Insect Bite: What Can You Do Yourself?
An insect bite often causes itching, pain, redness, or a bump. In most cases, it’s harmless and goes away on its own. Here’s what you can do on your own, which over-the-counter remedies can help, and when to contact your doctor or seek emergency care.
Treating an Insect Bite
Cool the area for 10 minutes with a wet cloth or cold pack. Always wrap a cloth around ice. Do not scratch, as this can damage the skin and cause inflammation. Do you see a bee stinger? Remove it as soon as possible, for example with your fingernail, a pair of tweezers, or the edge of a bank card. Is there a tick embedded in the skin? Gently pull it straight out of the skin using pointed tweezers or tick removal forceps, and make a note of the date. Call your doctor the same day if you’re unable to remove the tick, if the tick may have been attached for 24 hours or longer, or if you subsequently develop a spot that’s getting bigger or experience symptoms of illness.
Over-the-counter remedies
For severe itching, you can use levomenthol gel or zinc oxide lotion. Levomenthol has a cooling effect but is not suitable for children under 2 years of age. Zinc oxide protects the skin. If you have severe itching or a large mosquito bite, antihistamines such as cetirizine or loratadine can help. These tablets inhibit an allergic reaction. Ask us which medication is appropriate for your age, health, and other medications you’re taking.
Prescription Medications
In the event of a severe skin reaction, your doctor may sometimes prescribe a corticosteroid cream or ointment, such as hydrocortisone or triamcinolone. This reduces inflammation in the skin. If you have a severe allergy to bee or wasp stings, you may need an epinephrine auto-injector. This is available only by prescription. We’ll explain how to use it.
When should you call?
Call 112 if you experience severe shortness of breath, a swollen tongue or throat, fainting, or other signs of a severe allergic reaction. Call your primary care physician or the after-hours medical service immediately if you have a sting on your tongue or throat, rapidly spreading itching or hives all over your body, severe abdominal cramps, or repeated vomiting. Do you have an epinephrine auto-injector? Use it immediately according to your emergency plan and then call right away. On weekdays, make an appointment if you have a fever, feel sick, experience increasing pain, or notice redness around the bite. Read more about insect bites on Thuisarts.nl and about medications on Apotheek.nl.
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Questions?
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Sources
Netwerkapotheken.nl, Thuisarts.nl, Apotheek.nl, NHG.org