Be Our Partner! Book a Free Consultation Now! Become a Member > Get Involved >
Health Conditions > Health Articles > Find a Practitioner > Events >

Home  /  Health Conditions  /  Insect Bites & Stings

Insect Bites & Stings

Most bites and stings cause a small, itchy or painful bump that settles in a few days. A few need more: a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after a sting is an emergency, bites can get infected, and some ticks and mosquitoes spread diseases such as Lyme disease and West Nile virus.

Call 911 — this may be anaphylaxis — if, after a sting or bite, you or someone else has any of these: trouble breathing or wheezing; swelling of the lips, tongue or throat; a tight throat or trouble swallowing; dizziness, fainting or sudden confusion; hives spreading over large areas of the body; or skin, lips or tongue turning blue, gray or pale (NHS, AAAAI, MedlinePlus).

Get medical help the same day — urgent care, your doctor or the ER — if:

No herbal remedy, acupuncture or other complementary approach can treat anaphylaxis or venom poisoning.

Bites and stings: usually minor

Most insect bites and stings are not serious and get better within a few days (NHS). Bee, wasp and hornet stings and fire ant stings usually hurt, while mosquito and flea bites usually itch (MedlinePlus). The usual signs are pain and a small, swollen lump that may look red — on brown or black skin the redness can be harder to see, but you can still feel the lump (NHS). A few become infected, trigger a serious allergic reaction, or pass on an illness such as Lyme disease (NHS). Ticks are relatives of spiders and chiggers are young mites, not insects (MedlinePlus, NYC Health), but their bites, like spider bites, are covered here.

Three kinds of reaction

  • A local reaction is the normal response: pain, redness and swelling where you were stung (AAAAI). With mosquito bites, the body is reacting to the mosquito’s saliva, which causes the itchy bump (CDC).
  • A large local reaction is swelling more than about 10 cm (4 inches) across that lasts longer than a day. In one study of 310 people with large local reactions to bee or wasp stings, the swelling lasted about a week on average, and about one in five had swelling more than 20 cm (8 inches) across (Tripolt et al., 2020). The risk of a whole-body reaction to a later sting is generally considered low in these people (Tripolt et al., 2020). Big mosquito-bite reactions are more common in children (CDC).
  • An allergic (systemic) reaction affects more than one part of the body: hives spreading over large areas, swelling of the face, throat or tongue, trouble breathing, dizziness, stomach cramps, nausea or diarrhea. The most severe form is anaphylaxis, which can be fatal (AAAAI, AAAAI). See our Allergies and Hives guides.

Rarely, serum sickness appears hours or days after a sting, with fever, joint pain and flu-like symptoms (AAAAI).

When a bite gets infected

Scratching a bite can let it get infected (NHS, CDC). Bacteria that get in through a bite can cause cellulitis, which can become serious if not treated quickly (NHS, CDC) — see the warning signs above and our Cellulitis guide. Two things are easily mistaken for an infected bite:

  • Fire ant blisters fill with a cloudy white material within about a day. They look like pus but are sterile and heal fastest if left alone (AAAAI).
  • “Spider bites” that are really MRSA. Some MRSA skin infections are mistaken for spider bites; unless you actually saw the spider, the sore is likely not a spider bite (CDC).

Side by side

Six approaches compared

For every condition we look at the same six approaches: what each involves, what it typically costs, and what a patient can realistically expect.

