skin reaction with swelling and redness that spreads away from the site of the bite or sting. It may be as large as swelling across two major joints, such as from the elbow to the shoulder.
- A
skin infection at the site of the bite or
sting.
- Serum sickness, a reaction to the
medicines (antiserum) used to treat a bite or sting. Serum sickness may cause
hives and
flu-like symptoms about 3 to 21 days after the use
of antiserum.
- A virus infection. Infected mosquitoes can spread the
West Nile virus to people, causing an inflammation of
the brain (encephalitis). For more information, see the topic
West Nile Virus.
- A parasite infection. Infected mosquitoes can
spread
malaria. For more information, see the topic
Malaria.
Check your symptoms to decide if and when you
should see a doctor. Check Your SymptomsHave you been bitten or stung by an insect or spider? Yes Insect or spider bite or sting No Insect or spider bite or sting How old are you? Less than 1 year old Less than 1 year 1 to 11 years 1 to 11 years 12 years or older 12 years or older Do you have a concern about a tick bite? Did the bite or sting involve the eyeball? Yes Bite or sting to eyeball No Bite or sting to eyeball This is more likely if you have had a bad reaction to something in the past. Yes Possible severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) No Possible severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) Do you have symptoms of shock? Have you ever had a severe allergic reaction to a bite or sting? A severe allergic reaction affects the whole body. Your doctor may have called it anaphylaxis. Yes History of severe allergic reaction to bite or sting No History of severe allergic reaction to bite or sting Are you having any symptoms of an allergic reaction now, even mild ones? If you've ever had a severe reaction to the same thing that's causing your symptoms now, treat this as an emergency. Mild symptoms quickly may become severe. Yes History of severe reaction with symptoms now No History of severe reaction with symptoms now Is there any serious swelling? This could include swelling that is not near the bite or sting area, or swelling that began at the bite or sting site but is expanding well beyond that area. (Some swelling at the site of the bite or sting is normal.) Yes New or expanding swelling not near bite or sting No New or expanding swelling not near bite or sting Are the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat swollen? Yes Swelling of lips, tongue, mouth, or throat No Swelling of lips, tongue, mouth, or throat Did the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat swell quickly? Yes Rapid swelling of lips, tongue, mouth, or throat No Rapid swelling of lips, tongue, mouth, or throat Does swelling involve the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, or the area from one large joint to another, such as from the ankle to the knee? Yes Swelling is across two joints, on soles of feet, or on palms of hands No Swelling is across two joints, on soles of feet, or on palms of hands Is the swelling getting worse (over hours or days)? Yes Swelling is getting worse No Swelling is getting worse Did you get an epinephrine shot to treat the reaction? Yes Has had epinephrine shot No Has had epinephrine shot Have you been bitten or stung by a poisonous spider (such as a black widow or brown recluse spider), a scorpion, or a caterpillar? Yes Bitten or stung by poisonous spider, scorpion, or caterpillar No Bitten or stung by poisonous spider, scorpion, or caterpillar Are there any hives? Hives are raised, red, itchy patches of skin. They usually have red borders and pale centers. They may seem to move from place to place on the skin. Do the hives cover many places on your body? Did the hives appear within 3 hours after the bite or sting? Yes Hives developed within 3 hours of bite or sting No Hives developed within 3 hours of bite or sting Do you think you may have a fever? Are there red streaks leading away from the area or pus draining from it? Do you have diabetes, a weakened immune system, peripheral arterial disease, or any surgical hardware in the area? "Hardware" includes things like artificial joints, plates or screws, catheters, and medicine pumps. Yes Diabetes, immune problems, peripheral arterial disease, or surgical hardware in affected area No Diabetes, immune problems, peripheral arterial disease, or surgical hardware in affected area Have you developed any flu-like symptoms after the bite or sting, such as fever, shaking chills, muscle or joint pain, headache, or a general feeling of illness? This could happen within minutes of the bite or sting or up to 3 weeks later. Did these symptoms begin within minutes after the bite or sting? Yes Flu-like symptoms began within minutes after bite or sting No Flu-like symptoms began within minutes after bite or sting Do you have other symptoms, such as belly pain, vomiting, or diarrhea? Yes Has other symptoms, such as belly pain, vomiting, or diarrhea No Has other symptoms, such as belly pain, vomiting, or diarrhea Did these symptoms begin within minutes after the bite or sting? Yes Other symptoms began within minutes after bite or sting No Other symptoms began within minutes after bite or sting Yes Sudden appearance of red or purple spots or bruising No Sudden appearance of red or purple spots or bruising Is there a blister, a painful sore, or a purple discoloration at the site of a bite or sting? Yes Blister, painful sore, or purple discoloration at bite or sting site No Blister, painful sore, or purple discoloration at bite or sting site Are you having new muscle spasms or stiffness? Yes Muscle spasms or stiffness after bite or sting No Muscle spasms or stiffness after bite or sting Do you have pain at the site of the bite or sting? The pain may feel like a burning pain. It may be very bad for several minutes right after the bite. You may still have some pain hours later. Yes Pain or burning pain at site of bite or sting No Pain or burning pain at site of bite or sting How bad is the pain on a scale of 0 to 10, if 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain you can imagine? 8 to 10: Severe pain Severe pain 5 to 7: Moderate pain Moderate pain 1 to 4: Mild pain Mild pain Has the pain lasted for more than 8 hours? Yes Pain for more than 8 hours No Pain for more than 8 hours Is the pain getting worse? Have you tried home treatment for more than 2 days? Home treatment includes things like using ice on the area, taking an antihistamine, and taking pain medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Yes Home treatment for more than 2 days No Home treatment for more than 2 days Did you get more than one bite or sting? This does not include mosquito bites. Yes More than 1 bite or sting No More than 1 bite or sting Was there more than one bite or sting from bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, or fire ants? Yes 2 or more bites or stings from bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, or fire ants No 2 or more bites or stings from bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, or fire ants Did you get at least 5 bites or stings from bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, or fire ants? Yes 5 or more bites or stings from bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, or fire ants No 5 or more bites or stings from bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, or fire ants Did you get at least 10 bites or stings from bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, or fire ants? Yes 10 or more bites or stings from bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, or fire ants No 10 or more bites or stings from bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, or fire ants Have symptoms lasted for more than a week after the bite or sting? Yes Symptoms for more than 1 week after bite or sting No Symptoms for more than 1 week after bite or sting Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind
of care you may need. These include: - Your age. Babies and older
adults tend to get sicker quicker.
- Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart
disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care
sooner.
- Medicines you take. Certain
medicines, herbal remedies, and supplements can cause symptoms or make them
worse.
- Recent health events, such as surgery
or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them
more serious.
- Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug
use, sexual history, and travel.
Try Home TreatmentYou have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be
able to take care of this problem at home. - Try home treatment to relieve the
symptoms.
- Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any
concerns (for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect).
You may need care sooner.
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction
(anaphylaxis) may include: - The sudden appearance of raised, red areas (hives)
all over the body.
- Rapid swelling of the throat, mouth, or tongue.
- Trouble
breathing.
- Passing out (losing consciousness). Or you may feel very lightheaded or suddenly feel weak, confused,
or restless.
A severe reaction can be life-threatening. If you have had a
bad allergic reaction to a substance before and are exposed to it again, treat
any symptoms as an emergency. Even if the symptoms are mild at first, they may
quickly become very severe. Symptoms of infection may
include: - Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in or
around the area.
- Red streaks leading from the area.
- Pus draining from the area.
- A fever.
Pain in adults and older children - Severe pain (8 to 10): The pain
is so bad that you can't stand it for more than a few hours, can't sleep, and
can't do anything else except focus on the pain.
- Moderate pain (5 to 7): The pain is bad enough to disrupt your
normal activities and your sleep, but you can tolerate it for hours or days.
Moderate can also mean pain that comes and goes even if it's severe when it's
there.
- Mild pain (1 to 4): You notice the pain,
but it is not bad enough to disrupt your sleep or activities.
Pain in children under 3 years It can be hard to tell how much pain a baby or toddler is in. - Severe pain (8 to 10): The
pain is so bad that the baby cannot sleep, cannot get comfortable, and cries
constantly no matter what you do. The baby may kick, make fists, or
grimace.
- Moderate pain (5 to 7): The baby is
very fussy, clings to you a lot, and may have trouble sleeping but responds
when you try to comfort him or her.
- Mild pain (1 to 4): The baby is a little fussy and clings to you a little but responds
when you try to comfort him or her.
Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system's ability to fight off infection and
illness. Some examples in adults are: - Diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease,
and HIV/AIDS.
- Long-term alcohol and drug
problems.
