As families head outside for the summer, Lake Charles Memorial Hospital arms parents with ways to battle insects and ticks and treat the results. Insect and spider bites often cause minor swelling, redness, pain and itching that may last from a few hours to a few days. Most bites and stings will heal on their own without a visit to a doctor.
Parents can take steps at home to relieve the pain, itching and possible infection.
Spray a local anesthetic containing benzocaine on the bite to help relieve pain. Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to the skin to help relieve itching, redness and swelling. Take an antihistamine orally to help alleviate discomfort. Do not give antihistamines to children under age one unless directed by your doctor. If after an insect bite or sting your child has a severe allergic reaction , develops a large skin reaction or shows signs of a skin infection or s e ru m sickness , see your health professional.