How to Treat an Allergic Reaction to Insect Bites

Co-authored by Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH and Jennifer Mueller, JD

Last Updated: January 6, 2022 References

Bug bites are common, especially in the summer months or if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Typically, you'll see a small red bump. It might hurt a little or itch, and that's it. But if you have an allergic reaction, these symptoms can be more intense. While it's rare for a bug bite to be life-threatening, an allergic reaction can still be tough to deal with.^{[1]
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National Health Service (UK)
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Go to source} That's why we here at wikiHow have collected some of the best tips and tricks for treating your allergic reaction to an insect bite so it won't slow you down.

1

Seek immediate medical attention for anaphylaxis.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis include dizziness and trouble breathing. Anaphylaxis isn't common with bug bites—but if you've experienced it before, you might get it again. A rash and a runny nose are likely the first things you'll notice. If you have an EpiPen, use it immediately before calling an emergency number, such as 911 in the US. Be on the lookout for the following symptoms:^{[2]
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- Tightness in your throat or trouble breathing
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Abdominal pain or diarrhea
- Rapid heart rate

2

Contact your doctor if you have extreme pain or swelling.

While this isn't an emergency, seek medical treatment within 24 hours. It's normal to get some swelling and redness around a bug bite, especially immediately after you get bit. But any swelling, pain, or redness is typically confined to the area immediately around the bite. If you have more generalized pain or a spreading rash, medical treatment will help.^{[3]
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- For example, suppose you get a bug bite on your calf. Within an hour, your entire leg hurts and you can't put any weight on it. You also have a rash spreading from your calf over your whole leg. This is a reaction a doctor needs to look at.
- If your symptoms get worse, not better, an hour or two after the bite, call your doctor and have them look at it.
- You might also go to an emergency or after-hours clinic if you're really concerned about it (or if you're in a lot of pain).

3

Wash the area with soap and water for mild reactions.

This helps get rid of any toxins in bug saliva that you might be reacting to. Cleaning away any sweat or dirt also lowers the risk that the bite could get infected. Don't scrub too hard—you might break the skin. Just dab it gently and rinse off the soap. Then pat it dry.^{[4]
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4

Apply a cold compress for 10 minutes to reduce swelling.

Wrap an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables in a towel. Hold it to the bite to reduce swelling and inflammation. It'll also slightly numb the area so it won't itch as much.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor
Expert Interview. 13 April 2020.} Do this once an hour as needed until your symptoms ease up.^{[6]
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5

Elevate the affected area to reduce swelling.

Raise the area with the bite above the level of your heart. Elevating the area causes blood and fluid to flow away from the bite, which can reduce inflammation. A cold compress will work even better if you're able to elevate the bite at the same time.^{[7]
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- This is relatively easy if the bite is on an arm or a leg. If the bite is on your torso, however, it might not be possible to effectively elevate it.

6

Apply over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream for itch relief.

Avoid scratching the bite to reduce the risk of infection. The bite might be itchy for up to a week, especially if you're having an allergic reaction. Hydrocortisone cream is available at discount and drug stores and you can apply it as needed.^{[8]
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- Try to rub and not scratch the bites to prevent infection.^{[9]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
  Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor
  Expert Interview. 13 April 2020.} If you have a hard time not scratching, you might want to cover the bite with a bandage. It won't do anything to help the area heal faster, but it'll keep you from scratching your skin directly.

7

Try an over-the-counter antihistamine to calm the reaction.

An oral antihistamine helps get rid of a rash or itching. Buy an antihistamine at your local drug or discount store and take it immediately. Different products have different dosage instructions, but generally, you can continue to take it every 4-6 hours as needed.^{[10]
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- If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking an antihistamine.

8

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as needed.

Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and inflammation. Follow the dosage instructions on the bottle. If you take something over-the-counter and it's not helping, call your doctor.^{[11]
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- OTC pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications are usually most helpful immediately after the bite happens. If you find you still need to take something the next day, you might want to call your doctor.

9

See your doctor if the rash around a tick bite expands.

An expanding or bull's eye-shaped rash isn't an allergic reaction. A normal reaction to a tick bite is a small, red bump, less than 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) in diameter. If the rash grows larger within 1-3 days after the bite, or develops the characteristic bull's eye shape, get treatment for Lyme disease.^{[12]
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- Lyme disease is usually easily treated with a round of antibiotics, but it's better to get started with that as soon as possible.
- Keep in mind that a normal tick bite reaction can last several days or even weeks after the initial bite, but it won't grow any bigger. It's the expansion that you need to look out for. Draw a line around the outside of the redness with a pen or marker so you can easily see if it's expanding.

10

Use antibiotic ointment if the bite looks infected.

Buy antibiotic ointment at a local drug or discount store. Wash the bite area with soap and warm water, then pat it dry. Rub in a thin layer of antibiotic ointment according to the instructions on the package. You might want to cover it with a bandage to protect it and keep the ointment from rubbing off or transferring to your clothes.^{[13]
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- If the bite doesn't look any better after using antibiotic ointment for 48 hours according to the instructions on the package, call your doctor. They can prescribe a stronger antibiotic.

11

Try to avoid insects in the future if you have allergic reactions.

Use bug spray and take precautions to prevent bites. While allergic reactions to insect bites typically aren't life-threatening, they can certainly be annoying and even painful! If you get allergic reactions, try to stay away from areas where bugs are likely to be, such as wooded areas and gardens. When you are planning to go outside for an extended period of time, take the following precautions:^{[14]
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- Wear long sleeves and long pants
- Spray your skin and clothes with bug repellent
- Don't wear perfume or lotion with a floral or sweet scent
- Keep food and drink covered outside
- Stay out of tall grass or areas with dense brush
- Use citronella candles.^{[15]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
  Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor
  Expert Interview. 13 April 2020.}

Expert Q&A

Question

What can I do to get relief from itching?

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor
Dr. Andrea Rudominer is a board certified Pediatrician and Integrative Medicine Doctor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Rudominer has over 15 years of medical care experience and specializes in preventive health care, obesity, adolescent care, ADHD, and culturally competent care. Dr. Rudominer received her MD from the University of California, Davis, and completed a residency at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. Dr. Rudominer also has an MPH in Maternal Child Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Member of the American Board of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Member and Delegate of the California Medical Association, and a Member of the Santa Clara County Medical Association.

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH

Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor

Expert Answer

You can apply an aromatherapy blend. Add 5-drops of lavender essential oil, 3-drops of frankincense essential oil, and 2-drops of peppermint essential oil to 1-ounce of almond or coconut oil. Apply it to the affected area. It can have a soothing effect and relieve itching. Cool compresses, oatmeal baths, and topical poultices can also be helpful.
Question

Does a hot shower reduce itching?

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor
Dr. Andrea Rudominer is a board certified Pediatrician and Integrative Medicine Doctor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Rudominer has over 15 years of medical care experience and specializes in preventive health care, obesity, adolescent care, ADHD, and culturally competent care. Dr. Rudominer received her MD from the University of California, Davis, and completed a residency at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. Dr. Rudominer also has an MPH in Maternal Child Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Member of the American Board of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Member and Delegate of the California Medical Association, and a Member of the Santa Clara County Medical Association.

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH

Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor

Expert Answer

Avoid taking a shower after you have an insect bite. It may make you feel good at the time. But it can make the insect bite much itchier afterward because heat releases the histamines that make you itchy.