How to treat bites and stings at home

Bites and stings are commonplace injuries around the home. Most bites or stings are harmless and cause minor discomfort that can be treated at home. More serious bites or stings, that cause an allergic reaction or infection, can require medical attention.

The most common sources of stings and bites come from:

• Mosquitos
• Fire ants
• Bees and wasps
• Ticks
• Fleas
• Bed bugs
• Scorpions
• Chiggers
• Spiders - brown recluse and black widow spiders

How do I treat bites and stings?

To work out what treatment is needed it helps to know what has caused the bite or sting, but this won’t always be possible.

If you’re not sure what you’re dealing with try and take a picture or capture the bug if it is safe to do so, so that you can work out what the culprit is. Remember to seek medical help right away if you are concerned about an allergic reaction or signs of infection following a bite or sting.

Continue reading to find out more about what the bites or stings of certain pests look like and how to manage these.

Mosquitos

Mosquitos are a small flying insect that injects saliva into the skin and causes an itch. They are generally found around water sources such as ponds, pools and birdbaths, and they are attracted to bright colors and sweat. Female mosquitos are the ones that bite people to feed on their blood, because they use the blood to help produce their eggs. They are most active in the evening and at night, especially in warmer weather.

Treatment

• Apply a cold compress to cool the bite site, reduce any swelling and relieve the itch
• Wash the site with soap and warm water
• To relieve the itch try the following:
  • An over-the-counter (OTC) anti-itch or antihistamine cream
  • A baking soda paste - mix one tablespoon of baking soda with a small amount of water to make a paste. Apply the paste to the bite site, leave for 10 minutes and then wash off
  • If required, take an oral antihistamine such as loratadine (Claritan).
• Do not scratch the bite because this can cause it to become infected

Fire ants

Fire ants are insects that are red and brown in color. They are found in warm areas in green spaces such as pastures, lawns, and parks. Fire ants live in colonies in mounds (nests) and will attack if disturbed. A fire ant attaches to a person by biting them with its jaws and then stings - injects venom - from its abdomen in a circular pattern.

Treatment

• Rub off ants immediately
• Clean the site of any bites or stings with water and mild soap
• Apply a cold compress
• Take an oral antihistamine tablet
• An anti-inflammatory such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil) may help with the pain
• Do not scratch the bite or sting because this can cause it to become infected
• Seek medical help immediately if severe symptoms develop

Bees and wasps

Bees and wasps are winged, flying insects that are often yellow and black. They live in hives or nests and are found near shrubs and flowers, and are common near picnic areas and beaches. They like perfumes and bright- and dark-colored clothing. Bees will only sting if provoked, such as when they are stood on or picked up, or a nest is disturbed.

Bees will sting once, injecting venom into the skin and leaving their stinger behind. They die shortly afterward.

Wasps can sting repeatedly. They also inject venom into the skin, but they do not leave their stinger behind.

Treatment

• If you've been stung by a bee, remove the stinger straight away by scraping your nail over the site or wipe something stiff such as a blunt knife or credit card. Do not use tweezers or squeeze the skin because a venom sac will be attached to the stinger
• Wash the area with soap and cold water two to three times a day until the skin has healed
• Apply a cold compress for 15-20 minutes to help reduce swelling and pain.
• If you've been stung by a wasp, it is recommended that you get a tetanus shot within a few days of being stung, especially if you haven't had a booster within the last 10 years
• OTC creams, oral antihistamines such as loratadine (Claritan), and pain killers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen (Advil) can be used to help with pain and inflammation
• Do not scratch the sting site because this can cause it to become infected
• Seek immediate medial help if you are stung in the mouth because of the risk of severe swelling, which may block airways
• Carry an emergency epinephrine kit, such as an EpiPen, if you are have a severe allergic to bee or wasp stings and seek medical help if required

Ticks

Ticks are small crawling creatures that inject saliva into the skin and cause pain. Ticks are not insects, but arachnids like spiders, scorpions and mites. Ticks are commonly found in wooded areas, plants and brush. They tend to burrow and bite in warm areas of the body, such as the folds of the skin, groin and scalp. They can also live on animals. Check yourself, children and pets for ticks after being in a wooded area. Ticks can spread diseases such as Lyme disease, but removing ticks within 24-48 hours makes the spread of disease less likely.

Treatment

• Ticks can fall off completely or may need to be removed
• Use tweezers to grasp the tick and pull it upwards firmly till it releases from the skin. Do not jerk or twist the tick. Place it in a zip-locked bag for identification later, if required
• Clean the site with alcohol
• Dispose of the tick in alcohol or by flushing it down the toilet
• Do not use petroleum jelly, nail polish remover, a lighter or match to detach a tick. This won't remove the tick and can cause it to burrow deeper and release more saliva, which can increase the chances of it spreading disease

Fleas

Fleas are a small insect that is reddish-brown in color. They can jump long distances. Flea bites tend to be found in the armpits, folds of the skin, or joints of the arm or leg. Fleas live in shady and humid places such as tall grass, sheds and sand, and can be found in carpets and rugs too. Animals can also be bitten by fleas and can pass them onto people.

Treatment

• Bites are usually harmless and can be easily treated with and OTC hydrocortisone cream or oral antihistamine such as loratadine (Claritan)
• Clean all bed linen, curtains and fabric furniture
• Vacuum carpets and rugs daily
• Use an approved fumigation spray that is non-toxic to pets and small children
• Book in a pest control professional if the infestation does not go away
• Do not scratch the sting site because this can cause it to become infected

Bed bugs

A bed bug is a reddish-colored bug that measures less than a millimeter in length and is shaped like an apple seed. One bug can bite multiple times. Usually the bite marks appear in a line. When bed bugs bite they inject saliva into the skin which has anesthetic properties and encourages blood flow. They are found in bedding, fabric furniture and in cracks in the walls or floors. They can be transferred around the place on luggage, boxes and pets. Bed bugs are generally active at night and in warm weather.

Treatment

• The itch can be relieved with an OTC hydrocortisone cream or oral antihistamine such as loratadine (Claritan)
• If you have an allergic reaction seek medical help

Scorpions

Scorpions are arachnids that look like small lobsters. They have pincers at the front of their body and a curled-up tail. If disturbed, a scorpion will use its pincers to grasp the skin of its victim and then it stings with its tail. Scorpions live in dry, desert areas and are found under objects such as rocks and wood. They also burrow into sand or soil . Some species can be found in forests, caves, and grasslands. Scorpions are usually active at night.

It can be difficult to tell a dangerous scorpion, such as a bark scorpion which can cause life-threatening symptoms, from a harmless one. Capture the scorpion if it's safe to do so so that it can be identified.

Treatment

• Wash the site of the sting with soap and water
• Apply a cold compress
• Seek medical help immediately

Chiggers

Chiggers are arachnids, just like spiders, ticks and mites. They are red in color and tiny - you may need a magnifying glass to see them. Chigger bites typically appear in the folds of the skin or where clothing fits tightly. Chiggers bite and inject saliva to liquefy and eat the skin and can feed for several days before detaching. They are found in wooded areas, tall grass, weeds, and brush.

Treatment

• Wash the bite area with soap and water
• Apply an antiseptic cream
• Use an OTC hydrocortisone or antihistamine cream to help the itch
• Take an oral antihistamine if required
• Apply a cold compress
• Do not scratch the bite because this can cause it to become infected

Brown recluse spider

Brown recluse spiders (also called a violin or fiddleback spider) are tiny oval spiders that are usually about half an inch long (including their legs). They are dark-brown to light-tan in color with a violin-shaped mark on their back. They hide in dark corners, attics and closets, and under rocks, leaves and woodpiles. Their bite releases venom into the skin.

Treatment

• Wash the bite area with soap and water two to three times a day until the skin has healed
• Apply a cold compress
• Seek medical help immediately

Black widow spider

The black widow spider is a shiny black spider with an orange-red hourglass shape on its underbelly. They are generally half-to-one inch in length, with a large round tail segment. Only the female is dangerous to people. They are found in woodpiles, tree stumps, trash, and sheds.

Treatment

• Wash the bite area with soap and water two to three times a day until the skin has healed
• Apply a cold compress
• Seek medical help immediately

Preventing bites and stings

• Vacuum carpets and rugs and clean any fabric furniture and bedding regularly to keep fleas, bed bugs, and spiders away.
• Use insect repellent to deter mosquitoes. Use a mosquito candle or mosquito lamp when camping or dining outdoors.
• Keep covered when in wooded areas with high grass. Tuck in clothes - tuck pants into socks and tops into pants. Keep shoes on.
• Be careful when picking up rocks, piles of wood, trash, or sorting out clutter so as not to disturb spiders or scorpions.
• Wear gloves when gardening or working outdoors.
• Don’t disturb bee or wasp nests or attempt to move them. Seek help from a professional.
• Check for ticks on yourself, kids, and pets if you have been out hiking or walking in wooded areas. If you have been walking in a high-risk area then shower when you return home and wash clothing.
• De-flea your pets regularly. Flea treatments can be purchased from pet stores and vets.
• Carry an emergency epinephrine kit, such as an EpiPen, if you are have a severe allergic reaction to bites and stings.

Consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about a bite or sting and always remember to follow the directions on the label of any OTC or prescription products you use to treat your bites and stings.