Bug Bites:
No Appointment Necessary

Aired on Superstation WGN
Saturday, June 4 and September 24, 2005
Show 215

Dr. Lisa Thornton:

I just love the summertime—picnics, hikes in the woods, camping. Lots of outdoor activities and lots of opportunities to get bitten by a bug. So what can you do to protect yourself? Let's find out.

Steven T. Jones, PharmD:

Those nasty bug bites and poison ivy can be irritating to everyone. The best way to prevent the most common bug bites is to use an insect repellent with the ingredient Deet. Most repellents available at drug stores have an excellent safety record and, if used properly, are very effective. The best way to treat an insect bite is to scrape or brush off the stinger with a straight edge like a credit card. Don't try to remove the stinger with tweezers. Apply ice or cold pack to reduce the swelling and use a disinfectant to clean the area. You can also apply a hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, or baking soda until the swelling and itching stop. Antihistamines can also help. Prevention is the best medicine with poison ivy. Know what it looks like and where it is found in your area. To treat poison ivy, use over the counter medications like hydrocortisone creams, calamine lotions, or methanol creams. Antihistamines are good along with soaking in the tub with products like oatmeal baths, or you could use cold compresses. If you or your child is having a severe reaction to any bug bite or poison ivy, such as excess redness or blisters, seek immediate medical attention.