Treating Insect Bites

Submitted by admin on Wed, 06/29/2011 - 22:35

Insect Bites & Stings

Itching - this can be treated with benadryl by mouth (click here for dosing), or a variety of over-the-counter itch-stopping products applied directly to the bite. Be careful, these can sting if the bite has been scratched open. Pink Calamine lotion or Aveeno anti-itch cream with calamine can be very effective for itching, but be aware that if placed on a bite that has been scratched open, it may increase the chance of scarring. Benadryl cream is also available, but should only be used sparingly if you are also giving Benadryl by mouth to avoid overdose.
Cut the fingernails - this will decrease the risk of infection being introduced into the bites, and will lessen the chance of scarring.
Stinging or burning - apply a cold washcloth to any particularly large, burning, stinging or itching bites.
Prevent infection - flea bites and mosquito bites usually don't require any special measures to prevent infection of the surrounding skin. Insect bites will normally have some amount of redness and swelling, as well as a bit of clear drainage. Spider bites, however, tend to create a much larger area of redness and swelling. While this is normal, it does increase the risk of infection developing in the bite. Before a bite becomes infected - here are some measures you can take to prevent a large spider bite from becoming infected. Follow these steps two or three times a day:
- Wash the bite with warm soapy water.
- Apply some diluted hydrogen peroxide (mix ½ water with ½ peroxide).
- Wash off the peroxide after two minutes.
- Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment.
- Ice applied to a large spider bite can decrease the pain and burning.
  
  Following these steps will usually prevent an infection from setting in.
Infected bites - if the red area around the bite continues to enlarge, becomes more swollen and painful, and starts to drain pus, then it has become infected. Here are some steps you should follow three times a day if this occurs:
- Wash with warm soapy water.
- Apply a hot washcloth to the area for 10 minutes.
- Apply diluted hydrogen peroxide, then wash off after two minutes.
- Apply diluted Betadine solution (mix ¼ of this over-the-counter brownish red antiseptic with ¾ water) and let it dry for two minutes.
- Thoroughly wash off all Betadine.
- Apply over-the-counter antibiotic ointment. If your doctor will call in a prescription strength ointment called Bactroban, then this may work better.
  
  It may take one or two days for this treatment to start to improve the infection, but it should not keep getting worse during this treatment.
More serious infection - if the redness and drainage continue to worsen, or your child develops fevers or red streaks extending out from the bite, then you should see your doctor right away. If it is after hours, you should page your doctor. Your child will probably need antibiotics to treat the infection.

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Treating Insect Bites

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