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Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites

Overview

Insect and spider bites often cause minor swelling, redness, pain, and itching. These mild reactions are common. They may last from a few hours to a few days. Home treatment is often all that's needed to relieve the symptoms of a mild reaction to common stinging or biting spiders and insects, such as fleas, flies, and mosquitoes.

Some people have more severe reactions to bites or stings. Babies and children may be more affected than adults are.

Examples of problems that are more serious include:

  • A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxisanaphylaxis). These reactions aren't common. But they can be life-threatening and require emergency care. They may cause:
    • ShockShock. This can occur if the circulatory system can't get enough blood to the vital organs.
    • Coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing, or a feeling of fullness in the mouth or throat.
    • Swelling of the lips, tongue, ears, eyelids, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and mucous membranes (angioedema).
    • LightheadednessLightheadedness and confusionconfusion.
    • Belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
    • Raised, red, itchy bumps called hiveshives and red skin. These symptoms often occur with other symptoms of a severe reaction.
  • A toxic reaction to a single sting or bite. Spiders or insects that may cause this include:
    • Black widow spiders.
    • Brown recluse spidersBrown recluse spiders.
    • ScorpionsScorpions.
    • Puss caterpillars (woolly slugs)Puss caterpillars (woolly slugs).
  • A toxic reaction to multiple stings or bites from a bee, wasp, or fire ant.
    • A bee leaves its stinger behind and then dies after stinging. Africanized honeybees, the so-called killer beeskiller bees, are more aggressive than common honeybees. They often attack together in great numbers. Reaction to bee stings can range from minor skin swelling and redness to a serious allergic reaction.
    • Wasps, including hornets and yellow jacketsWasps, including hornets and yellow jackets, can sting over and over.
    • A fire ant is a wingless insect. It attaches to a person by biting with its jaws. Then, pivoting its head, it stings from its belly in a circular pattern at multiple sites.
  • A large skin reaction with swelling and redness that spreads away from the site of the bite or sting. It may be as large as swelling across two major joints, such as from the elbow to the shoulder.
  • A skin infectionskin infection at the site of the bite or sting.
  • Serum sicknessSerum sickness. This is a reaction to the medicines (antiserum) used to treat a bite or sting. It may cause hives and flu-like symptoms, such as a fever, muscle aches, or a headache about 3 to 21 days after the use of antiserum.
  • A virus infection. Infected mosquitoes can spread the West Nile virusWest Nile virus to people, causing an inflammation of the brain (encephalitisencephalitis).
  • A parasite infection. Infected mosquitoes can spread malariamalaria.

Common insects and spiders

Insects that cause mild reactions include:

  • Bedbugs.
  • Kissing bugs.
  • Chiggers.
  • Fleas.
  • Flies.
  • Mites.
  • Mosquitoes.
  • Nonpoisonous spiders.
  • Ticks.
  • Scabies.
  • Lice.

Some insects are more likely than others to cause allergic or toxic reactions.

  • A bee leaves its stinger behind and then dies after stinging. Africanized honeybees, the so-called killer beeskiller bees, are more aggressive than common honeybees and often attack together in great numbers. Reaction to bee stings can range from minor skin swelling and redness to a serious allergic reaction.
  • Wasps, including hornets and yellow jackets, can sting over and over. Yellow jackets cause the greatest number of allergic reactions.
  • A fire ant attaches to a person by biting with its jaws. Then, pivoting its head, it stings from its abdomen in a circular pattern at multiple sites.
Check Your Symptoms Self-Care Preparing For Your Appointment

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffIgnite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review BoardClinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of UseTerms of Use. Learn how we develop our contenthow we develop our content.

© 2024-2025 Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

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