An insect bite is often followed by a small amount of swelling along with itching and redness. Some people develop more extensive reactions at the site of the bite, with a larger area of swelling, redness, and warmth. These large reactions can appear similar to a skin infection. However, the large inflammatory response to a bite starts quickly and peaks in about half a day. If the bite is complicated by an infection, symptoms will worsen after a few days [17].