Overview
Most bites and stings from insects (arthropods) are painful or itchy but harmless. Usually, the person who has suffered the bite or sting develops some pain, redness, or itchiness at the site that goes away within hours to days. People with more sensitive skin will often have a more dramatic reaction (eg, more redness or a bigger bump), but the bite is still usually harmless. Where the bite occurs on the body can help determine what kind of insect was involved; flying insects tend to bite the head and torso, while jumping insects, such as fleas, tend to bite the feet and legs. A very small portion of the population is allergic to the bite or sting of some common insects, such as wasps and bees, and the allergic person will experience a severe reaction, including hives (raised welts) all over their body, itchiness, trouble breathing and swallowing, and unconsciousness. An allergic reaction to a bite or sting may be fatal. Anyone who suspects this sort of allergy should discuss it with their doctor; they may need to carry a special sort of medicine that can be injected in case of emergency to reverse the allergic reaction.
