Insect Bites and Stings

Summary

Most insect bites are harmless, though they sometimes cause discomfort. Bee, wasp, and hornet stings and fire ant bites usually hurt. Mosquito and flea bites usually itch. Insects can also spread diseases. In the United States, some mosquitoes spread West Nile virus. Travelers outside the United States may be at risk for malaria and other infections.

To prevent insect bites and their complications:

• Don’t bother insects
• Use insect repellant
• Wear protective clothing
• Be careful when you eat outside because food attracts insects
• If you know you have severe allergic reactions to insect bites and stings (such as anaphylaxis), carry an emergency epinephrine kit

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Patient Handouts

• Anaphylaxis Medical Encyclopedia
• Bee, wasp, hornet, or yellow jacket sting Medical Encyclopedia
• Fire ants Medical Encyclopedia
• Fleas Medical Encyclopedia
• Insect bites and stings Medical Encyclopedia
• Wasp sting Medical Encyclopedia

Related Issues

• Anaphylaxis American Academy of Family Physicians
• Insect Sting Allergy (Bee, Wasp, and Ant Stings) National Jewish Health
• Stinging Insect Allergy American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
• Traveler’s Health: Avoid Bug Bites Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Specifics

• Bee Sting Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Bug Bites and Stings: When to See a Dermatologist American Academy of Dermatology
• Fire Ant Allergy American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
• Mosquito Bites Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Wings and Stings American Academy of Pediatrics

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Block the Buzzing, Bites, and Bumps: Preventing Mosquito-Borne Illnesses National Institutes of Health
• DEET Environmental Protection Agency
• Find the Repellent that is Right for You Environmental Protection Agency
• Help Control Mosquitoes that Spread Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika Viruses Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Prevention of West Nile Virus Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Protect against Mosquito Bites when Traveling Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Protecting Yourself from Stinging Insects National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Repellents: Protection against Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods Environmental Protection Agency

Images

• Bug Bite or Sting VisualDX
• Flea Bite VisualDX

Start Here

• Bug Bites and Stings Nemours Foundation
• Identifying Insect Bites and Stings American Academy of Pediatrics
• Insects and Scorpions Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Teenagers

• Bug Bites and Stings Nemours Foundation

Encyclopedia

• Bug repellent safety Medical Encyclopedia
• Caterpillars Medical Encyclopedia
• Typhus Medical Encyclopedia

Find an Expert

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Flea Infestations National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Insect Bites and Stings National Institutes of Health

Treatments and Therapies

• First Aid: Insect Stings and Bites Nemours Foundation
• Insect Bites and Stings: First Aid Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Children

• Hey! A Bee Stung Me! Nemours Foundation
• Hey! A Fire Ant Stung Me! Nemours Foundation
• Hey! A Flea Bit Me! Nemours Foundation
• Hey! A Gnat Bit Me! Nemours Foundation
• Hey! A Louse Bit Me! Nemours Foundation
• Hey! A Mosquito Bit Me! (For Kids) Nemours Foundation
• Making Sure Kids Are Prepared if They Need Epinephrine Treatments in School Food and Drug Administration

Statistics and Research

• Illnesses on the Rise from Mosquito, Tick, and Flea Bites Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Taking the Bite Out of Vector-Borne Diseases National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Journal Articles

• Insect Bites and Stings

Games

• Stinging Insect Matching Game American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology