Bedbug bite; Bee sting; Bites - insects, bees, and spiders; Black widow spider bite; Brown recluse bite; Flea bite; Honey bee or hornet sting; Lice bites; Mite bite; Scorpion bite; Spider bite; Wasp sting; Yellow jacket sting

For emergencies (severe reactions):

1. Check the person's airways and breathing. If necessary, call 911 and begin rescue breathing and CPR.
2. Reassure the person. Try to keep him or her calm.
3. Remove nearby rings and constricting items because the affected area may swell.
4. Use the person's EpiPen or other emergency kit, if they have one. (Some people who have serious insect reactions carry it with them.)
5. If appropriate, treat the person for signs of shock. Remain with the person until medical help arrives.

General steps for most bites and stings:

1. Remove the stinger if still present by scraping the back of a credit card or other straight-edged object across the stinger. Do not use tweezers -- these may squeeze the venom sac and increase the amount of venom released.
2. Wash the site thoroughly with soap and water.
3. Place ice (wrapped in a washcloth) on the site of the sting for 10 minutes and then off for 10 minutes. Repeat this process.
4. If necessary, take an antihistamine, or apply creams that reduce itching.
5. Over the next several days, watch for signs of infection (such as increasing redness, swelling, or pain).

• Do NOT apply a tourniquet.
• Do NOT give the person stimulants, aspirin, or other pain medication unless prescribed by the doctor.

Call 911 if the person is having a severe reaction:

• Trouble breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath
• Swelling anywhere on the face or in the mouth
• Throat tightness or difficulty swallowing
• Feeling weak
• Turning blue

Images

Fly

Dust mite

Flea

Head louse infestation - scalp

Kissing bug

Pubic louse-male

Head louse and pubic louse

Brown recluse spider bite on the hand

Head louse, male

Insect bites on the legs

Insect bite reaction - close-up

Black widow spider

Lice, body with stool (Pediculus humanus)

Body louse

Bedbug - close-up

Black widow spider

Wasp

Insect stings and allergy

Body louse, female and larvae

Brown recluse spider

Flea bite - close-up

Head louse - female

Stinger removal

Crab louse, female

Mosquito, adult feeding on the skin

Insect bites and stings

Review Date: 01/13/2010
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)