Insect bites and stings

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Insect bites and stings

Alternative Names

Bedbug bite; Bee sting; Bites - insects, bees, and spiders; Black widow spider bite; Brown recluse bite; Flea bite; Honey bee or hornet sting; Lice bites; Mite bite; Scorpion bite; Spider bite; Wasp sting; Yellow jacket sting

Symptoms

The non-emergency symptoms vary according to the type of insect and the individual. Most people have localized pain, redness, swelling, or itching. You may also feel burning, numbness, or tingling.

References

Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2004.

Noble J, ed. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001.

Auerbach PS. Wilderness Medicine. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001.


Bedbug - close-up


Black widow spider


Body louse


Flea


Fly


Kissing bug


Dust mite


Mosquito, adult feeding on the skin


Wasp


Insect stings and allergy


Brown recluse spider


Black widow spider


Stinger removal


Flea bite - close-up


Insect bite reaction - close-up


Insect bites on the legs


Head louse, male


Head louse - female


Head louse infestation - scalp


Lice, body with stool (Pediculus humanus)


Body louse, female and larvae


Crab louse, female


Pubic louse-male


Head louse and pubic louse


Brown recluse spider bite on the hand


Insect bites and stings

Review Date: 2/19/2008
Reviewed By: John E. Duldner, Jr., MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Director of Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Akron General Medical Center and Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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