Treating Bug Bites

Mosquito bites, bee stings and more.  Summer is a common time for bug bites.  And some bug bites can be more than a nuisance.  Pain, itching, redness, concern about infection and transmittable disease are the most common reasons patients come to the dermatologist for bug bites. So, in this post, I’m gonna save you a trip and give a nickel’s worse of free advice.

Why do bug bites itch and sting?  Bug bites itch because the physical bite or venom of the bug triggers a release of inflammatory mediators in our skin that causes us to sense itching and burning.  Then, rubbing or scratching the bite or sting causes another host of inflammatory mediators. 

What should I use to treat the most common types of bites and stings? Assuming you are not allergic to bee stings, here are suggestions for treatment.  If you are allergic of course, get your epipen ready or head to the emergency room.

Because there are multiple types of bites and stings, these treatment suggestions can vary, but these are the most common ones I recommend each day for patients with bites and stings.

STOP the ITCH – You don’t have to spend much time with me in the office to know that one of my favorite products is Cerave Itch Relief Cream containing Pramoxine.  It numbs the itch sensation within 2 minutes and lasts about 8 hours.  It is wonderful for lots of things including bug bites and stings that itch.  An oral antihistamine such as Claritin can also help, but generally isn’t necessarily unless the patient has a lot of bites.

APPLY A TOPICAL STEROID – An OTC Hydrocortisone is a good place to start, but if you happen to have some higher potency topical steroid at home like triamcinolone or clobetasol, a tiny smidge will work wonders. Apply topical steroid twice a day.  The redness should resolve in 48-72 hours.  This effect will NOT be as immediate, but will help in the long run.  An oral anti-inflammatory and pain reliever such as Ibuprofen can be used if there are a number of stings.

A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH – Often, if I have a bug bite I apply just a smidge of cortisone cream for its long term action AND a little bit of Cerave itch relief for its more immediate effect. 

DON’T PICK OR SCRATCH – Easier said than done, but itching and scratching open our skin and make it more susceptible to infection. Plus, it makes them take longer to heal and makes them scar more. 

APPLY ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENT  – Only if it looks infected.  A large number of people are allergic to antibiotic ointments, so we only use them when necessary.  I often prescribe Mupirocin ointment in the office, because patients are less likely to be allergic to it than neomycin (Neosporin) or Bacitracin.  

Worrisome signs for bug bites would be if the bite redness continues to enlarge significantly for days or weeks after the bite happens.  Also, if the bite site remains warm or hot to the touch 24 hours or more after the bite.

Hope that helps this summer and beyond!

If you know someone who may find this article helpful, please share it with them! Follow us on social media this week, and subscribe to our growing YouTube channel! If you would like to receive these posts in your email inbox, Subscribe to our Site.