Self-Care Guidelines
For stings:
- Bees may leave a stinger behind. Try to gently scrape the stinger off with a blunt object, such as a credit card.
- Wash the wound with soap and water.
- Apply an ice pack or cold water for a few minutes.
- Take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) for pain and an antihistamine (diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine) for itching, as needed.
For insect bites:
- Wash with soap and water.
- Apply cool compresses.
- Use antihistamines to relieve itching and take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) for pain.
- Apply 1% hydrocortisone cream to help reduce the itching.
For ticks (still attached):
- Using tweezers, grasp the tick as near the skin as possible, and pull firmly
until it releases. - Swab the area with alcohol or soap and water.
- Save the tick for identification, if needed.
- Wash the area with soap and water, and then apply 1% hydrocortisone in case a reaction occurs.
When to Seek Medical Care
Some insect (arthropod) bites/stings are more dangerous than others. If you suspect your child might have a black widow or brown recluse spider bite, apply ice to the area and seek medical assistance immediately.
Symptoms of these bites include:
- A deep blue or purple area around the bite, often with a surrounding white
area and a red outer ring - Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Muscle stiffness
If the area of a tick bite becomes red or swollen, or if the affected area spreads outward, seek medical help to check for Lyme disease.
When dealing with stings, watch out for symptoms such as:
- Hives, itching, or swelling in areas beyond the sting site
- Swelling of the lips or throat
- Tightness in the chest or difficulty breathing
- Hoarse voice or tongue swelling
- Dizziness or loss of consciousness
Signs and Symptoms
