Insect bites: quick first aid, treatment and prevention

Got an itchy red bump and not sure what to do? Insect bites are common and most are harmless, but some need fast care. This page gives clear steps you can use right away, simple home remedies that actually help, and signs that mean you should see a doctor.

Immediate steps to treat a fresh bite

First, stop the action. If a stinger is left in the skin (bees, wasps), scrape it out with a flat edge—don’t squeeze. Wash the area with soap and water to cut infection risk. Apply a cold pack or clean ice wrapped in cloth for 10–15 minutes to reduce swelling and pain. Keep the area elevated if it’s on an arm or leg.

For itching, use a short steroid cream (1% hydrocortisone) or calamine lotion. An oral antihistamine like cetirizine or loratadine can calm whole-body itching. For pain, acetaminophen or ibuprofen works. Avoid scratching—the skin can break and get infected.

Special cases: ticks, stings, and signs of trouble

Ticks need careful removal. Use fine-tipped tweezers, grab the tick close to the skin, and pull straight out without twisting. Don’t use petroleum, nail polish, or heat. Clean the site, save the tick in a sealed container if you can, and note the bite date. See a doctor if the tick was attached over 36 hours, or if you get fever, rash, or flu-like symptoms in the weeks after a bite.

Stinging insects (bees, wasps, hornets) can cause severe allergic reactions. Get emergency help right away if someone has swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, dizziness, or fainting. If they carry an epinephrine auto-injector, use it and call emergency services.

Watch for infection signs: spreading redness, increasing pain, warmth, pus, or swollen lymph nodes. Those signs mean you may need a prescription antibiotic.

Some bites carry disease. Mosquitoes can transmit viruses like West Nile or dengue in certain areas. Ticks can spread Lyme disease. If you develop fever, a spreading rash, joint pain, or severe fatigue after a bite, see a healthcare provider and mention the bite.

Home remedies that help: a cold compress for swelling, a paste of baking soda and water for itching, oatmeal baths for multiple bites, and calamine lotion for comfort. Avoid applying unknown oils or herbal pastes that can irritate skin.

Prevention is the best cure. Use EPA-registered repellents (DEET or picaridin), wear long sleeves and pants at dawn/dusk, fix torn window screens, and remove standing water to cut mosquito breeding. For homes, wash bedding regularly and check pets for fleas. If bed bugs or large infestations are suspected, call pest control.

One final tip: keep a small first-aid kit with tweezers, antiseptic wipes, antihistamine tablets, and a steroid cream when you travel. That way you can act fast and avoid a simple bite turning into a bigger problem.