Bug Bite Treatment (cont.)

Medical Author:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Natural and home remedies for bug bites or stings

Natural or home remedies that may work include tea tree oil, lavender oil, o, oatmeal, fresh-cut onion, or toothpaste applied topically to the bite also have been reported to reduce symptoms of bites and stings. However, most of my colleagues and friends in the medical field and I have had no personal experience with these home remedies.

Although most bites and stings produce mild symptoms, some do not. The most immediate problem that may develop with some people is an allergic reaction to a bug bite or sting, which can be a medical emergency. The following signs and symptoms indicate the person should receive immediate (emergency) treatment:

• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of lips, tongue, or throat
• Rapid heartbeat
• Dizziness, syncope (passing out) or near-syncope
• Confusion
• Hives, especially rapidly occurring large hives
• Stomach cramps,
• Nausea and vomiting

If the person who has been bitten or stung carries an Epipen (epinephrine in an auto-injector syringe), inject it into the person's thigh, loosen any tight clothing, call 911, and if warranted, initiate CPR.

There are a few bites and stings that can lead to the development of long-term medical problems that are not covered in the scope of this article in which the "bugs" act as vectors for specific pathogens such as:

• Chagas disease (caused by the kissing bug)
• Lyme disease,
• yellow fever,
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever,
• Tularemia,
• Malaria,
• Dengue fever,
• leishmaniasis,
• plague,
• bed bugs,
• West Nile virus, and
• many others.

Is there any wonder why I hate "bugs"?

REFERENCES:

WebMD.com. Common Stinging or Biting Insects or Spiders.

CDC.gov. Protection against Mosquitoes, Ticks, & Other Insects & Arthropods.