- Steroid medicines, which may be used to treat a variety
of conditions.
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for
cancer.
- Other medicines used to treat autoimmune
disease.
- Medicines taken after organ transplant.
- Not
having a spleen.
Shock is a life-threatening condition that may quickly occur
after a sudden illness or injury. Symptoms of shock (most of which will be present) include: - Passing out (losing consciousness).
- Feeling very dizzy or
lightheaded, like you may pass out.
- Feeling very weak or having
trouble standing.
- Not feeling alert or able to think clearly. You
may be confused, restless, fearful, or unable to respond to questions.
Shock is a life-threatening condition that may occur quickly
after a sudden illness or injury. Symptoms of shock in a child may include: - Passing out (losing consciousness).
- Being very sleepy or hard
to wake up.
- Not responding when being touched or talked to.
- Breathing much faster than usual.
- Acting confused.
The child may not know where he or she is.
You may need a tetanus shot depending
on how dirty the wound is and how long it has been since your last shot. - For a dirty wound that has
things like dirt, saliva, or feces in it, you may need a shot if:
- You haven't had a tetanus shot in the past 5
years.
- You don't know when your last shot was.
- For a clean wound, you may
need a shot if:
- You have not had a tetanus shot in the past 10
years.
- You don't know when your last shot was.
Sudden tiny red or purple spots or
sudden bruising may be early symptoms of a serious
illness or bleeding problem. There are two types. Petechiae (say "puh-TEE-kee-eye"): - Are tiny, flat red or purple spots in the skin or
the lining of the mouth.
- Do not turn white when you press on
them.
- Range from the size of a pinpoint to the size of a small pea and do not itch or cause pain.
- May spread over a large area of the body within a few hours.
- Are different than tiny, flat red spots or birthmarks that are
present all the time.
Purpura (say "PURR-pyuh-ruh" or “PURR-puh-ruh”): - Is sudden, severe bruising that occurs for no clear
reason.
- May be in one area or all over.
- Is different
than the bruising that happens after you bump into something.
Seek Care NowBased on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. - Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and
arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have
one, seek care in the next hour.
- You do not need to call an
ambulance unless:
- You cannot travel safely either by driving
yourself or by having someone else drive you.
- You are in an area
where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.
Call 911 NowBased on your answers, you need
emergency care. Call911or other emergency services now. Seek Care TodayBased on your answers, you may need care soon. The
problem probably will not get better without medical care. - Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms
and arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't
have one, seek care today.
- If it is evening, watch the symptoms and
seek care in the morning.
- If the symptoms get worse, seek care
sooner.
Make an Appointment Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical
care. - Make an appointment to see your doctor in the
next 1 to 2 weeks.
- If appropriate, try home treatment while you
are waiting for the appointment.
- If symptoms get worse or you have
any concerns, call your doctor. You may need care sooner.
Seek Care NowBased on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. - Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and
arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have
one, go to the emergency room now. You may have a reaction after the
epinephrine wears off.
- You do not need to call an ambulance unless:
- You cannot travel safely either by driving
yourself or by having someone else drive you.
- You are in an area
where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.
Eye Injuries Tick Bites Home TreatmentCommon bites and stingsMost bites and stings will
heal on their own without a visit to a doctor. There are several things you can
do to relieve pain and itching and prevent infection from a bite or
sting. Insect or spider bites or stings or contact with caterpillars - Move away from the stinging or biting insect.
Bees will alert other bees, making them more likely to
sting.
- Remain as calm and quiet as possible. Movement increases the
spread of venom in the bloodstream.
- If you have been stung by a bee
and the stinger is still in the skin,
remove the stinger as quickly as
possible.
- If you have been stung on the arm or leg, lower the limb
at the time of the sting to slow the spread of venom. Hours later, if swelling
is present, you can elevate the limb to help reduce swelling.
- After
contact with a
puss caterpillar, remove broken-off spines by placing cellophane tape or
commercial facial peel over the area of the contact and pulling it off.
- If you have been stung by a scorpion, see a doctor right away. There is now a medicine (antidote) for scorpion stings.
Relieve pain, itching, and swelling - Apply an
ice pack to a bite or sting for 15 to 20 minutes once an hour for the first
6 hours. When not using ice, keep a cool, wet cloth on the bite or sting for up
to 6 hours. Always keep a cloth between your skin and the ice pack. Do not
apply ice for longer than 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Do not fall asleep
with the ice on your skin.
