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 Related Issues Allergies to Insect Venom National Jewish Health Anaphylaxis National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anaphylaxis American Academy of Family Physicians Stinging Insect Allergy American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Traveler’s Health: Avoid Bug Bites Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Array Anaphylaxis Bee poison Fire ants Fleas Insect bites and stings Wasp sting Images Arthropod (Insect) Bite or Sting Logical Images Flea Bite Logical Images Children Arthropod (Insect) Bite or Sting Logical Images 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! Nemours Foundation Insect Repellents: Protect Your Child from Insect Bites American Academy of Pediatrics What to Do When You’re Bugged by Bugs Nemours Foundation Specifics Bee Stings 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 Fire Ant Bites American Osteopathic College of Dermatology Mosquito Bites Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Wings and Stings American Academy of Pediatrics Start Here Beware of Bug Bites and Stings Food and Drug Administration Bug Bites and Stings Nemours Foundation Identifying Insect Bites and Stings American Academy of Pediatrics Insects and Scorpions Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Prevention and Risk Factors Block the Buzzing, Bites, and Bumps: Preventing Mosquito-Borne Illnesses National Institutes of Health DEET Environmental Protection Agency FAQ: Insect Repellent Use and Safety Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Help Control Mosquitoes that Spread Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika Viruses Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Insect Repellents: Reducing Insect Bites Environmental Protection Agency Mosquito Bite Prevention For Travelers Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Protecting Yourself from Stinging Insects National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Teenagers Bug Bites and Stings Nemours Foundation Encyclopedia Bug repellent safety Caterpillars Typhus 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: Insect Bites and Stings National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Insect Repellents 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 Statistics and Research How Mosquitoes Detect People National Institutes of Health 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 Videos and Tutorials Virtual Allergist American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Latest News Zika Threat Calls for Extra Mosquito Protection This Summer HealthDay
