Q&A: Insect Bites and Stings

Q: My kids spent a lot of time outdoors and I'm concerned about bug bites. What are the dangers and what can I do to protect my kids?

A: Insects are unavoidable in outdoor life. While most bug bites cause minor skin irritation, some can be very serious. Prevention and knowing when to call for help are the best defenses against the most serious of insect bites.

Insect bites cause symptoms by injecting something into the skin. These substances cause a reaction in the skin – usually localized swelling and/or itching. The itching and swelling in local reactions can be minimized by using calamine lotion or 1% hydrocortisone cream. Ice also helps. If you see a stinger, try and remove it.

Some insects inject a venom which can cause allergic reaction. These range in severity from hives and itching to trouble breathing, drooling, vomiting, fainting, rapid heart rate, lip and eye swelling. Using an oral antihistamine such as benadryl will help abate the response but the more serious symptoms require prompt emergency care and can be life-threatening. For children with a known allergy to insect bites, use your epipen if you have been given one even if you are en route to a hospital or awaiting an ambulance.

Some bites result in infection – either as a result of the bite or due to transmission of an infectious agent from the insect to a person. Localized, bacterial infections cause swelling, redness, warmth, pain and often fever and pus. If any of these symptoms occur, call your pediatrician and have your child evaluated. Usually after a few simple tests, an oral antibiotic will be given but some children do require hospitalization.

Remember ticks can transmit lyme disease and mosquitos can carry forms of encephalitis and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever. Call your doctor if your child becomes ill with fever, rash, headache, eye sensitivity to light, joint pain or swelling, or if your child looks sick and is not acting right in the setting of a known insect bite.

As for prevention, try and avoid areas known to have bee/hornet/wasp/yellow-jacket nests and high infestations of mosquitos. Avoid dressing your child in bright colors as insects are more attracted to bright colors. And, avoid sweet smelling soaps and lotions – you don’t want your child mistaken for a flower by a well intended bee or mosquito.

Finally, don’t be afraid to use a insect repellents with DEET. If used properly, these products are not only safe but will keep illness-causing insects away. For children, use products with 10% DEET to avoid serious reactions from skin absorption. Also, be sure the product is registered with the EPA.

© 2005-2006 Pediatrics Now.
All rights reserved. PEDIATRICS NOW is a trademark of Pediatrics Now.

[back to Metrowest Daily News and Parents & Kids archive]