Insect Bites and Stings

BITES:

Even though most of these insect bites are normally harmless, these insect bites can be extremely irritating. For example, some insect bites can cause intense itching while others can even cause mild to moderate pain. There are some over-the-counter products and self-care measures that you can try to relieve symptoms associated with insect bites.  
 
AT HOME REMEDIES 

ICE PACK
- Place an ice pack or ice wrapped in cloth on the site of the insect bite to reduce swelling and pain. 
CUT FINGERNAILS AND WEAR GLOVES 
- Cut and file your fingernails. Wear gloves before going to sleep. Do not scratch your skin. Scratching can open up your skin, allowing for bacteria to get in. 
WASH ALL INFECTED CLOTHING/SHEETS 
- Wash all infected clothing/sheets to get rid of bed bugs and fleas. 
REMOVE THE TICK IF YOU HAVE A TICK BITE
- Remove the entire tick with tweezers if you have a tick bite. Be sure to completely remove the tick (including the head). Do NOT use petroleum jelly (i.e. Vaseline) or a hot match to kill and remove the tick because these methods will only allow the tick to get deeper into your skin. 

OVER-THE-COUNTER PRODUCTS 

PAIN RELIEVERS 
- Pain relievers applied on the skin or taken by mouth can be used to relieve pain. 
- Examples of pain relievers that can be applied on the skin include: Pramoxine, Benzyl Alcohol, *Benzocaine, Lidocaine, *Dibucaine, and *Phenol.
*Use Dibucaine and Phenol with caution because they can have potentially serious side effects. 
*Use Benzocaine with caution, especially in children, because it can result in a condition that decreases the amount of oxygen that blood can carry to body tissues. 
- Examples of pain relievers that can be taken by the mouth include: Ibuprofen (Advil) and Acetaminophen (Tylenol). 

ANTIHISTAMINES  
- Antihistamines applied on the skin or taken by mouth can be used to relieve pain.
- Examples of antihistamines that can be applied on the skin include Diphenhydramine (Benadryl Cream).  
- Examples of antihistamines that can be taken by mouth include Diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

COUNTERIRRITANTS
- Counterirritants that can be applied on the skin can be used to relieve pain.  
- Examples of counterirritants include: Camphor and Menthol. 

STEROIDS
- Steroids that can be applied on the skin can relieve itching and inflammation. 
- Examples of steroids that can be applied on the skin include: Hydrocortisone. 
*Note: Do not use steroids if you have scabies or fungal/bacterial infections.  

SKIN PROTECTANTS
- Skin protectants protect the skin from further irritation and reduce inflammation/ irritation.  Some may even reduce or stop oozing of fluids from your skin (i.e. Zinc oxide and Calamine). These products are recommended for both children and adults. 
- Examples of skin protectants include: Zinc Oxide, Calamine, and Titanium Dioxide. 

STINGS:

Even though some of these insect stings may only result in mild symptoms such as itching and pain, some are dangerous and even potentially deadly. It is therefore important to know when you need to seek immediate medical attention. For all milder cases, there are some over-the-counter products and self-care measures that you can try. 

AT HOME REMEDIES

ICE PACK
- Place an ice pack or ice wrapped in cloth on the site of the insect sting to reduce swelling and pain.
CUT FINGERNAILS AND WEAR GLOVES
- Cut and file your fingernails. Wear gloves before going to sleep. Do not scratch your skin. Scratching can open up your skin, allowing for bacteria to get in.
REMOVE THE STINGER AND VENOM SACK.
- Remove the stinger immediately to prevent more venom from getting into your skin. You can use the edge of a credit card and scrape it from side to side to remove the stinger. Do not use tweezers because this method only injects more venom into your skin. After you have removed the stinger, you should wash the sting area with soap and water.

OVER-THE-COUNTER PRODUCTS

PAIN RELIEVERS
- Pain relievers applied on the skin or taken by mouth can be used to relieve pain.
- Examples of pain relievers that can be applied on the skin include: Pramoxine, Benzyl Alcohol, *Benzocaine, Lidocaine, *Dibucaine, and *Phenol.
*Use Dibucaine and Phenol with caution because they can have potentially serious side effects.
*Use Benzocaine with caution, especially in children, because it can result in a condition that decreases the amount of oxygen that blood can carry to body tissues.
- Examples of pain relievers that can be taken by the mouth include: Ibuprofen (Advil) and Acetaminophen (Tylenol).

ANTIHISTAMINES 
- Antihistamines applied on the skin or taken by mouth can be used to relieve pain.
- Examples of antihistamines that can be applied on the skin include Diphenhydramine (Benadryl Cream). 
- Examples of antihistamines that can be taken by mouth include Diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

COUNTERIRRITANTS
- Counterirritants that can be applied on the skin can be used to relieve pain. 
- Examples of counterirritants include: Camphor and Menthol.

STEROIDS
- Steroids that can be applied on the skin can relieve itching and inflammation.
- Examples of steroids that can be applied on the skin include: Hydrocortisone.
*Note: Do not use steroids if you have scabies or fungal/bacterial infections. 

SKIN PROTECTANTS
- Skin protectants protect the skin from further irritation and reduce inflammation/ irritation.  Some may even reduce or stop oozing of fluids from your skin (i.e. Zinc oxide and Calamine). These products are recommended for both children and adults.
- Examples of skin protectants include: Zinc Oxide, Calamine, and Titanium Dioxide.