Whether you’re attacked
while working in the garden, enjoying a picnic in the park or lounging by the
pool, bug bites and stings are an inevitable summer annoyance. At best, bites
and stings can be uncomfortable for a few days; at worst, they can be a
serious, life-threatening hazard.
Here are some tips on
how to relieve the itch or sting and when to know if you should seek medical
attention:
If the bite or sting is
mildly painful or itchy, apply over-the-counter medication that contains
Benadryl or cortisone for topical relief. Other home remedies, like a applying
a paste made from baking soda and water, dabbing on ammonia with a cotton ball,
soaking in oatmeal baths or even applying toothpaste to the site may also
provide relief.
Whatever you do, don’t
scratch. This can cause an infection and leave a scar. And it won’t relieve the
itch or sting.
If you feel faint,
nauseous, dizzy or disoriented, or if you experience rapid heartbeat,
difficulty breathing or your lips, tongue or throat swell, call 911
immediately. These symptoms indicate a severe allergy to the insect’s venom.
Administer an Epi-pen (injectable epinephrine) if one is available and
administer CPR if symptoms worsen before emergency personnel arrive. After the
episode, follow up with a physician who can determine an allergy prevention
treatment.
Stay alert for delayed
symptoms around the bite or sting, like redness or swelling, which could
indicate an infection or other condition. And see a doctor right away if you
have a headache, fever or joint pain within a few days of being bitten. Some
insects, like ticks and mosquitoes, can infect their victims with serious,
flulike illnesses, such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease and West
Nile virus, which only a physician can diagnose and treat.
Most important, use
insect repellent when outdoors and wear light-weight, light-colored clothing
over arms, legs and feet to keep insects off your skin. And avoid wearing
perfume and fragrances, which can attract bugs.
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