With the tick population growing rapidly and a multitude of pests emerging in the summer heat, we are seeing a large number of patients for insect bites at Chelsea Skin & Laser.
Most bites and stings are harmless. They can be safely cleaned and treated at home with soap and water and a topical hydrocortisone cream or oral antihistamine for itching.
If you are bitten by several bugs, show any signs of an allergic reaction to the venom or if you think the bug might be carrying disease, seek emergent care immediately. Difficulty breathing, swelling, headache, dizziness, vomiting, fever, body aches, racing heartbeat, chest pain are some more severe bug bite reactions that require urgent medical attention.
If you’ve been bitten by a tick, try to remove the tick cleanly in an upward motion with tweezers. Place the tick in a sealed bag or jar so it can be tested for Lyme disease. Wash the area with soap and water.
To help avoid bites, wear bug repellant with at least 20-30% DEET, walk in cleared paths, cover as much of your body as possible when in wooded areas, examine your skin. Although most bug bites or stings are annoying but not serious, it is important to pay attention to symptoms that develop. How do you know when to see a dermatologist for an insect bite? If a rash develops, a red donut-shaped ring appears around a bite or if you feel tired all the time see Chelsea Skin & Laser immediately.