Insect bites and stings

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Bedbug - close-up	Black widow spider	Black widow spider	Body louse
Body louse, female and larvae	Brown recluse spider	Brown recluse spider bite on the hand	Crab louse, female
Dust mite	Flea	Flea bite - close-up	Fly
Head louse, male	Head louse and pubic louse	Head louse - female	Head louse infestation - scalp
Insect bite reaction - close-up	Insect bites and stings	Insect bites on the legs	Insect stings and allergy
Kissing bug	Lice, body with stool (Pediculus humanus)	Mosquito, adult feeding on the skin	Pubic louse-male
Stinger removal	Wasp

Bedbug bite; Bee sting; Bites - insects, bees, and spiders; Black widow spider bite; Brown recluse bite; Flea bite; Honey bee or hornet sting; Lice bites; Mite bite; Scorpion bite; Spider bite; Wasp sting; Yellow jacket sting

• Avoid provoking insects whenever possible.
• Avoid rapid, jerky movements around insect hives or nests.
• Avoid perfumes and floral-patterned or dark clothing.
• Use appropriate insect repellants and protective clothing.
• Use caution when eating outdoors, especially with sweetened beverages or in areas around garbage cans, which often attract bees.
• For those who have a serious allergy to insect bites or stings, carry an emergency epinephrine kit (which requires a prescription). Friends and family should be taught how to use it if you have a reaction. Wear a medical ID bracelet.

Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd Ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2004:1617-1619, 2126-2128.

Noble J, ed. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd Ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001:805-813.

Auerbach PS. Wilderness Medicine. 4th Ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001.

Review Date: 05/11/2006
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.