How to Avoid Insect Bites and What to Do if You Get Bitten

Summer has arrived, and for some city dwellers, that means it’s time to head out to the countryside for a well-earned vacation. But with all its pleasures, the season comes with a wealth of insects, including mosquitoes, flies, and stinging wasps and bees. Arachnids such as spiders, scorpions, mites and ticks also tend to show up in greater numbers from May through October.  

Says Dr. Melanie Dubois, a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases and an Assistant Professor in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Weill Cornell Medicine, certain summer activities can increase your risk for bug bites, including hiking, camping and visiting farms or national parks.  

However, there’s no need to limit your time outdoors. The insects and arachnids pose a threat to your health are particular to different geographical areas, so it is important to be informed about your local area, as well as where you plan to travel. You can protect yourself from getting bitten, starting with “knowing your enemy.”  

The main culprits 

For details about these diseases, the insects or arachnids that purvey them and the areas where they’re most prevalent, take a look at the following website, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  

The diseases spread by mosquitoes and ticks are tracked by local and state public health agencies, so it’s a wise move to stay on top of what’s happening before you leave home, or even if you decide to stay put this summer. 

Which mosquito-borne diseases, if any, are of concern in New York City? 

According to the New York City Department of Health, most mosquitoes in the city don’t carry disease. However, a few species may carry and spread West Nile virus.  

The majority of people infected with West Nile experience no symptoms or mild-to-moderate illness. However, people over 60 are at greater risk for more serious disease. As well, there’s growing evidence that people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk. 

Mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus tend to bite around dusk and dawn. If you’re out and about just after sunset, right before sunrise or anytime in between, for that matter, protect yourself by using insect repellent.  

Most people who become infected will get better on their own. For symptom relief, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help. 

Should New Yorkers also worry about ticks? 

Residents of New York City who are diagnosed with a tick-borne disease usually get infected when visiting grassy, wooded areas in upstate New York, Long Island and nearby states. However, several types of ticks have been found in New York City, some of which can carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. 

How to check for ticks 

Take a shower within two hours of coming indoors to wash off any ticks and make it easier to find them if they’re attached to your skin. 

How to remove a tick 

If a tick is crawling on you, remove the tick and dispose of it by putting it in alcohol in a sealed bag or container or wrapping it tightly in tape before throwing it in the trash.  

If the tick is attached to your skin, use these tips to remove it: 

Don’t 

“Some insect bites will cause a red, itchy, swollen area on the skin,” says Dr. Dubois. “While bites can be painful and annoying, most are harmless.” 

In rare cases, she adds, some people may have a serious allergic reaction to a bite, resulting in hives, vomiting, low blood pressure or difficulty breathing. Anyone experiencing such a reaction should seek immediate medical attention.  

Once you’ve had an allergic reaction to insect venom, your doctor may prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector, or EpiPen. Epinephrine is a hormone that can prevent anaphylactic shock. Keep your EpiPen with you at all times to reverse an allergic reaction from a bite or sting. 

What are the signs of infection from a bite or sting? 

Signs of infection include redness, warmth and tenderness near the site of the bite or sting. Additional signs of infection can include drainage or pus from the site. Your doctor may prescribe topical or oral antibiotics to resolve the problem. 

How are stings and bites treated when they’re mild? When they’re more serious? 

“For mild stings and bites, we generally recommend supportive care, which can include applying cold compresses and taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen if you’re in pain,” Dr. Dubois says. “When they’re more serious, we recommend seeking medical care, particularly if you believe you’re having an allergic reaction.”