Insect Bites and Stings

As the warmer months approach, more and more insects are hatching and people are more subject to insect bites and stings. Bees, hornets, yellow jackets, wasps, mosquitoes, and fire ants are the most common culprits for inflicting these types of injuries. While many people experience burning, itching, and redness at the location of the bite or sting that typically subsides without treatment in a few hours, millions of Americans are allergic to stinging insects and require more comprehensive treatment.

An allergic reaction to an insect sting can occur immediately, within minutes, or even hours after the sting (although never more than 24 hrs.).

Such a reaction may be characterized by hives, itchiness, and swelling in areas other than the sting site, difficulty in breathing, dizziness (or a sharp drop in blood pressure), nausea, cramps or diarrhea, unconsciousness, and cardiac arrest. Individuals with severe reactions should report to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Many over-the-counter preparations are available for less severe reactions and relief of the itching and burning. However, if you have a large number of bites or a great amount of pain or discomfort, please call our office and schedule an appointment to see Dr. Abrams or our Nurse Practitioner. We can provide prescription strength preparations and antihistamines to help provide relief and examine the affected locations to ensure they have not become infected.

If you'd like to learn more about insect bites and stings, browse some of the links below for information provided by some of the top dermatological resources available online.

Stinging Insect Allergies

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