Insect stings and bites

Overview

The stings of bees, wasps and hornets are poisonous, while mosquito bites are more of a nuisance than a threat. Allergy to an insect’s poison and stings to the neck or lips and in the mouth is dangerous. Some insect stings can transmit diseases.

Symptoms

Main symptoms

• Skin redness
• Swelling
• Itching, burning
• Pain

Other symptoms

• Allergy to the insect's poison (can be life-threatening)
• Infectious disease transmitted by insect bites (e.g. malaria)
  

Causes and treatment

Causes

• Mosquitoes
• Wasps, bees
• Hornets
• Bumblebees

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Draw a circle around the red /swollen area
  • This makes it easier to see if it’s growing bigger

Possible therapies

• Remove the sting (bee sting)
• Antihistamine medication for strong skin reaction (redness, swelling)
• Rarely, adrenaline for severe allergic reaction
  

What can I do myself?

• Carefully cool the sting or bite
• Persons who know that they are allergic to insect poison should always have emergency medication on hand
• Use insect repellent lotion or spray
• Insect screens for windows, mosquito nets for beds
  

When to see a doctor?

• Bee, wasp or hornet stings to the neck or lips and in the mouth
• Allergic reaction
• Severe swelling around the sting, in the face or neck
• Skin redness over whole body
• Fever
• Problems with breathing or circulation (heart palpitations, dizziness, feeling of weakness)