Summer Time Pests

Being out of school for the summer is a fun adventure for kids. This adventure usually contains a lot of outdoor time and typically a few bug bites. Most of the time children won’t even notice that they have been bitten.

Now don’t panic if your child has a few bumps after playing in the yard. Most often common insects are the culprit when it comes to these little red welts, but occasionally wasps, bees, fire ants, hornets, or even poisonous spiders are the offenders. The best way to find out what type of insect caused the bite is by looking at the symptoms.

Bug Bite Symptoms

1. Tick-It causes a rash which looks like a bull’s-eye surrounding the center bite mark. Lyme disease is the thing that usually causes alarm when it comes to tick bites, it is important to follow up with your family medical doctor.
2. Ant-This type of sting is usually only a minor skin irritation, but fire ants cause pimple like blisters which are pus-filled which often start with intense burning pain after the initial sting.
3. Mosquito-Itchy is the best way to describe a mosquito bite. It is a round, redish/pinkish, raised bump on the skin. Most often it is harmless. Occasionally mosquitoes are carrying serious viruses including West Nile, malaria, or the Zika virus.
4. Spider-Typical symptoms of a spider bite are pain, swelling, and red skin at the site of the bite. Sometimes these bites can be an emergency. If your child begins to experience tightness in the chest, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or swelling in the face it is imperative for you to seek medical attention right away. Brown Recluse spiders and Black Widows are extremely dangerous. If you begin to notice extreme swelling or intense pain shortly after the bite please seek medical attention immediately.
5. Flea-These bites usually appear in groups. They are typically found around the armpits, waste band, ankles, and in the bends of the elbow or knees. This type of bite usually spread or appear to get larger over time.

Typically most bug bites will clear up on their own. In some cases they can become infected leading to more serious issues. If your child’s bug bites begin swelling or appear to spread quickly or are accompanied by a fever it is important to seek medical attention to rule out a more serious issue.

Give us a call at Whitefish Family Doctor Medical Clinic and our friendly staff will be glad to schedule an appointment for you right away.