How to Treat Bug Bites

Even though bug bites are rarely fatal, they can cause severe discomfort and pain. In some cases, the bites may become infected and require a lot of care. Here are some tips on how to treat bug bites to prevent infection.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ice pack
• Antibiotic cream
• Sting swabs
• Vinegar

1. Remember it is easier to avoid a bite than to treat it. Avoid dark places since spiders tend to hang out in them. Also, to prevent mosquito and gnats from bothering you when you are outside use a Bounty dryer sheet tied to your belt loop. You may also want to apply insect repellant.

2. If you are bitten, wash the area with a mild soap such as ivory and dry completely by patting with a clean towel.

3. Apply an ice pack for the swelling and redness. This helps prevent blood from flowing into the area and the venom spreading.

4. For itching, you can apply white vinegar. This is also a disinfectant that can help prevent infection.

5. Apply a triple antibiotic cream or ointment to the bit. This can help prevent spreading and the area becoming infected.

6. Use ibuprofen for pain and swelling if it occurs.

Tips & Warnings

• Treat the area as soon as you realize you are bitten.
• See a physician immediately if you feel the area is hot to the touch and may be a spider bite.
• If the bite does not get well within a few days, seek medical care.

[ladybella]

on 7/31/2009 Great article!

[moknows]

on 7/31/2009 I never knew about the Bounty and vinegar trick. Thanks! Bugs don't bite me, but my husband and child are a different story!

[grapegumdrop]

on 7/30/2009 I get bit really bad on the 4th, and have scars, thanks I will bookmark this!

[djackman]

on 7/24/2009 really good tips for bug bites , bad time of year for these good timing 5* recommended

[kjshannon]

on 7/15/2009 thanks. my kid is alergic to insect bites. we need all the advice we can grab