Insect Bites and Stings Treatments Sterling, VA
Insect bites and stings have a wide variety of effects, ranging from mild stinging and itching to life-threatening allergic reactions. These effects impact individuals on a case-by-case basis but largely depend on the type of insect bite, allergies one may have, and diseases the insect may be carrying. If stinging and itching do not go away, the affected person should seek immediate medical care.
Insect bites and stings can be checked at Millennium Medical Care Stone Springs in Sterling and the surrounding area. Our staff can help you determine whether the bite or sting is detrimental or contains disease and help you treat it. Call us at (703) 665-3242 to visit our urgent care center for an evaluation and treatment today.
Urgent Care Treatment for Insect Bites and Stings
An urgent care physician can treat insect bites and stings with minor symptoms such as redness, itchiness, stinging, and burning. We can provide topical ointments and creams, treat the infected area with a thorough cleaning, and reduce swelling with a cold pack. The physician may also prescribe anti-itching creams or ointments coupled with an oral antihistamine medication that reduces itching.
If minor symptoms persist even with the use of ointments and medication, or the physician notices signs of an allergy, they may refer the patient to an allergy specialist. A patient with severe symptoms should go to the emergency room immediately and seek professional medical treatment.
“An urgent care physician can treat insect bites and stings with minor symptoms such as redness, itchiness, stinging, and burning.”
Insects That Cause Reactions
It is important to know and recognize the common insects that cause itching, swelling, and other conditions.
- Bedbugs
- Bees, yellow jackets, wasps
- Biting midges
- Blackflies
- Chiggers
- Fire ants
- Fleas and ticks
- Mosquitos
- Sandflies
- Spiders
An insect sting introduces venom into the patient's body, causing symptoms such as burning, itching, and redness. If the body is allergic to the venom, it can even cause anaphylactic shock, a severe allergic reaction. This reaction most commonly occurs from bee stings.
Insect bites can cause similar reactions, but the body reacts to the substances in the insect's saliva instead of reacting to the venom. Regardless of the insect or method of injury, an urgent care physician can diagnose and treat them immediately. If symptoms or discomfort persist, the physician may need to run allergy tests or refer the patient to a specialist.
“Insect bites can cause similar reactions, but the body reacts to the substances in the insect’s saliva as opposed to the venom”
Types of Reactions
When a patient comes in for a sting or bite, the urgent care physician first classifies their reaction as local, papular urticaria, or systemic.
Local Reactions
Local reactions are limited to the location of the bite or sting and are usually minor reactions. Local symptoms occur at the site of the punctured skin and result in mild itching, redness, and swelling. A local reaction for someone who is allergic can cause severe difficulty breathing, hives, dizziness, swelling of the face or throat, and rapid pulse. These symptoms usually occur within minutes of the injury but may worsen over time.
Papular Urticaria
Papular urticaria refers to a specific allergic reaction that causes intense and chronic itching stemming from swollen spots on your skin. There is usually a delay between the bite and the time you see a swollen bump or lesion. New lesions may appear, and new itching may cause old injuries to reactivate, leading to a long cycle that may last from months to even years.
Occurring in exposed areas of the skin (such as the arms, lower legs, upper back, and scalp), patients may experience itching, redness, and swelling. An urgent care physician can prescribe oral antihistamines to reduce itching as well as topical steroid creams to alleviate symptoms caused by the immune system.
Systemic Reactions
Systemic reactions are more severe allergic reactions in which other areas of the body are affected due to the immune system. This severe reaction usually happens anywhere between two minutes to two hours from the time of the bite or sting.
Systemic symptoms include itching, redness, burning, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and swelling of the upper body, face, tongue, and/or throat. An urgent care physician will follow strict protocol if they believe you are having a systemic reaction. This typically includes epinephrine, such as an Epi-Pen, as well as other measures such as IV fluids to combat the allergic response.
“When a patient comes in for a sting or bite, the urgent care physician first classifies their reaction as local, papular urticaria, or systemic.”
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Diseases Transmitted by Insects
Unfortunately, the insect may also carry a disease that can transfer to humans. Many of these diseases are a result of increased travel, especially international travel. For example, ticks are known for causing various diseases specific to different regions in the United States and abroad but may travel and find new hosts in other areas.
