Insect Bites and Stings

If you spend any time outside, you’re likely to encounter biting and stinging insects sooner or later. Most of the time, you can use a natural bug bite relief to make the affected area feel better and be on your way. Look through the categories below to see if your insect bites require medical help or will be fine with a simple solution. 

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are known for biting more than anything else, and they’re pretty easy to recognize. The affected area will form a small, round, puffy bump that usually itches, and you may get more than one at once. Mosquito bites are not dangerous unless you live in a high-risk area for deadly viruses.

Ants

Regular black ants probably won’t bite you, but you may be at risk for fire ants if you live in an area they like. In many cases, you’ll just get small and swollen spots that can blister and itch for up to a week. However, if you get a lot of bites or have a severe reaction, you may need to consider urgent care. 

Flies

Fly bites usually are just an annoyance to the victim, causing a painful or itchy rash in the affected area. Unless you have a severe allergy or live somewhere they tend to carry diseases, though, you’ll probably find it safe to treat a fly bite at home.

Ticks

Ticks are among the more dangerous biting insects because they tend to carry Lyme’s disease, but if you’re careful, you can catch them before the infection gets that far. If you can see the tick still on the skin, you may be able to extract it with tweezers to get the head out. If you experience concerning symptoms, see a doctor.

Lice

While lice can be a quick-spreading inconvenience, the worst most people will experience from lice bites is an itchy reaction at the site. However, if you scratch too much at the itchy spots, you risk breaking the skin, which can lead to an infection. Until you reach that point, you’ll probably be able to treat lice at home.

Fleas

Fleas are usually a sign that you need to clean your pets or furniture, but beyond that, they won’t usually harm you. If bitten, you’ll see red bumps, sometimes surrounded by a halo, and you’ll likely find the area itchy. Avoid scratching and keep an eye out for infection, and you should be okay.