ApproachWhat it involves Estimated costWhat to expect
Conventional medicine (AMA) First aid (remove the stinger or tick, wash, cold pack, raise the limb), over-the-counter antihistamines and hydrocortisone cream for itching, antibiotics for infected bites, epinephrine auto-injectors and allergist care with venom immunotherapy for people at risk of anaphylaxis, antivenom for rare severe black widow bites, tetanus shots, and prompt testing and treatment for tick-borne illness. Cost estimate being researched. Most bites and stings settle within a few days. Large local reactions can last about a week. Venom immunotherapy greatly lowers the chance of another allergic reaction to a sting, but it carries a small risk of reactions to the treatment itself.
Chiropractic No role. Bites and stings are skin, allergy and infection problems, not spine or joint problems. We found no research on chiropractic care for bites or stings. Not a treatment for bites or stings, so no cost is listed. Get medical care for the warning signs at the top of this page.
Acupuncture No role. We found no controlled trials of acupuncture for bites or stings. Bee venom acupuncture is a particular risk for anyone allergic to stings. Not a treatment for bites or stings, so no cost is listed. Never have needles in or near a bite, sting or infected skin. Acupuncture can’t treat anaphylaxis.
Herbal medicine No herb treats bites or stings. Two plant-based repellent ingredients, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) and 2-undecanone, are EPA-registered and recommended by CDC; unregistered essential-oil repellents haven’t been tested for effectiveness. Calamine may ease chigger itch. Cost estimate being researched. Registered plant-based repellents can prevent bites when used as labeled; don’t use OLE or PMD on children under 3. Herbal creams may soothe but can also irritate the skin.
Massage therapy No role. Don’t rub or massage bites, stings or spider bites; scratching can increase swelling, itching and the risk of infection. Not a treatment for bites or stings, so no cost is listed. Leave bites alone to heal. Avoid bodywork over infected or swollen skin.
MBHA Wellness Coach Bite prevention habits: EPA-registered repellents, covering clothing, permethrin-treated gear, daily tick checks, emptying standing water, avoiding perfumes and sweet drinks around bees and wasps, flea control for pets, bed bug checks when traveling, and carrying epinephrine if prescribed. Cost estimate being researched. Fewer bites and a lower risk of the diseases ticks, mosquitoes and fleas can spread. Coaching supports, never replaces, medical care.

Approach 1 of 6

Conventional medicine (AMA)

Most bites and stings can be treated at home, with a pharmacist’s advice (NHS).

1. First aid for stings and bites

2. Removing a tick

Remove an attached tick right away yourself — waiting for a clinic visit can raise the risk of infection. CDC advises (CDC):

  • Grasp the tick close to the skin with clean, fine-tipped tweezers, without squeezing its body, and pull away with steady, even pressure — don’t twist or jerk. Leave mouthparts that won’t come out easily; the skin will heal.
  • Clean the bite and your hands. Never crush a tick with your fingers, and skip petroleum jelly, nail polish or heat.
  • Tick testing isn’t generally recommended. If a rash or fever appears within several weeks, see your doctor and say when and where you were bitten.

3. Anaphylaxis and epinephrine

Epinephrine (adrenaline) is the emergency treatment for anaphylaxis: use it right away and call 911 (AAAAI). People with a severe sting allergy should carry two devices, because a second dose is needed about a third of the time; epinephrine comes as an auto-injector or a nasal spray (AAAAI).

4. Seeing an allergist and venom immunotherapy

After a serious reaction to a sting, ask for a referral to an allergist/immunologist, who can test for venom allergy and plan treatment (AAAAI). Allergy shots with small, increasing amounts of venom — venom immunotherapy — can be an effective long-term treatment (AAAAI). A Cochrane review of 7 trials (392 people) found that about 3% of people treated with venom immunotherapy had a whole-body allergic reaction to a later sting, compared with about 40% of untreated people. It also reduced large local reactions and improved quality of life. The treatment itself caused whole-body reactions in about 9% of treated people in the trials, and in observational studies these were more common with bee venom than wasp venom (Cochrane review, 2012).

5. Spider bites

Most spider bites are harmless and can be treated like a bee sting: wash the area, apply ice or a wet compress, take a pain reliever if needed, and consider antihistamines for severe swelling (MedlinePlus). Don’t try to remove venom; seek medical care and, if it is safe, identify the spider (NIOSH).

  • Black widow venom is a nerve toxin. Pain at the bite spreads to the chest, belly or whole body (NIOSH); cramps usually begin within 15 minutes to several hours and can make the belly muscles rigid. Symptoms usually ease over two or three days. An FDA-approved antivenom made from horse serum treats black widow symptoms, but it can cause severe allergic reactions, so in otherwise healthy people aged 16 to 60 doctors may use muscle relaxants instead (antivenin label, DailyMed). Fear of such reactions has limited antivenom use in the U.S. (Monte, 2012).
  • Brown recluse bites may sting, with local pain and a small white blister; the venom can destroy skin, and such a wound needs medical attention (NIOSH).

6. Infected bites and tetanus

A pharmacist or doctor can treat an infected bite, with antibiotics when needed (NHS). Keep tetanus boosters up to date (every 10 years); spider bites can become infected with tetanus spores (NIOSH), and CDC advises seeing a provider about deep or dirty wounds (CDC).

7. Illness after a tick or mosquito bite

Tell your provider about the bite and where it happened (CDC). Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics; the California Department of Public Health says prompt treatment can cure the infection and prevent later complications (CDPH). There is no medicine or vaccine for West Nile virus; mild illness is managed with rest, fluids and fever relief, and severe illness may need hospital care (CDC).

Who to see, and what it costs

A pharmacist for everyday bites; urgent care or your doctor for infection, spider bites or illness after a tick bite; 911 for anaphylaxis; and an allergist after any serious sting reaction. Cost estimate being researched (epinephrine auto-injectors, allergist visits, venom immunotherapy).

Find a medical doctor in our directory

Approach 2 of 6

Chiropractic

Chiropractic care has no role in treating insect bites or stings. They are skin, allergy and infection problems, not spine or joint problems. A PubMed search we ran in October 2026 for chiropractic or spinal manipulation together with insect, tick, spider or mosquito bites or stings found no studies on the subject.

Spinal manipulation commonly causes short-lived soreness or stiffness, and rare serious problems have been reported (NCCIH). For any of the warning signs at the top of this page, get medical care.

Find a chiropractor in our directory

Approach 3 of 6

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has no established role in treating bites or stings. A PubMed search we ran in October 2026 found no controlled trials. The only bite-related records were two brief Chinese-language reports of needling and cupping for skin reactions to insect and mosquito bites (Zhao et al., 2016, Yang, 2011).

Bee venom acupuncture is a special concern. In this practice, bee venom or live bee stingers are applied at acupuncture points. Bee venom can cause anaphylaxis, and several deaths have been reported, including in people who had tolerated the treatment before (Cherniack and Govorushko, 2018). Anyone with a sting allergy should avoid it.

Never have needles in or near a bite, sting or infected skin. Improper acupuncture can itself cause infections (NCCIH).

Find an acupuncturist in our directory

Approach 4 of 6

Herbal medicine

We found no herb shown to treat insect bites or stings, and no herbal product can treat anaphylaxis. Where plants do help is in preventing bites.

Plant-based repellents that are EPA-registered

CDC recommends EPA-registered repellents, and two of its listed active ingredients are plant-derived: oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) and 2-undecanone. PMD (para-menthane-diol) is also on the list. An EPA registration number on the label means the maker gave EPA data on effectiveness; used as directed, these products are considered safe and effective, even in pregnancy and breastfeeding (CDC, CDC).

Essential oils that aren’t registered

Some repellents made from ingredients such as citronella, cedar, geranium, peppermint or soybean oil don’t need EPA registration because they pose minimal risk — but they have not been evaluated for effectiveness (EPA). CDC says the effectiveness of non-registered repellents, including some natural ones, is unknown (CDC). Where ticks or mosquitoes may carry disease, choose a registered product.

Soothing the itch

  • Calamine: ointments containing calamine, hydrocortisone or benzocaine may briefly relieve itching from chigger bites (Army Public Health Center).
  • Aloe vera: topical aloe has been studied for burns, acne and psoriasis, but NCCIH doesn’t list insect bites among the uses with research. Topical aloe is usually well tolerated, though it occasionally causes burning, itching or rash (NCCIH).

Approach 5 of 6

Massage therapy

Massage therapy has no role in treating bites or stings. Scratching can increase swelling, itching and the risk of infection (NIOSH, NHS), and rubbing or kneading a bite is no kinder to the skin. Fire ant blisters heal fastest when left alone (AAAAI). With a black widow bite, treating the bite site itself does no good (antivenin label, DailyMed).

Avoid bodywork over bites that are swollen, blistered or infected, and don’t use massage to put off seeing a health care provider (NCCIH). If you have a sting allergy, keep your epinephrine with you wherever you get bodywork, including outdoors.

Find a massage therapist in our directory

Approach 6 of 6

MBHA Wellness Coach

The best way to avoid trouble from bites is not to get bitten. An MBHA Wellness Coach can help you build simple habits for your home, yard, work and travel.

Use repellent the right way

Dress for it

Make tick checks a habit

Cut down mosquitoes at home

Once a week, empty, scrub, cover or throw out anything that holds water, such as buckets, birdbaths and flowerpot saucers, and keep screens repaired (CDC).

Stay clear of bees, wasps and fire ants

  • Avoid perfume, cologne and scented soaps, shampoos and deodorants, and wear light-colored, smooth-finished clothing (NIOSH). AAAAI also advises against brightly colored clothing (AAAAI).
  • Cover food and sweet drinks outdoors, wear closed-toe shoes, and have nests near your home removed by a trained exterminator (AAAAI).
  • If one insect is buzzing near you, stay calm and still; swatting may provoke a sting. If many attack, run, ideally indoors or into shade, and don’t jump into water (NIOSH).

