Shield Yourself from Bites & Stings
As summer turns to fall, the threat of bug bites and stings still lingers. Most bites and stings don’t cause any serious issues and can be treated at home. However, there are times when a bite or sting may need medical attention to avoid discomfort, infection or other health issues.
How can you tell if a bug bite is serious? Start by identifying the bug. Knowing what type of bug bit/stung you allows you to keep an eye out for symptoms, especially if you have an allergy to certain insects.
After being bit or stung, make sure to take the steps to avoid it happening again. Start using bug spray, cover your skin or avoid the area where you were bit.
Common pests that bite and sting in Michigan include mosquitos, fleas, spiders, ticks, bees, wasps and hornets.
Flea Bites
Fleas usually bite multiple times. Bites appear as small, red bumps that may be slightly swollen and itchy. They are usually found on pets that spend time outdoors. Because fleas jump, humans can end up with flea bites after coming in contact with a pet that has fleas. Fleas can also attach themselves to your clothes while outside, then make their way into your home.
Flea bites usually cause mild irritation for a short period. However, they can spread serious diseases and infest your home.
Avoid bites by treating your pets for fleas. If you find fleas in your house or on your pet, it’s important to vacuum all carpets, rugs, and upholstery thoroughly to remove flea eggs and larvae. Wash all bedding, blankets, and other fabric items that your pet comes into contact with, in hot water.
Even if you don’t have pets, it’s important to keep your living area clean and avoid contact with wild animals.
Mosquito Bites
Typically, mosquito bites appear as raised red bumps on the skin, sometimes with a small area of redness around the bump. They can be itchy and painful, and in some cases can lead to an allergic reaction.
Michigan is home to more than 50 species of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes in Michigan can spread diseases such as West Nile virus, Zika, La Crosse encephalitis and Eastern equine encephalitis.
Mosquitoes are most active during the warm summer months (May-October). To avoid being bit by mosquitoes, wear insect repellent and stay inside around dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. Also, avoid walking through tall grass or areas with stagnant water. These are both common habitats for mosquitoes.
Spider Bites
Although most spiders in Michigan are not dangerous, there are some species of venomous spiders to look out for. The most venomous spider in Michigan is the Black Widow, which has a black body with a red hourglass shape on the underside of its abdomen. It’s typically found in dark, dry, sheltered areas such as basements, garages and woodpiles.
Other venomous spiders in Michigan include the Northern Brown Recluse and the Yellow Sac spider. Avoid bites by wearing long pants and closed-toe shoes when outdoors and checking for spiders before putting on clothing or shoes that have been sitting outside.
Bee, Hornet and Wasp Stings
A bee sting will first appear as a small red bump on the skin. Over time, it may become more red, swollen painful and itchy. Bee stings are usually smaller than wasp or hornet stings. Sometimes bees leave their stinger behind.
To help avoid bee stings, avoid flowers and other areas where bees may be present. If a bee sting does occur, don’t scratch it. This can cause infection.
Hornet and wasp stings tend to cause more pain than bee stings. Avoid hornets and wasps whenever possible and wear protective clothing such as long pants and sleeves if venturing into areas where they might be present. If stung, get medical attention if you notice a severe reaction, such as difficulty breathing or hives.
Tick Bites
Tick bites can be dangerous and can spread serious diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis.
One way to avoid ticks is by using a tick-repellent bug spray. After being outside, be sure to check your skin for ticks. If you find a tick on your body, you must remove it right away to help avoid the spread of disease. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin, then gently pull upward to remove the tick. After removing the tick, clean the area with alcohol or soap and water. Get medical attention if you experience any symptoms such as a rash or fever.
How to Treat Common Bug Bites at Home
Fortunately, there are several home remedies that can provide relief from bug bites. An ice pack can do wonders to reduce redness and swelling. Place the bag over the bug bite for about 10 minutes before removing it for five minutes and repeating.
Some other at-home ways to treat bug bites are:
- Clean the bite/sting with alcohol or soap and water. Continue to keep the affected area clean and dry.
- Apply an anti-itch cream or calamine lotion to the bite area.
- Take an over-the-counter antihistamine such as diphenhydramine, to reduce itching and swelling.
- If the bite is painful, take a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Apply a topical antibiotic cream to prevent infection.
All of these items can be found over the counter at your local pharmacy or grocery store.
When is a Bug Bite Serious?
Knowing when a bug bite needs medical attention is essential to keeping yourself safe and healthy. Some symptoms to look out for include:
- Severe pain, itching or swelling at the site of the bite
- Redness, warmth and tenderness around the bite
- A large area (greater than 3 in) of redness around the bite
- Blisters or hives around the bite
- Fever, chills, nausea or vomiting
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Severe headache and/or dizziness
- A bull's-eye-shaped rash
Reduce the Risk of Bug Bites
Enjoying the great outdoors doesn't have to mean dealing with bug bites. The best way to prevent bug bites is to dress properly when outdoors and apply insect repellent to exposed skin that contains DEET or Picaridin. If you are concerned about a bug bite or sting, Bronson is here to help.
