FOR MORE INFORMATION
healthychildren.org: Diseases Spread by Insects & Animals
healthychildren.org: Insect Bites & Stings
healthychildren.org: What Parents Need to Know About Bedbugs
healthychildren.org: What Parents Need to Know About Head Lice
Insect Bites & Stings
Insects are everywhere, especially in the summer. Insects may bite or sting you. Most insect bites can be annoying, but can be treated at home.
Insect bites happen when an insect breaks the skin with it's mouth. Mosquitos, fleas, and bedbugs can cause bites. Bites usually cause a small red bump. The bite may turn into a blister, especially in younger children.
If bitten by an insect, take the following steps:
- Wash bites with soap and water. Apply ice or a cool compress for 10-20 minutes to reduce swelling.
- If bites are itchy, apply a topical steroid cream.
- In children over two, an anti-histamine like cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin) may help with itching. Ask your doctor before using these medicines in children under 2 years old.
Insect stings happen when an insect uses a part of it's body to pierce the skin and insert venom. Stings hurt more than bites.
If a child is stung by an insect, the stinger may still be in their skin. Remove it by looking for a black dot in the middle of the sting. Use a piece of tape or a credit card to remove it.
Wash stings with soap and water. You can use baking soda, aluminum-based deodorants, or powdered meat tenderizer to stop the venom. This will reduce pain and swelling. You can also use a cool compress.
If stings are itchy, apply a topical steroid cream to help. In children over two, an anti-histamine like cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin) may help
with itching. Ask your doctor before using these medicines in children under 2 years old.
Seek immediate medical care if your child has any of these symptoms after an insect bite or sting - these may be signs of anaphylaxis:
- Trouble breathing or wheezing
- Tightness in throat or chest
- Hard to wake up
- Acting confused
- Hives or swelling all over body
- Fever or the bite looks infected
- Past life-threatening reaction to the same insect and bitten/stung less than 2 hours ago
Bedbugs are small insects that hide in clothes, mattresses, cushions, or bed frames. They bite humans at night. Bites do not spread from person to person contact. Bed bugs do not mean that someone is unclean.
Bedbug bites usually appear on the face, neck, arms, and hands and are often in a line. They cause small, red itchy bumps. Learn more about how to find and control bedbugs at healthychildren.org-Bedbug Bites.
Fire ants are reddish-brown to black ants that live in soil mounds in the Southern United States. They sting! Symptoms start with mild pain and burning. Sting sites look red with raised white centers that turn into pimples.
Fire ant stings are very itchy. Call your doctor for severe swelling, especially near eyes. Learn more about fire ants at healthychildren.org-Fire Ants.
Head lice are common for preschool and school-aged children. They are spread by head-to-head contact or by sharing items like combs, brushes, hats, and helmets. The most common symptom of head lice is itchiness on the scalp.
If you suspect head lice, check with your child's physician before treatment. Visit healthychildren.org-Head Lice for more information.
Do you have questions about insect safety?
Call our FREE Safety Store Helpline at 317-274-6565. You can talk with our staff live Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM about your safety questions.