If you've ever played outside, chances are you've been
bugged by insects or other crawly creatures. Maybe unwelcome ants
joined you at a picnic in the park or a bee buzzed around your head
while you were playing catch. None of this may have bothered you -
unless you were bitten or stung. Ouch! It's enough to make you
stay indoors. But the outdoors can still be a great place to play
if you know a little bit more about insects.
Why Do Bugs Bite or Sting?
Insects and other creatures like
bees
, wasps, spiders,
scorpions
, and hornets usually attack when they feel like they're in
danger. Sometimes they are protecting their territory, web, or
nest. Other insects such as mosquitoes and ticks suck blood in
order to survive. The female
mosquito
needs blood so that she can lay her eggs. (The male mosquito does
not bite at all!)
Ticks are parasites, which means they live on other animals and
need to suck blood to live.
What Are Bug Bites and Stings?
Insects and other bugs can inject venom (say:
veh
-num) into your skin when they bite or sting you. Usually, venom is
like soap in your eyes - it doesn't really hurt you, but
it's not very comfortable. It will make a small, itchy bump no
bigger than a pea form on your skin. When you scratch, your skin
becomes red and more itchy. A
tick
bite can cause a red rash that looks a little like a bull's-eye
(this may take as long as a week). In the case of bee stings, the
area becomes swollen and a stinger might be left in the
skin.
Does It Hurt?
In most cases bug bites are not serious and only hurt for a
little while. The itching is the most irritating part of most bites
and stings. Some bites or stings, such as a bite from a scorpion or
a
black widow spider
, may require a trip to the
emergency department
. But this doesn't happen very often. An adult will know
whether this trip is necessary.
What Should You Do?
If anything bites or stings you, make sure you let an adult
know. He or she will look at the bite or sting to see what needs to
be done.
If a mosquito bites you, try not to scratch. It's hard
sometimes, but scratching will make the itch worse and can cause
the bite to swell, bleed, or get infected.
If you are stung by a bee, an adult can help you get the stinger
out quickly. Have an adult wash the area with soap and water, and
apply ice to the sting on and off for the first 24 hours. An
antihistamine, which is a type of medicine, can help stop the
itching, pain, and swelling. Acetaminophen can also help stop the
sting from hurting. Hydrocortisone creams and calamine lotions can
be helpful to take away the itch. An adult will decide what
medicine is best for you.
If you find a tick on you, don't try to remove it yourself.
Get an adult to help you. He or she will grab the tick with
tweezers as close to your skin as possible and pull it off in one
smooth motion. Once the tick is removed, put it in a jar of alcohol
to kill it. Don't try to crush it in your hands. Your doctor
may want to see this tick later.
When to Get Help
Some people have an
allergic
(say: uh-
ler
-jik) reaction to the venom that certain insects, such as bees,
inject. If you have trouble breathing, break out in hives (hives
are red bumps that show up on your skin), or feel like you are
going to throw up after a bee or wasp has stung you, you could be
having an allergic reaction. Tell an adult
right away
so that you can go the emergency department.
Once you know you are allergic to bee stings, your doctor will
provide you with a special kit. The kit is called an epinephrine
kit and will contain a shot of
epinephrine
(say: eh-pih-
neh
-frin). You will need this shot if a bee stings you. You should
keep this kit with you at all times, especially when you are
outside. Make sure an adult is close by to give you the shot if you
need it.
Stopping the Stinging
You can keep from getting stung by staying away from bee or wasp
nests. Keep sweet-smelling food or drink covered when you are
eating outdoors. And don't swat at flying insects - it just
makes them angry, causing them to bite or sting.
If you go hiking, wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants tucked
into your socks and shoes to avoid ticks. And always have an adult
check you for ticks if you've been playing in the woods.
The best way to avoid being bitten by spiders or scorpions is to
avoid places where they like to make their homes, like
woodpiles.
Playing outside is a lot of fun - bugs or no bugs. With a little
bit of care, you can have fun even when the insects come marching
in!
Reviewed:
Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date reviewed: September 2007
Originally reviewed by:
Ellen Kempf, MD
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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