|  |
 | Are there any over-the-counter therapies for insect bites? |
|  Biting insects include mosquitoes, fleas, and bedbugs. Arachnids, such as ticks and spiders, can also deliver painful bites. Seek medical attention for a bite from a poisonous spider, if you develop a bull's-eye shaped rash after a tick bite, or if you notice signs of infection such as fever, increasing redness, swelling, or pus. Very few people are allergic to insect bites. Get immediate medical care if you have an allergic reaction and experience difficulty breathing, fainting, or extreme itching and swelling after an insect bite.If you get an insect bite, gently wash the area with soap and water. Insect bites are usually a minor nuisance that heal without treatment in a few days. But bites sometimes cause extreme itching and discomfort. Scratching or rubbing the bite can cause even more redness and irritation and can lead to infection or delayed healing.Anti-itch creams and ointments like hydrocortisone (Cortaid), calamine (Caladryl), and diphenydramine cream (Benadryl cream) may also help reduce itching and discomfort. Apply them up to three or four times a day as needed.Oral antihistamines such as diphenydramine (brand name Benadryl) can help control itching and swelling from insect bites. Antihistamines can cause significant drowsiness, so use caution when driving or operating machinery.To prevent insect bites: Wear long pants, long-sleeved tucked-in shirts, socks, and a hat when possible. Avoid mosquitoes by staying indoors in the morning and evening when the weather is warm. That's when they are most active. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, apply an over-the-counter insect repellent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Environmental Protection Agency both recommend that people apply insect repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) and Picaridin (KBR 3023). When traveling in malaria-prone countries, you can treat clothing and bedding with permethrin (Repel) to prevent bites from infected mosquitoes. Never apply permethrin directly to skin.Use insect repellents only when outdoors and wash them off after coming indoors. Avoid getting these products in your eyes, nose, mouth, or open wounds. Follow product instructions carefully. Sources:Balch JF, Balch PA. Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Avery Publishing Group, 1997.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site, http://www.cdc.gov/. Last accessed 11/9/2006.Drug Facts and Comparisons, Facts & Comparisons, 2006.Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. American Pharmaceutical Association, 2000.Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.Professional Guide to Conditions, Herbs, and Supplements. Integrative Medicine, 2000.Silverman, H.M., Romano, J., Elmer, G. The Vitamin Book. Bantam, 1999.This answer prepared 6/11/2001. This answer updated 11/9/2006/30/2007. |
| drug interaction
checker
Is it safe to combine
your medicines?
Find out. |
|
| |
