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

• Avoid provoking insects whenever possible.
• Avoid rapid, jerky movements around insect hives or nests.
• Avoid perfumes and floral-patterned or dark clothing.
• Use appropriate insect repellants and protective clothing.
• Use caution when eating outdoors, especially with sweetened beverages or in areas around garbage cans, which often attract bees.
• For those who have a serious allergy to insect bites or stings, carry an emergency epinephrine kit (which requires a prescription). Friends and family should be taught how to use it if you have a reaction. Wear a medical ID bracelet.

Schlossberg D. Arthropods and leeches. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 380.

Fradin MS. Protection from blood-feeding arthropods. In: Auerbach PS, ed. Wilderness Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 41.

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)