Insect bites and stings can cause a variety of health problems ranging from local skin reactions and mild swelling to gross oral swelling and difficulty swallowing. If you get stung or bitten, you could be injected with various substances (irritants, venoms, poisons, toxins, anesthetics, enzymes, and anticoagulants), transmit diseases, get a secondary infection or even have a rare systemic allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
Stinging insects are more likely to produce severe anaphylactic responses than those from bites. Venom from hornets, wasps and yellow jackets are very similar and so if a patient has a reaction to one of these stings they will more than likely react to the other types as well. Disease transmission from stings is unlikely.
Anaphylaxis is an IgE-mediated hypersensitivity response to the exposure of an antigen in a presensitized individual. Exposure to the antigen leads to rapid mast cell degranulation and release of histamine. This causes capillary leak and edema. Anaphylactic reactions are non-IgE mediated reactions to certain exposures and do not require presensitization.
There is no routine reporting of bites and stings therefore it is difficult to estimate how many people suffer reactions. In the US, serious anaphylactic reactions account for 40 deaths a year. It is estimated that about 0.4% to 0.8% of children and 3% of adults who are stung experience life-threatening systemic reactions. About half of the fatal reactions have occurred in people without previous reaction to stings.
Local – irritation, swelling
Systemic – Life-threatening reactions are rare but require prompt treatment to avoid serious outcomes
Secondary infection - Infection may develop at the site of the bite or sting where the skin barrier has been breached
Disease transmission – Mosquito bites may transmit malaria, dengue, yellow fever and some forms of encephalitis. Tick bites may transmit Lyme disease
Serum sickness - This is uncommon but the delayed reaction may occur one week after envenomation. Fever, myalgias, arthralgias, rash, adenopathy and headache can occur.
Witnessed bite/sting
Local edema, pain and warmth around bite/sting
Pruritus.
If these symptoms are mild then normally supportive measures can be implemented by using a cloth wrapped ice pack at the site of the bite, local bite ointments applied to the skin and cleaning the wound with water. If the symptoms worsen then seek medical advice.
These can range from mild to life-threatening. If a person is exhibiting any of the following then it could indicate an anaphylactic response and the patient must be seen immediately in the Emergency Room without delay as they may need airway protection and the administration of epinephrine. People who have had a previous anaphylaxis attack will normally carry an EpiPen with them so they can administer their own epinephrine if they have a subsequent attack.
Skin pallor
Clamminess
Breathing difficulty
Oropharyngeal edema
Respiratory compromise
Tachycardia
Skin flushing
Altered level of consciousness.
Avoidance of contact with insects is the prime factor for prevention.
Avoid exposure at times when bugs and insects are at their most active like dusk and dawn
Avoid scented cosmetics and perfumes
Wear long sleeve tops, tops, trousers and hats
Use insect repellents
Wear shoes when outdoors
Never disturb insect nests
Avoid camping near water such as ponds and swamps
To prevent insects getting into the house if doors are left open use a netting or beads over the door.
If you're unsure about any of the symptoms listed here, or you think you may have had a reaction to a bite or sting, run it through the Isabel Symptom Checker: