First aid for insect bites and stings

Bites and stings from insects such as mosquitoes, bees, flies, and bed bugs are common in Nigeria and other African countries. Some of these insect bites are harmless, such as those by bed bugs, while others insects can transmit diseases, such as mosquitoes that carry malaria parasites. These bites and stings most times result in discomfort, itching or pain. In rare cases, insect bites or stings can cause severe allergic reactions that require emergency care.

If you have been bitten or stung by an insect, do not be alarmed. Follow these easy first aid steps:

• Get to safety, move away from the insect’s nest, beehive or ant colony to a place with no such risk of further insect bites or stings.
• Clean the affected area with warm water and soap and remove any materials from the sting or bite site. Sometimes insects leave parts of themselves like stingers in your skin. You can remove these by scraping them out with a card (or something with a hard edge) or picking them out with a tweezer.
• Apply ice packs (ice wrapped in cloth or towel) to the area to relieve the swelling and pain. You can also use drugs like paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve the pain.
• To relieve the itch, you can use over-the-counter creams like calamine lotion. You can also apply baking soda paste or oatmeal to the area. Anti-histamines like piriton can be used, if the itch is all over the body or not relieved by creams.
• Avoid scratching the affected part to prevent bruises.
• People with severe allergies should reach out to their healthcare provider as soon as possible.

You can also check out this post on first aid for scorpion sting.

If you experience one or more of the following, you should see your healthcare provider as soon as possible:

• Large swellings (bigger than the bite).
• Swellings around the face and neck.
• Redness, pus or pain at the site of the bite.
• Difficulty breathing or inability to swallow foods.
• Dizziness or fainting.

You should also see your healthcare provider if you have had a severe reaction to an insect bite before.

Since we know that insect bites can be painful and uncomfortable, it is best to prevent these bites. The following are ways to keep insects away:

• Cover your legs, feet and arms outdoors, especially on a farm or in bushy areas. You can wear long-sleeve shirts and long trousers.
• Use insect repellent creams when you go to infested areas or when you sit outside. You can also use this cream before you sleep to prevent mosquito bites.
• Keep your house and the surroundings clean. Clear your gutters regularly, cut down trees, get rid of stagnant water close by and also, ensure that your bin is always covered with a tight-fitting lid.
• Use insecticides to get rid of insects infesting your home or the surroundings.
• Sleep under insecticide-treated nets at night.
• Do not remove insect nests or hives by yourself as it will put you at risk of an attack. The best thing to do if you find nests or hives on your property is to call someone who knows how to control pests.
• Avoid wearing perfumes that are very strong or have fruity scents. Such scents attract insects and they may bite you.

After a bite, you may notice red, small, painful or itchy bumps at the site. This usually resolves within a few hours to days. Swelling at the site may indicate a mild allergic reaction which is nothing to worry about. Most insect bites resolve after using home remedies and drugs (e.g. painkillers, lotions) gotten from the pharmacy. However, in a cases where you experience serious allergic reactions to the sting or bite, you should seek care immediately. You and your family can avoid insect bites by keeping your surroundings free of them and anything that will encourage their breeding (e.g. pools of stagnant water).