Treating Bug Bites and Stings in Children | Covenant Allergy and Asthma

As school lets out, the weather heats up and the days get longer, the entire family will certainly be spending more time outdoors. Though the opportunity to get out and enjoy the summer is an exciting time for children, it also brings risks such as bug bites to the forefront of many parents’ minds.

While preventing bites and stings is the first line of defense, not every occurrence can be protected against. If your child has suffered from a sting or bug bite, it’s important that you know the guidelines for home treatment, as well as when to seek professional help.

Treating Stings and Bites

The treatments for stings and bites are quite similar, but there are different considerations to be taken for each. While a sting is typically identified by pain, redness and swelling, a bite is identified by itching around a raised bump on the skin.

Stings:

• If a stinger remains, gently scrape it off with a blunt-edged object like a credit card.
• Wash wound with soap and water.
• Apply an ice pack or cold water to alleviate discomfort.
• Give children’s pain reliever as needed.

Bites:

• Clean wound using soap and water.
• Alleviate discomfort by applying an ice pack or cold water.
• Apply hydrocortisone cream to reduce itching.
• Give children’s antihistamine as needed.

Know When to Seek Medical Care

While most bites and stings won’t require a visit to the doctor, if an allergic reaction is left untreated, it could turn serious. Here is how you know when to seek medical care for your child:

• Hives, itching or swelling in places other than the affected areas
• Swelling in the lips, throat or mouth
• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing or tightness in the chest
• Trouble speaking or communicating
• Dizziness, faintness or loss of consciousness

At Covenant Allergy and Asthma, we want your children to have plenty of summer fun! If you’re worried about summer allergies or stings, schedule your child for an allergy test today.