Most of the time, a bite or sting is just a painful annoyance. But knowing when it’s something more can help you get the care you need for your children. Here’s what parents should know about bug bites and stings to help keep kids safe this summer. 

What to Expect with Bites and Insect Stings in Children

The good news: most of the time, a bug bite or sting is usually harmless.

Most bug bites cause redness, mild swelling, and itching around the bite site. This is a totally normal response and usually clears up within a day or two. Mosquito bites in children in particular can be very itchy! Bee and wasp stings tend to cause a bit more immediate pain and swelling, but again, most reactions are mild and manageable at home.

Some kids develop larger local reactions, with swelling that spreads several inches from the bite. This can look alarming but isn’t always dangerous. However, it’s worth monitoring closely, especially if swelling continues to grow after the first few hours.

Summer rashes in kids can also come from contact with plants like poison ivy or poison oak, heat rash from sweating, or reactions to sunscreen and bug spray. These are typically itchy and uncomfortable but not dangerous on their own.

Signs of a Serious Allergic Reaction

In some cases, reactions can be more serious.

Some children have severe allergic reactions to insect stings, and symptoms can escalate quickly. A serious reaction, known as anaphylaxis, is a medical emergency.

Call 911 immediately if your child shows:

• Wheezing or difficulty breathing
• Swelling in the face, lips, or throat
• Hives spreading across the body
• Vomiting, dizziness, or loss of consciousness
• A sudden drop in energy or going limp shortly after a sting

If your child has a known allergy and carries an epinephrine auto-injector, use it right away and still call 911.

How to Relieve Itching and Swelling at Home

For non-emergency bites and stings, when your child is just dealing with pain, discomfort, and light swelling, a little bit of simple home care goes a long way.

After bites or stings:

• Remove a bee stinger quickly by scraping it out with a flat edge, not squeezing it
• Wash the area with soap and water
• Apply a cold pack or cool cloth to reduce swelling
• Use an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to ease itching
• Give an antihistamine like diphenhydramine if itching is significant, following dosage guidelines for your child’s age and weight
• Keep your child from scratching, which can lead to infection

If symptoms are not improving, a visit to urgent care for kids can help.

KidsStreet is open late 7 days a week! Our providers can help care for bites, stings, rashes, and other common summertime conditions. Seeing a provider is particularly important if your child has a tick bite, since ticks can cause serious illnesses like Lyme disease.

Remember: when in doubt, getting checked out is always a good idea. Register online to save your spot in line and skip the wait. We’re here to help your child feel better and get back to enjoying summer.