Bites & Stings

Insect bites are common and can be very itchy. It can cause a red lump on the skin that usually lasts for a few days. The size varies depending on the type of insect that bit you. This type of bite typically disappears on its own.

Mosquito bites are mostly prevalent every summer. Generally, they should not be a cause of alarm except when you travel to a place where there is a malaria outbreak found mostly in tropical countries. 

Bites from bed bugs, fleas, mites, gnats, and midges are also harmless but can be very itchy. They usually appear in small red lumps. Bigger bites come from horseflies and can be a bit painful, although harmless too. What you need to watch out for are tick bites which might be carrying Lyme disease. If you see a tick on your skin, remove it quickly to avoid getting infected. 

Like a bite, stings are also caused by insects. But instead of biting, they use their stinger which they sometimes leave onto the skin. Common bites come from wasps and hornets that can cause a sharp, sudden pain. It eventually leaves a swollen red bump that becomes painful and itchy for days. 

Bees stings are also similar to a wasp or hornet sting however they are less common. They also come in a swollen red bump that is painful and itchy. When a honeybee stings you, it will die immediately because of its inability to pull out its stinger from the skin. This is why you still see the sting stuck on you. 

Bites and stings usually disappear on their own after a few days. However, they can be very itchy and sometimes painful. You can take medications to help alleviate your condition. True Medical offers treatments to help ease the itchiness until it is gone. 

It is recommended to apply an insect repellant especially during summer or when you are travelling. This will prevent you from being bitten or stung. A mild allergy sometimes occurs causing the skin to get red or slightly swollen. If your symptoms are severe, it is best to get immediate medical attention from a hospital.