A few of the diseases transmitted from various insects found in the U.S. include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, West Nile virus, Malaria, and yellow fever. While rare, it is possible for more serious illnesses to be transmitted to you from a simple insect bite or sting. If you begin to notice more serious symptoms that are different from the ones specified, visit an urgent care center right away. Remember to tell the physician about any travel or bites you recently encountered.
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What can an urgent care physician help with?
Q. What are the most common types of insect bites and stings?
Q. What types of reactions can occur from bites and stings?
People Also Ask
Q. What are the different types of allergies?
Q. What are symptoms and treatments for rashes?
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Q. When should I seek professional treatment for vomiting or diarrhea?
Skin Conditions Mistaken for Insect Bites and Stings
Several conditions mimic the appearance and symptoms of insect bites and stings, which may lead the victim to treat it the same way as typical bug bites. The treatment may reduce some swelling or itching, but it will not remove the underlying condition. Common skin conditions include folliculitis, lymphomatoid papulosis, and Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA).
Each of these skin disorders has different causes and treatments, which can be difficult to determine alone. We can establish whether the symptoms are occurring due to an insect bite or sting, another condition needing further testing, or require a specialist. In any case, the patient must seek immediate professional care when experiencing severe symptoms or reactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can I treat multiple or recurring insect bites?
A. If you are constantly being bit or stung, it is a good idea to find the source of the problem (i.e., in the bedding, backyard, or bathroom). Regular sanitation of the home and other frequently used areas can help eliminate or reduce insect bites. With minor bites and stings, make sure to remove the stinger, as it can continue to excrete venom throughout the body, and clean the bite thoroughly.
Q. How can I help someone with a severe insect bite or sting who cannot help themselves?
A. In many severe cases, the victim is unable to breathe, react, take medication, or seek emergency help alone. Check to see if they have an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others) to treat an allergic attack. Loosen any tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket, and do not give them anything to drink. If the person is vomiting, position him or her to prevent choking. Begin CPR if the person shows no signs of circulation, such as breathing, coughing, or movement. Take them to an emergency room as soon as possible.
Q. Are there any natural home remedies to combat minor bites and stings?
A. Cold compressions and concentrated heat (baths, heat pads) can significantly reduce swelling and itchiness. Antihistamines and hydrocortisone are topical creams that combat the inflammatory response with bug bites and reduce inflammation and itchiness. Natural remedies that have some of the same healing properties are honey and aloe vera.
Q. When should an insect bite or sting be alarming if I do not have allergies?
A. If minor symptoms are not improving within a few days with home care remedies, there may be an underlying issue. Bites or stings that occur in the mouth, throat, or near the eyes call for more urgent medical care. If a bite or sting causes a large area around the bite (10 cm or more) to become red and swollen, it often means the victim is having an allergic reaction.
Q. What kind of insect bite could I have if my symptoms do not match those of common bites?
A. Most bites and stings result in the common symptoms listed above (itchiness, redness, and swelling). If the infected area is more of a welt, it will look like a raised, red patch; if it is a blister, it will produce a pocket of fluid and pus. Welts and blisters come from beetle bites and are generally more painful. Patients with beetle bites should take the same precautions and follow the same protocol as other insect bites.
Start Feeling Better – Visit Us Today
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with stronger medication and treatment options instead of ineffective store-bought products.
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Definitions
Come In Today
If you are concerned about a bite or sting and want to schedule an appointment, call us at 703-665-3242. We also accept walk-ins.
Helpful Related Links
- American Journal of Medicine. American Journal of Medicine. 2023
- American Medical Association (AMA). American Medical Association (AMA). 2023
- American Medical Society For Sports Medicine (AMSSM). American Medical Society For Sports Medicine. 2023
- American Trauma Society. American Trauma Society. 2023
- John Hopkins Medicine Orthopaedic Surgery. John Hopkins Medicine Orthopaedic Surgery. 2023
- National Council on Aging. National Council on Aging. 2023
- Orthopaedic Surgery: Association of American Medical Colleges. Orthopaedic Surgery: Association of American Medical Colleges. 2023
- Radiological Society of North America. Radiological Society of North America. 2023
About our business and website security
- Millennium Medical Care Stone Springs was established in 2023.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: Loudoun County
- We serve patients from the following cities: South Riding, Brambleton, Sterling, Ashburn, and Aldie
- National Provider Identifier Database (1427061381). View NPI Registry Information
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