Insect bites and stings can be very annoying, causing discomfort and pain for a certain time. We are usually very exposed to them on a day-to-day basis, whether in our homes or outside of them, and although it is true that they are often not dangerous, we should not rule out that possibility. That is why it is important to learn to recognize what caused the sting and how to act against them. This time, Dr. Paula Otero, internist at Clinica Ricardo Palma, provides us with more information on the subject.

How to identify a bite?

Among the most common insect bites or stings we have the following:

• Spiders: these usually bite only once, leaving a red spot on the skin with two small dots.
• Ants: They usually generate several smaller lesions on the skin and with less pain.
• Bees: cause intense pain at the time the sting occurs. Sometimes, the stinger can be found connected to a sac with poison in the affected area, forming a red welt. People allergic to these stings may have a more severe reaction in which welts form all over their bodies and they may have trouble breathing.
• Fleas or mosquitoes: these usually bite several times, producing multiple small red welts that cause itching.

When should you go to the doctor?

You should go to the emergency room when there are symptoms of allergy to the bite. These might be:

• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of lips, face and/or eyelids
• Palpitations
• Dizziness
• Hives all over the body
• Fainting
• Difficulty swallowing water, among others

On the other hand, if the discomfort does not improve with days and instead worsens, immediate medical attention should be sought; as well as you should go to the specialist, if the area of redness increases in size to more than 5 cm or symptoms such as excessive pain, discharge, general discomfort or fever occur, as they could be signs that the bite could have been infected.

Treatment

If the sting or bite does not require medical treatment according to the complications mentioned above, it can be treated at home, improving its condition in hours or days, washing the affected skin with soap and water and applying compresses with cold water or ice covered with a cloth over the swollen area. Finally, in case of pain, paracetamol can be taken and an antihistamine if there is itching, or if the bite causes an infection in the affected area, antibiotic treatment is likely to be required, as indicated by the specialist.

It is important to know about the different insect bites or stings in order to prevent them, treat them properly and know when it is necessary to receive medical care.

Dr. Paula Otero
Internist at Clinica Ricardo Palma