Insect Bites and Stings

BITES:

Each of these insects injects a distinct irritating substance into your body. Thus, each insect bite results in different symptoms.

MOSQUITOES
- Swollen bumps on the skin 
- Itching 
FLEAS
- Multiple bites grouped together, particularly on your legs and ankles (since they do not have wings and can only jump from host to host)  
- Intense itching 
THE ITCH MITE (SARCOPTES SCABIEI) 
- Inflammation 
- Intense itching (especially at night) 
BEDBUGS 
- Irritation 
- Some bleeding 
TICKS 
- Itching 
- Circular and red rash that gradually expands into a Bull’s Eye Shape [This may be indicative of Lyme Disease—an inflammatory disease spread through an infected deer tick]
- Flu-like symptoms—This may be indicative of Lyme Disease—an inflammatory disease spread through an infected deer tick] 
RED BUGS (CHIGGERS) 
- Intense Itching 
SPIDERS(BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS AND BROWN RECLUSE SPIDERS) 
- Swelling 
- Redness 
- Intense pain within 2 to 8 hours after being bitten 
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Belly pain 
- Fevers 
- Chills 
- Vomiting 
- Shortness of breath  
- Death of body tissues (specific to Brown Recluse Spiders only) 

PLEASE SEE YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU:
- Are younger than 2 years old 
- Have a suspected scabies bite
- Have a tick bite with bull’s eye rash and flu like symptoms 
- Have a skin infection  
- Have a severe allergic reaction
- Have been bitten by a black widow or brown recluse spider
- Have symptoms that persist or worsen after 7 days 

STINGS:

When these stinging insects pierce your skin and inject venom into your body, you may get an allergic reaction. Depending on what kind of insect has stung you, you may experience some of the following symptoms:

SCORPIONS
- Pain
- Swelling
- Upset stomach
- Drowsiness
- Vision problems

WILD HONEYBEES, PAPER WASPS, HORNETS, YELLOW JACKETS, KILLER BEES, FIRE ANTS
- Pain
- Itching
- Irritation
- Hives
- Itching
- Swelling
- Feeling Lightheaded
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Chest pain

PLEASE SEE YOUR DOCTOR OR SEEK EMERGENCY MEDICAL HELP IF YOU:
- Have been stung by a scorpion
- Have an serious allergic reaction (including hives, itching, swelling, feeling lightheaded, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or choking)*
*If you know you have a serious allergic reaction to insect stings, you can ask your doctor to prescribe for you an emergency epinephrine kit or Epi-pen. 
- Are younger than 2 years old 
- Have signs of an infection