Seek Immediate Medical Attention!
These symptoms can be life-threatening.
carry an "Epipen",( a pre-loaded syringe of epinephrine), if prone to severe allergic reaction from insect bites
bees, fire ants, hornets, wasps and yellow jackets cause approximately 50 % of severe reactions
wear white or light colored solid clothes to avoid bee stings
peak swelling from a bite is in 1-2 hours
pustules from fire ants develop in 12 hours
an individual sensitive to flea bites may have itchy, raised, round bumps for weeks
Urgent Care - Have you identified one or more of the following symptoms?
severe "local" reaction: swelling, tenderness, burning or pain at the site of the bite
streaking or spreading redness outward from bite
unsuccessful removal of a tick
tick that has been attached for more than a day
many fire ant bites
Yes
No
Contact Your Health Care Provider.
Self-Management - You can help in the following ways:
remove stinger if present, by scraping off with plastic card or fingernail
do not squeeze or use tweezers to remove stinger
rub bite with deodorant containing aluminum salts, baking soda paste or meat tenderizer or apply cold pack for 10 minutes
apply hydrocortisone cream (Cortaid, Hydrocort) as needed to relieve itching
take OTC antihistamine (Benadryl) as needed to relieve itching
bathe with cool baking soda or oatmeal (Aveeno) to relieve itching
trim fingernails to avoid scratching and possible infection
tick bite - to remove, use tweezers near head and pull gently
brown recluse spider - is fawn to dark brown with violin shaped spot; bite causes rash, ulcerations, fever, headache, vomiting, joint pain, yellow skin and shock
black widow spider - has a coal black spherical body with an orange or red hourglass shape marking on under surface (note: bite can be life threatening in a young child)
