Insect Bites and Stings: MedlinePlus
A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health
Insect Bites and Stings
Also called: Bug bites
Most insect bites are harmless, though they sometimes cause discomfort. Bee, wasp, and hornet stings and fire ant bites usually hurt. Mosquito, flea, and mite bites usually itch. Insects can also spread diseases. In the United States, some mosquitoes spread West Nile virus. Travelers outside the United States may be at risk for malaria and other infections.
To prevent insect bites and their complications
Don't bother insects
Use insect repellant
Wear protective clothing
Be careful when you eat outside because food attracts insects
If you know you have severe allergic reactions to insect bites, carry an emergency epinephrine kit
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Anaphylaxis
Bee poison
Bug repellent safety
Caterpillars
Centipede
Chiggers
Fire ants
Fleas
Insect bites and stings
Millipede toxin
Related Topics
Animal Bites
Bedbugs
Dengue
Lyme Disease
Malaria
Plague
Spider Bites
Tick Bites
West Nile Virus
Injuries and Wounds
Skin, Hair and Nails
National Institutes of Health
The primary NIH organization for research on Insect Bites and Stingsis the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Start Here
Beware of Bug Bites and Stings(Food and Drug Administration)
Bug Bites and Stings(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Identifying Insect Bites and Stings(American Academy of Pediatrics)
Also available in Spanish
Overviews
Insect Bites and Stings(American Academy of Pediatrics)
Also available in Spanish
Insects and Scorpions(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
JAMA Patient Page: Insect Bites and Stings(American Medical Association) - PDF
Also available in Spanish
Diagnosis/Symptoms
Insect Sting Allergy: Symptoms(National Jewish Health)
Treatment
First Aid: Insect Stings and Bites(Nemours Foundation)
Insect Bites and Stings: First Aid(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Insect Sting Allergy: Treatment(National Jewish Health)
Skin Emergencies: Bee Sting, Cuts and Scratches, Burns, Allergic Reactions(National Center for Farmworker Health) - PDF
Also available in Spanish
Prevention/Screening
FAQ: Insect Repellent Use and Safety(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Insect Repellent DEET(Environmental Protection Agency)
Also available in Spanish
Insect Repellents: Use and Effectiveness(Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide Programs)
Permethrin-Impregnated Clothing(Department of Defense, Deployment Health Clinical Center) - PDF
Protecting Yourself from Stinging Insects(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) - PDF
Return to top
Specific Conditions
Bee Stings(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Dust Mites in the Home(American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also available in Spanish
Fire Ant Allergy(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
Also available in Spanish
Fire Ant Bites(American Osteopathic College of Dermatology)
Mosquito Bites(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Stinging Insect Allergy(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
Wings and Stings(American Academy of Pediatrics)
Also available in Spanish
Return to top
Related Issues
Anaphylaxis(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Return to top
Pictures & Photographs
Arthropod (Insect) Bite or Sting(Logical Images)
Dust Mites(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
Fire Ants Photos(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
Flea Bite(Logical Images)
Return to top
Tutorials
Virtual Allergist(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
Return to top
Games
Stinging Insect Matching Game(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
Return to top
Clinical Trials
ClinicalTrials.gov: Insect Repellents(National Institutes of Health)
ClinicalTrials.gov: Scorpion Stings(National Institutes of Health)
ClinicalTrials.gov: Insect Bites and Stings(National Institutes of Health)
Return to top
Research
How Mosquitoes Detect People(National Institutes of Health)
Taking the Bite Out of Vector-Borne Diseases(National Institute of General Medical Sciences)
Return to top
Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Article: Clinical practice. Hymenoptera-sting hypersensitivity.
Article: Stop the biting: targeting a mosquito's sense of smell.
Article: Recognition and first-line treatment of anaphylaxis.
Insect Bites and Stings -- see more articles
Return to top
Organizations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Also available in Spanish
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Return to top
Children
Arthropod (Insect) Bite or Sting(Logical Images)
Hey! A Bee Stung Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Hey! A Chigger Bit Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Hey! A Fire Ant Stung Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Hey! A Flea Bit Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Hey! A Gnat Bit Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Hey! A Louse Bit Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Hey! A Mosquito Bit Me!(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Insect Repellents: Protect Your Child from Insect Bites(American Academy of Pediatrics)
What to Do When You're Bugged by Bugs(Nemours Foundation)
Return to top
Teenagers
Bug Bites and Stings(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Return to top
Women
DEET (N,N-ethyl-m-toluamide) and Pregnancy(Organization of Teratology Information Specialists) - PDF
Also available in Spanish
Return to top
Patient Handouts
Anaphylaxis
Also available in Spanish
Bee poison
Also available in Spanish
Bug repellent safety
Also available in Spanish
Caterpillars
Also available in Spanish
Centipede
Also available in Spanish
Chiggers
Also available in Spanish
Fire ants
Also available in Spanish
Fleas
Also available in Spanish
Insect bites and stings
Also available in Spanish
Millipede toxin
Also available in Spanish
Rickettsial pox
Also available in Spanish
Scorpions
Also available in Spanish
Typhus
Also available in Spanish
Wasp sting
Also available in Spanish
Return to top