Insect Bites and Stings

Also called: Bug bites
Most insect and spider bites are harmless, though they feel unpleasant. Bee, wasp, and hornet stings and fire ant bites usually hurt. Mosquito, flea and mite bites usually itch. Insects can also transmit diseases, such as yellow fever and malaria. These diseases mainly are a risk for travelers outside the United States.
To prevent insect bites and their complications
Don't bother insects
Use insect repellant
Wear protective clothing
Be careful when you eat outside because food attracts insects
If you know you have severe allergic reactions to insect bites, carry an emergency epinephrine kit
Start Here
Beware of Bug Bites and Stings(Food and Drug Administration)
Bug Bites and Stings(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Insect Bites and Stings: First Aid(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Latest News
Bed Bugs Bring No Disease Danger(03/31/2009, HealthDay)
Prevention/Screening
How to Use Insect Repellents Safely(Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide Programs)
Insect Repellent DEET(Environmental Protection Agency)
Stinging Insect Allergy: How to Avoid the Ouch(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
Also available in Spanish
Updated Information Regarding Insect Repellents(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Specific Conditions
Anaphylaxis(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Bedbugs(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Health Hazards of Imported Fire Ant Stings(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
JAMA Patient Page: Bed Bugs(American Medical Association) - Links to PDF
Mosquito Bites(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Spider Bites: First Aid(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Stinging Insect Allergy(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
Also available in Spanish
Related Issues
Can I Get HIV from Mosquitoes?(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Also available in SpanishReturn to top
Pictures & Photographs
Arthropod (Insect) Bite or Sting(Logical Images)
Bedbug Bite(Logical Images)
Fire Ants Photos(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
Life Cycles: Fleas and Ticks(Food and Drug Administration) - Links to PDF
Stinging Insect Matching Game(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) Return to top
Health Check Tools
Spider Bites(DSHI Systems) Return to top
Clinical Trials
ClinicalTrials.gov: Insect Bites and Stings(National Institutes of Health) Return to top
Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Article: JAMA patient page. Bed bugs.
Article: A red ear.
Article: Recurrent, pruritic blisters on lower extremities.
Insect Bites and Stings -- see more articles Return to top
Medical Encyclopedia
Insect Bites and Stings Return to top
Organizations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Also available in Spanish
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Return to top
Children
Arthropod (Insect) Bite or Sting(Logical Images)
Hey! A Bedbug Bit Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Hey! A Bee Stung Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Hey! A Black Widow Spider Bit Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Hey! A Brown Recluse Spider Bit Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Hey! A Chigger Bit Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Hey! A Fire Ant Stung Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Hey! A Flea Bit Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Hey! A Gnat Bit Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Hey! A Louse Bit Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Hey! A Mosquito Bit Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Hey! A Scorpion Stung Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Hey! A Tarantula Bit Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
What to Do When You're Bugged by Bugs(Nemours Foundation) Return to top
Teenagers
Bug Bites and Stings(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in SpanishReturn to top
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