Insect Bites and Stings

Any bite or sting of an insect can trigger a local irritation. The site of a sting may be painful, swollen, red, sore, and itchy for a day or two. Flea and mosquito bites develop into itchy red bumps, while a tick leaves a swollen, red, beadlike lump on skin. Ticks can spread disease so they must be removed quickly and carefully. Although most bites and stings are quite harmless, but some may create a severe allergic reactions, or may create sting-bite nephritis, and breathlessness, and a person can choke which needs emergency treatment.

Home Remedies

• To treat a sting, remove the stinger, then wash the area with soap and
     water and cool the area by applying ice pack or keep a cool, wet cloth on  
     the bite or sting.

• If there is a tick, remove it with tweezers.
• Soak a washcloth in cool water and then lay it on the site of the sting to ease
     soreness and itching.
• Try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. This reduces
     the swelling and irritation.

• Take 2-3 teaspoons of cilantro juice as soon as possible and apply the pulp
     locally on the affected area. To make juice, blend a handful of cilantro
     leaves with 1/3 cup water and strain it.
• Apply a paste of baking soda and water to the site of the sting.

• Apply neem oil diluted in sesame oil or neem paste at the site of bite for 
     15 to 20 minutes, then rinse it off. To make a paste, take a little neem
     powder and mix it with little water.

• Apply a paste of 1/2 teaspoon sandalwood and 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric
     powder to the site of bite for soothing and healing.

Do’s

• If the stung is on arm or leg, lower the limb at the time of the sting to
     slow the spread of venom. Hours later, if swelling is present, elevate the
     limb to help reduce swelling.

• Elevate the area of the bite or sting to decrease swelling.
• Be calm and quiet. Movement increases the spread of venom in the
     bloodstream.

 Don’ts

• Don’t scratch a bite or sting as it will increase the risk of infection.
• Avoid squeezing around the fuzzy part of the stinger.

• Do not break any blisters if develop.

 See Doctor                                    

• Redness and swelling increases.

• Having red streaks or the bite is oozing.

See doctor immediately if:

• Signs of anaphylactic shock.

• Suspect sting is inside the mouth or throat.