Treating Bug Bites at Urgent Care: What to Expect

Do you have bug bites? It’s just a mosquito bite, or maybe they are more than just a few bites. Bug bites are pretty common during the summer months and are very irritating.

It can be difficult to be calm when you’re frantically itching or feeling anxious about an unknown bug bite. But do not worry; you have options for treatment. Regardless of what types of microbes infected your skin, these options for treatment will help your bug bites get better faster.

Bug Bites: What Are They?

When a bug bites you, it’s called a “bug bite.” Sometimes they’ll leave marks on your skin that look like tiny red dots or bumps (like mosquito bites). Other times they leave no impact at all (like flea bites).

Most bug bites aren’t severe — some people may get minor rashes or itchiness from them. Still, it’s not something to worry about unless you have an allergic reaction to something in the insect’s saliva or body fluids that cause anaphylactic shock (which can be fatal).

Some insects, such as bees and wasps, can sting multiple times without stopping because they have barbs on their stinger that hold it in place, so they don’t lose it when they fly off after stinging you once!

Can Bug Bites Be Painful?

Yes, Bug bites can be painful, especially if they get infected. When a person gets bitten, their skin reacts to the foreign substance by producing inflammation and swelling. This reaction can make it hard for the person to move around normally.

Even worse, it can mean that the area becomes more susceptible to infection from bacteria or viruses in the environment.

In some cases, getting bitten by an insect can cause an allergic reaction in a person’s body. This means that every time they get bitten again by that same type of insect, they will have an even stronger response each time it happens again.

A person’s immune system will remember what happened last time and try to fight off any foreign substances before they enter their body again so that they don’t have another allergic reaction later on down the road when something happens in the future with those same bugs.

Types of Bug Bites

1. Spider Bites

The most common kind of spider bite is from a brown recluse spider. The bite leaves a dark red mark that looks like a bruise. You may also have pain, swelling, or itching around the wound.

In most cases, the bite will heal without any treatment, but in rare cases, it can lead to severe problems like kidney failure or skin necrosis (death). See your doctor immediately if you think a brown recluse spider has bitten you.

2. Bee and Wasp Stings

Bees and yellow jackets all have stingers that deliver venom when they sting you. Their stings can cause pain and swelling for several hours after being stung. Some people will develop an allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis that requires immediate medical attention — call 911 if this happens to you!

3. Bed Bug Bites

These are usually found in groups on the skin, often on exposed areas such as the arms and legs. The bites themselves can appear as tiny red welts or bumps. These bugs are attracted to carbon dioxide, which is produced by breathing. They are especially attracted to people who sleep in infested beds or couches.

4. Mosquito Bites

Mosquito bites are commonly found on ankles and lower legs but can appear anywhere on the body. The bites often occur at night when mosquitoes are most active, but they can also happen during the day. Mosquito bites can range from very small to large bumps that itch intensely for several days or even weeks after the initial bite occurs.

5. Flea Bites

Fleas are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of mammals. Most fleas are parasites of rodents, birds, and domestic pets. A flea bite can cause itching and irritation, but it’s generally not a severe health problem.

6. Tick Bites

Ticks are arachnids (a group of eight-legged invertebrates) in the subclass Acari. Like mites, ticks are related to spiders, but they have only two body parts — one for feeding and one for breathing — unlike spiders, which have three body parts.

Ticks do not have lungs or other organs for breathing; instead, they breathe through external openings called spiracles located on the sides of their bodies near the front legs.

Ticks live in grassy areas with plenty of food, such as rodents or deer. They attach themselves to animals by crawling onto them and sucking blood until they become engorged with blood and then drop off to lay eggs or mate before dying.

Identify What Bit You

There are many different kinds of bugs out there, and each one has its unique way of biting. Knowing which type of bug bit you will help your doctor determine which treatment is best for you.

An excellent way to tell if it was a mosquito, spider, or other bug is by looking at the bite. Mosquito bites are small, red bumps that itch like crazy and swell up quickly. Mosquito bites will also be found in groups on different parts of your body (think ankles, wrists).

Spider bites look similar to mosquito bites but tend to be more painful than itchy and are often found in clusters on one area (i.e., ankle). Other types of bugs have different patterns: fleas leave little balls of blood around their mouths, ticks have tiny holes where they’ve attached themselves to your skin, etc.

Symptoms of Bug Bites

In most cases, the symptoms of bug bites include:
Itching and redness at the site of the bite.
Pain around the area where the bite occurred.
A rash or blisters at or near the site of the bite.
Bites from some kinds of bees, wasps, and fire ants may cause swelling at or near the sting site.
Bug bites are annoying, but they’re usually not serious. However, if you have many bites or if the bites cause other symptoms, you should see a doctor.
Symptoms of Bug Bites
Insect bites can also cause a stinging or burning sensation at the site of the bite.
This is often caused by an allergic reaction to the venom in the insect’s saliva. A person with this type of reaction may have:
A swollen lymph node near where they were bitten
A larger-than-normal red area around the bite that looks like an expanding bullseye patter
Bites from bedbugs can sometimes be confused with pimples or boil that form near where you sleep. However, bedbug bites usually appear in groups and are not painful at first — although they can become itchy later.

Treating Bug Bites at Urgent Care

If you’re stung by a bee, wasp, or another insect, it’s essential to remove the stinger as quickly as possible. If it stays in your skin too long, it can release more venom into your body, leading to severe reactions, including anaphylaxis.

Once the stinger has been removed, wash the area with soap and water and apply an antiseptic ointment or cream to prevent infection. Do not use ice packs or cold compresses because this will only worsen by increasing blood flow to the area around the sting, which could cause swelling and pain that won’t go away on its own without medical attention.

Managing Itchy Rashes At Home

1. Antibiotic Creams

When it comes to mosquito bites, the best thing you can do is prevent them from happening in the first place by wearing long sleeves and pants in mosquito-infested areas and using insect repellant when necessary.

This medication is designed specifically for use on insect bites and stings. It works by helping your skin fight off the infection that might occur due to being bitten or stung by an insect. It will also reduce pain and swelling associated with insect bites and stings.

2. Pain Relievers

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help with the pain and swelling from bug bites. These medications work best if taken as soon as possible after the bite occurs.

3. Antihistamines

Take an oral antihistamine medication if you’re allergic to bee stings or insect bites — especially if you’ve had an allergy test and know you’re allergic.

Antihistamines can help prevent more severe reactions such as anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction that includes difficulty breathing, and throat, hives, and fainting).

Visit iCare Urgent Care in Argyle

At iCare Urgent Care we are prepared to treat many common non-emergency bug bite. Additionally in the rare occasion of a bug bite emergency we are able to quickly transition emergency care patients to our connected Wise Health Emergency center.