- Elevate the area of the bite or sting
to decrease swelling.
- Try a
nonprescription medicine for the relief of itching,
redness, and swelling. Be sure to follow the
nonprescription medicine precautions.
- An
antihistamine taken by mouth, such as a nondrowsy one like loratadine (Claritin) or one that might make you sleepy like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), may help relieve itching, redness, and swelling. Don't give
antihistamines to your child unless you've checked with the doctor first.
- A spray of
local anesthetic containing benzocaine, such as Solarcaine, may help relieve
pain. If your skin reacts to the spray, stop using it.
- Hydrocortisone 1% cream or calamine lotion applied to the skin may help relieve itching
and redness. Note: Do not use the cream on children
younger than age 2 unless your doctor tells you to. Do not use in the rectal or
vaginal area in children younger than age 12 unless your doctor tells you to.
- After the first 6 hours, if swelling is not
present, try applying warmth to the site for comfort.
Medicine you can buy without a prescription| Try a nonprescription
medicine to help treat your fever or pain: |
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Talk to your child's doctor before switching back and
forth between doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. When you switch between two
medicines, there is a chance your child will get too much medicine. | Safety tips| Be sure to follow
these safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine: |
|---|
- Carefully read and follow all
directions on the medicine bottle and box.
- Do not take more than
the recommended dose.
- Do not take a medicine if you have had an
allergic reaction to it in the past.
- If
you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take
it.
- If you are or could be pregnant, do not take any medicine other
than acetaminophen unless your doctor has told you to.
- Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 unless your doctor tells you to.
| Some people try a
home remedy, such as putting witch hazel or underarm deodorant on the bite. Home remedies haven't been proven
scientifically, but usually they won't hurt you if you want to try them. Prevent a skin infection - Wash the area with clean
water 2 times a day.
- After washing, wipe the area with rubbing alcohol or
first-aid antiseptic.
- Trim fingernails to prevent scratching, which
can lead to infection.
- Do not break any blisters that
develop.
- You may cover the wound with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
For home treatment of lice, scabies, tick bites, bedbugs, or kissing bugs,
see the topics
Body Lice, Head Lice, Pubic Lice,
Scabies,
Tick Bites,
Bedbugs, and Kissing Bugs. Symptoms to watch for during home treatmentCall your doctor if any of the following occur during home
treatment: PreventionTake the following measures to help
prevent bites and stings. - Apply
insect repellent before going into the woods or other
areas where you may come in contact with insects. Use insect repellents
according to directions, particularly when applying repellent to
children.
- Apply repellents safely.
- Use a lower-concentration repellent on
children.
- Do not put repellent on small children's hands, since
they often put their hands in their mouths.
- Wash the insect
repellent off with soap and water after returning indoors.
- Wear light-colored, smooth-finished clothes that
cover your body, such as long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Button long
sleeves and tuck long pants inside boots. Avoid loose clothes that might
entangle a biting or stinging insect. Avoid bright colors. Avoid going
barefooted or wearing sandals outdoors. Some outdoor stores may sell clothing
treated with a repellent.
- Avoid wearing perfumed lotions,
aftershave, or scented hair products during the warm months.
- Take
positive steps to manage your surroundings.
- Always close car windows.
- Do not
put your picnic out until you are ready to eat. Repack picnic food as soon
as you are finished serving.
- Avoid flowering plants.
- If
you have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to
insect bites or stings, have someone else mow lawns or clip hedges.
- Avoid swatting at insects or flailing your arms
around them. Instead, retreat slowly and calmly when insects act
threatening.
Additional measures include those to: If you have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to
bites or stings in the past: Preparing For Your AppointmentTo prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment. You can help your
doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the
following questions: - What type of insect or spider bit or stung you?
Be prepared to describe it.
- When were you bitten or stung? How many
times were you bitten or stung? Where on your body were you bitten or stung?
- Have you ever had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a similar bite or
sting?
- What are your main symptoms?
- When did your
symptoms begin? How have your symptoms developed, progressed, or changed since
the bite or sting?
- What home treatment have you tried for the bite
or sting? Did it help?
- What prescription or nonprescription
medicines have your tried on the bite? Did they help?
- Have you
traveled recently?
- Do you have any
health risks?
CreditsByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerWilliam H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerH. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine Current as ofApril 13, 2017 Current as of:
April 13, 2017 Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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