chickenpox	colic	conjunctivitis	constipation
	coughs	cradle cap	croup	diarrhea
	earache	fever	head injury	head lice
	headache	hives	impetigo	insect bites
	limb pain	menstrual cramps	mouth ulcers	nosebleeds
	pinworms	poison ivy	ringworm	sore throat
	sunburn	teething	thrush	tick bites
	vomiting

INSECT BITES

Most insect bites are nothing more than a minor nuisance. There are, however, some instances when the bite or sting can cause more severe problems. This rarely occurs with the common mosquito, gnat or flea bite but is more likely with wasp, bee or fire ant bites. A normal reaction to an insect bite can range from a small red bump and swelling to less severe swelling and redness at the site of the bite in addition to mild tenderness. The severity of the symptoms associated with the bite will determine the urgency of the problem. Call at once if any of the following signs or symptoms are present:

• Difficult breathing, wheezing or difficulty swallowing;
• Progressively spreading hives;
• Severe and rapidly advancing redness, swelling and pain around the area of the bite, or
• If your child has a history of severe allergic reactions to the same kind of insect bite, especially bees, wasps and yellow jackets.

If you have any emergency during or after hours call 345-3133.

For most insect bites, the symptoms can be relieved with a few minor home remedies:

• For itches, the application of Calamine lotion or an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream may be helpful. Bathing with Aveeno colloidal oatmeal may provide comfort and taking Benadryl liquid in appropriate doses may also help relieve itching. It is helpful to cut your child’s fingernails short and discourage further scratching at the bites. Washing a child’s hands with a germ killing soap such as Dial is advisable and should be done several times a day.
• For painful bites like those from bees, wasps, fire ants or yellow jackets, the application of a meat tenderizer solution using a cotton ball will help relieve the pain and neutralize the venom. If you have no tenderizer available, applying an ice cube directly to the site of the sting may be helpful. If the stinger is visible, removal with tweezers should be accomplished as soon as possible. Remember that less serious local reactions often have more swelling in the second 24 hours after the bite. The swelling may often appear quite dramatic, but the area is not usually tender to the touch.
• Prevention of insect bites is often difficult depending on the setting. Insect repellents containing the chemical DEET such as is found in Off, must be used with caution. They are best applied just to the clothing of younger children and in moderation to the exposed skin of older children. Some say that Avon’s Skin-So-Soft applied as an insect repellent is moderately effective.
• For the best way to rid pets or your household of fleas, contact your veterinarian.

If you child has a bite that is not responding to home treatment or is getting progressively worse despite your efforts, please call and arrange to have him evaluated during regular office hours.

This advice on insect bites is presented as general information and is not meant to be specific treatment for your child’s medical problem. If you need further assistance, call 855-9160 during regular office hours to speak with one of our Health Information Nurses.