Mosquito and Tick Bite TreatmentMosquito and Tick Bite Treatment Summer’s warmth and rain bring joy but also introduce mosquitoes and ticks that rely on blood for survival. Despite precautions, bites can occur, typically requiring minimal treatment. Mosquito Bites: * Clean with soap and water. * Apply ice for swelling and itching (10 minutes). * Use antihistamines, topical steroids, and anti-itch creams as directed. * Home remedies can provide relief. Seek medical attention if: * Redness, warmth, pain, or discomfort near the bite * Fever, swollen lymph nodes, hives, headache, worsening inflammation * Red eyes, aching joints (hands or feet) Tick Bites: * Remove with tweezers, grasping firmly near the skin. * Clean the area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. * Consult a doctor if removal is uncomfortable. Monitor the bite for 30 days for: * Fatigue, headache, muscle aches, joint pain * Swelling, fever, rash If new symptoms appear, contact a healthcare provider immediately. Most bites can be treated at home. However, if symptoms worsen or indicate infection, medical attention is necessary.
While warm temperatures and summer rain are great for your lawn, garden, and mental health, it can also bring out a new generation of mosquitoes and ticks that need to feed on blood to survive. Even with preventative measures in place, the best-laid plans can result in a bug bite that usually requires minimal treatment.
Mosquito bites:
First, disinfect the area with soap and water. Then, if necessary, apply ice for 10 minutes to relieve itching and swelling. Use over-the-counter antihistamines, topical steroids, and anti-itch creams to relieve itching by following the product instructions, or even try some effective home remedies.
“Try not to scratch mosquito bites to prevent infection,” says Dr. Jūratė Kunickaite, a family physician at Advocate Health Care. “Seek medical attention if you begin to develop signs of redness, warmth, pain, or discomfort near the mosquito bite.”
Dr. Kunickaite adds that if you experience symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, hives, headache, worsening redness or swelling, fatigue, red eyes, or aching joints, especially in the hands or feet, you should seek medical advice. Zika and West Nile viruses can cause serious or life-threatening symptoms, so if in doubt, get checked out.
Tick bites:
In most cases, a tick must be attached for 36-48 hours or longer before it can transmit the most common bacteria that cause Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) for humans. Always remove the tick with tweezers, grasping the tick firmly as close to the skin as possible with an upward, steady motion. Then make sure to clean the area with a disinfectant, such as rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
“If you don’t feel comfortable removing the tick, you can always seek medical attention,” says Dr. Michael Ross, a family physician at Advocate Health Care. “Health care providers can determine if antibiotic prophylaxis or treatment is needed based on your circumstances.”
Dr. Ross cautions to continue monitoring the tick bite for the next 30 days for signs of tick-borne illness, including fatigue, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, swelling, fever, or rash. If you experience new symptoms, contact your health care provider immediately.
While it is best to avoid mosquito and tick bites, if they do happen, know that you can treat most of them yourself with common remedies. If they get worse, your doctor can help you with the next steps in treatment.
