Should I Visit the Doctor After I’m Bitten or Stung?
As we venture back outdoors and indulge in hikes, sports, and other summer activities, there is an increased potential for bug bites — some of which can cause a serious reaction.
If you’re stung or bitten this season, keep reading to learn when to seek treatment from our team at Better Faster Urgent Care:
Common Summer Bug Bites & Stings to Look Out For
Some of the most typical bug bites and stings common in the summertime here in Texas include:
- Bees.
- Wasps.
- Mosquitoes.
- Spiders.
- Ticks.
- Fire ants.
Why Do Insects Bite?
Did you know that only female mosquitoes bite? Female mosquitoes and other bugs need the proteins that are only found in human and animal blood in order to nourish and lay their eggs.
When are Bug Bites Dangerous?
When a bug stings or bites you, its venom enters your body, causing your immune system to respond. Typically, the least-serious symptoms of a bite include swelling, redness, and itchy skin around the affected area.
However while mosquitos may just seem annoying, they can also transmit diseases to people and pose a risk to our health. Spiders, ticks, and other bug bites can also transmit diseases and can even cause an allergic reaction for some people. Certain species of spiders (including black widows or brown recluses) can also be extremely poisonous to humans. E
Even if your symptoms seem minor, you should always seek emergency medical treatment for these types of bites. Here’s how to deal with the symptoms of your bite:
Redness or Swelling
If you notice a rash or have pain in your muscles near the affected area, or you experience flu-like symptoms days after you’ve been bitten, you should see your doctor immediately.
Your doctor can test you for infections or diseases that you could have possibly contracted from the insect that bit you, including:
- Malaria.
- Yellow fever.
- Zika.
- Dengue.
- Chikungunya.
- Lyme disease.
- West Nile virus.
Itchiness
We know it’s tough to resist the urge to scratch, but it’s best to leave it alone. When you scratch a bug bite, you make the area more inflamed and therefore itchier. If your bites are bothering you, consider placing a piece of ice or a drop of honey on them.
Length of Irritation
It’s perfectly natural for bug bites to itch, but they shouldn’t last for weeks. Likewise, if your bite becomes bright red, bubbles starts looking like a rash, or causes tingling inside of your mouth, it’s time to see a doctor.
You may be experiencing an allergic reaction or maybe experiencing other symptoms. If your allergy is severe, you may even have trouble swallowing, feel faint, or become hoarse.
Emergency Symptoms
While a rash may take some time to form, other severe reactions tend to show up in a matter of minutes after you’ve sustained a bite or sting:
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Nausea.
- Diarrhea, or vomiting.
- Blisters.
- Dizziness.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Muscle spasms.
- Increased or irregular heartbeat.
If you experience any of these symptoms following a bug bite, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible for treatment.
Southlake Bug Bite Treatment
If you’ve been bitten by a bug and feel it’s time to go to the doctor, be sure to inform your doctor of your symptoms and what type of bug you believe bit you.
For more information or to book an appointment, visit us online today.