Carry your emergency plan

If you’ve had a severe reaction, carry two epinephrine devices, check expiry dates, and consider a medical ID bracelet or necklace (AAAAI, NIOSH). Practice with a trainer device and teach family, friends and coworkers how and when to use yours (NHS).

Pets, fleas and bed bugs

  • Keep pets flea-free with year-round flea control from your veterinarian, and vacuum often (CDC).
  • When traveling, check the mattress and headboard, keep luggage on the rack and away from the bed, and on returning home unpack straight into the washer; a hot dryer kills bed bugs, while washing alone generally doesn’t (EPA).

A coach supports, but never replaces, medical care. For any warning sign at the top of this page, get help right away.

Another approach

Bite by bite: the usual suspects

If you’re not sure a rash is a bite, have it checked; our Skin Problems guide is being written.

Another approach

Diseases spread by bites

West Nile virus

West Nile is the leading mosquito-borne disease in the continental U.S., and every state in the lower 48 has reported cases. People are infected during mosquito season, typically June through October (CDC). About 80% of infected people have no symptoms, about 20% get a flu-like illness, and fewer than 1% develop severe illness affecting the brain or spinal cord (CDC). The risk of severe illness rises with age and with conditions such as diabetes or a weakened immune system (CDC, MedlinePlus).

Lyme disease

Early Lyme disease, 3 to 30 days after a tick bite, can cause fever, chills, headache, tiredness, aches and an expanding rash (erythema migrans) in about 70% to 80% of people — not always a “bull’s-eye” (CDC). On darker skin the rash can look more like a bruise (CDPH). Untreated, it can later affect the joints, nerves and heart (CDC). Our Lyme Disease guide is being written.

Other tick-borne diseases

U.S. ticks can also spread anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, Powassan virus and others, and growing evidence suggests lone star tick bites can trigger alpha-gal syndrome, a red-meat allergy. Many of these cause fever, aches and sometimes a rash (CDC, CDC). Rarely, an attached tick causes tick paralysis, rising weakness that usually improves within 24 hours of removing the tick (CDC).

Flea-borne diseases

Fleas can spread murine typhus, plague and cat scratch disease. Most U.S. murine typhus cases are reported from California, Texas and Hawaii, and most U.S. plague cases occur in rural parts of the West (CDC).

Ticks on the Central Coast

  • The western blacklegged tick lives along the Pacific coast, especially in Northern California, and can carry Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and hard tick relapsing fever (CDC). CDPH lists the San Francisco Bay Area and the Central Coast among the California areas where people are more likely to get Lyme disease (CDPH).
  • An infected western blacklegged tick must feed for at least 24 hours to pass on Lyme disease, so prompt removal helps. Poppy-seed-sized nymphs are most active in spring and early summer, in leaf litter in oak woodlands (CDPH).
  • Ticks can be found in California year-round. Diseases spread by ticks in the state also include anaplasmosis and spotted fevers, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Pacific Coast tick fever (CDPH, CDPH).

Member stories

Living with Insect Bites & Stings? Share your experience

Real experiences help others choose. Tell us what you tried — conventional medicine, chiropractic, acupuncture, herbs, massage or coaching — what it cost and what changed.

No stories have been published for this condition yet. Yours could be the first.

Which approaches have you tried?

What did you try, what did it cost, and what changed for you? Please leave out anything you’d rather keep private.

We read every story before it’s published and may shorten it. Stories describe one person’s experience; results vary. See our Privacy Policy.

Sources

This page is for education only and is not medical advice. Costs are typical U.S. ranges and estimates; yours will depend on your provider, location and insurance. Talk with your doctor before starting, stopping or combining any treatment. In an emergency, call 911. See our disclaimer.

Find the right practitioner

Search MBHA’s Health Directory for doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists and massage therapists across the Monterey Bay.

Search the Directory All Health Conditions

The Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance is a charitable, independent registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and does not endorse any particular products or practices. Claims and statements herein are for informational purposes only and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. We strongly recommend that you seek out your trusted medical doctor or practitioner for diagnosis and treatment of any existing health condition. MBHA provides administrative support, education and navigation — not medical, legal or tax advice — and cannot guarantee claim, billing or fundraising outcomes. MBHA is not an emergency service: in an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.