Skinby Skin libraryRashes and redness

Insect bites and stings

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In short

Insect bites sometimes cause discomfort.

What it is1

The main symptoms of an insect bite or sting are: pain where you were bitten or stung; a small, swollen lump on the skin.
NHS website
Mosquito bites are usually small, raised and itchy.
NHS website
The area may become more swollen and painful if the bite or sting gets infected.
NHS website

Brush or scrape the stinger sideways with your fingernail or the edge of a bank card.
NHS website
If there's nothing in your skin, or you've removed it, wash your skin with soap and water to help lower the chance of infection.
NHS website
Put an ice pack wrapped in a cloth, or a clean cloth soaked in cold water, on a swollen bite or sting for at least 20 minutes.
NHS website
Antihistamines can relieve itching, and a hydrocortisone cream can reduce itching and swelling.
NHS website

Do not use tweezers to pull out a stinger as you could squeeze poison out of it.
NHS website
Do not scratch a bite or sting, as it could get infected.
NHS website

Call 911 if your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen; you are breathing very fast or struggling to breathe; your throat feels tight or you are struggling to swallow; your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale; you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy; or someone faints and cannot be woken up. These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
NHS website

See a pharmacist or health care provider if the skin around a bite or sting feels hot or looks red, it is painful or swollen, or pus or fluid is coming out of it.
NHS website

These pages describe what the sources say. They cannot say what is going on with your skin.

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