Bug bites and stings: Knowing when care is needed

As warmer weather draws people outdoors, bug bites and stings become a common seasonal concern. Most bites from mosquitoes, ticks and other insects cause mild symptoms such as redness, swelling and itching that typically improve with basic home care.

However, some bites and stings can lead to more significant reactions or complications, especially if symptoms worsen or do not improve over time.

“If you see an insect, spider or tick on your skin, remove it as soon as possible,” says Elyse Thorne, NP. “Skin itching, redness and swelling around the bite or sting can form over minutes to hours and should improve over several days.”

Typical care for mild bites includes washing the area with soap and water, applying a cold compress and using anti-itch creams or oral antihistamines as recommended. Patients should avoid scratching, which can break the skin and increase the risk of infection.

According to Thorne, the best way to prevent bug bites and stings is to wear long clothing and close-toed shoes when outside gardening, spending time in the woods or around bodies of water. Applying bug spray to exposed skin before outdoor activities can also decrease the likelihood of bites and stings.

On-Demand Virtual Visits provide a convenient option for evaluating bug bites and stings that raise questions or cause ongoing discomfort. Through a virtual visit, an IU Health provider can assess symptoms, review photos if needed and recommend appropriate treatment or monitoring from home.

In-person evaluation may be needed if redness spreads, pain increases, drainage develops or fever occurs, which can indicate infection. IU Health Urgent Care also treats more significant reactions to bites or stings, including swelling that interferes with normal activity or symptoms that do not respond to initial treatment.

“While severe systemic allergic reactions to stings are uncommon (less than 3%), it is important to seek care immediately in the closest emergency department if you experience any of the following: sudden hoarse voice, difficulty breathing or swallowing, noisy or wheezy breathing, severe facial swelling, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness,” advises Thorne.

While most bug bites are a nuisance rather than a medical emergency, knowing when to seek care helps prevent complications and supports a safer, more comfortable experience outdoors.