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Bug Bites
Prevention for Those Itching for Insect Bite Relief
Itchy, red swollen bumps on the skin are an all-too-familiar summer sign that bugs – and bug bites – are flourishing. That annoying itch may be a good sign, however.
"Itchy is normal; tender is not," when it comes to bug bites, says Dr. Robin Carder, assistant professor of dermatology and pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Tenderness, she cautions, may be a sign the bug bite is becoming infected and deserves more medical attention.
"The main thing to watch for would be whether the bite is secondarily infected," says Dr. Carder. "It is normal for a bug bite to be a little red or swollen, and it may even blister. But the lesion should be more itchy than sore. If it becomes tender, that may be a sign of infection."
Other signs of possible infection are redness extending beyond the immediate bug bite, drainage of pus, or worsening, rather than improvement, of the site over time.
Mosquitoes and chiggers are the most common causes of insect bites, and the bites are relatively easy to treat with over-the-counter remedies.
"Antihistamines like Benadryl (either the oral or the topical form) can be very effective in relieving the itch and decreasing the swelling, or hive-like response," Dr. Carder says. Topical steroids, such as hydrocortisone, also work well. Both can be found in touch sticks that can make it easier to target the affected area.
Days spent outdoors also can mean ant, tick, wasp and bee stings that can be more serious. Here are some of the most common bites and stings and Dr. Carder's advice on what to watch for and some ways to treat them:
Ant bites
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