Insect Stings and Bites Specialist in Suffern, and Monroe NY

Insect bites and stings, especially from bees, are very common for people of all ages. In most cases they are usually harmless, however, some people can experience an allergic reaction that can be mild to severe. When the insect stings you, it will inject its venom into your system, which can trigger an allergic reaction, causing swelling and redness to appear in the bite area. Bites from insects like wasps, hornets, horseflies, and fire ants can be painful. The affected area usually turns red and inflamed following the bite. On the other hand, mosquito, flea, or mite stings cause mild irritation and small bumps at the site of the bite or sting. In rare instances, an insect bite may be responsible for transmitting diseases to a human such as Lyme disease or West Nile Virus.

Sometimes, mosquito bites can cause malaria, dengue, or other viral diseases that may not show symptoms in the form of a skin rash but can present a fever and other symptoms. For an insect bite that leaves a visible mark on the skin, any general physician will be able to identify it as a bug bite. In severe cases, you may need to check with a dermatologist.

Different kinds of insect bites will cause people to have different reactions. For example, mosquitoes cause a small, itchy lump on the skin where they bite, but it is generally harmless. Fire ant bites usually cause a stinging rash and in extreme cases, a hard lump will form on the skin with a boil on top. Bedbugs give you rashes all over your skin, and in extreme cases, itchy blisters will form. If bitten by a poisonous spider, you will need to visit the ER for treatment. A spider bite that requires emergency treatment will look like a burn, with the affected skin appearing to be punctured and the area feeling painful and itchy. A bee sting, on the other hand, is identified by a white spot that appears around the red pinpoint-looking mark on the skin where the stinger pierced the skin.

Most harmless insect bites look like small, soft lumps and can be treated at home with an ice pack on the area as a first-aid measure.

In the U.S., one can experience an insect bite from mosquitoes, bedbugs, mites, flies, fleas, bees or wasps, spiders, or fire ants. For bites that are identified by a small bump, rash, or swelling, you need to remove the stinger if it is visible. Apply ice on the infected area and elevate the limb to help reduce the swelling and redness. If you are in pain, take over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

While most insect bites are harmless, in some people they can trigger an allergic reaction. If the bug is carrying a disease, you may not develop a general rash, but other symptoms such as fever, body swelling (especially in the face), and/or dizziness. If you have any of these symptoms, or have been bitten by several bugs at the same time, consult a doctor, particularly if you are experiencing:

– Difficulty in breathing and/or pain in the chest.
– Racing heartbeat.
– Swelling of the throat, lips, tongue, eyes, or the face.
– Headache, tiredness, body aches, chills, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.
– Fever that doesn’t go below 101°.
– A spotty black and red rash that is spreading; this could be a sign of a bacterial infection.
– A donut-shaped rash after a sting; could be Lyme disease.
– Pus-filled boil in the sting area.

Spider bites are always considered a medical emergency that requires medical treatment through an urgent care or emergency room. For other insect bites, if you have a fever, along with body aches and no major skin rash, visit a general physician. If the skin rash spreads or turns black, see a dermatologist immediately. Children and elderly people are generally more susceptible to severe reactions from insect bites. They need to be taken to a healthcare center immediately to get looked at by a doctor.

An insect bite that is not serious may continue to show symptoms for up to 6 weeks following the bite, but the timing varies from insect to insect and is dependent on how a person’s body reacts to the bite. Most insect bites will heal by themselves after the initial itching and pain wear off, as long as they are kept clean, well taken care of, and monitored to ensure there are no adverse effects from the bite. For serious insect bites, you need to visit a general doctor immediately to ensure that the bite is properly cleaned and taken care of. If you have insect bites or stings, then we encourage you to contact us through our website or book an appointment online. Allergy & Asthma Care Rockland is here to help improve your overall health and well-being. We serve patients from Suffern NY, Monroe NY, New City NY, Spring Valley NY, Monsey NY, Airmont NY and Mahwah NJ.