Bites & stings treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Yes, a physician on Maple would be happy to discuss bites and stings with you.

If you know the direct cause of your bites and stings, it's good to relay that information during the evaluation. In some cases, if the insect or arachnid dies after biting you, it can be a good idea to keep it to show the physician.

Doing this can allow for more accurate diagnosis for your bites and stings, as well as determine effective treatments for bites and stings.

Yes, our physicians can prescribe medications for bites and stings online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription for your bites and stings, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or to have it delivered right to your door at no additional cost.

You can visit our How it works page to learn more.

Most insects and arachnids avoid humans. However, in cases where we cross paths or accidentally encroach on their territories, these creatures will defend themselves. This typically involves either bites or stings, depending on the insect or arachnid involved.

There are also some varieties of insects and arachnids that will intentionally sting or bite humans, if we're exposed to them.

Some common causes of bites and stings include:

• Mosquitos
• Fire ants
• Fleas
• Mites
• Bed bugs
• Flies (and horseflies)
• Lice
• Ticks
• Spiders (in many ranges of severity)
• Scorpions
• Chiggers (or red bugs)
• Bees
• Wasps
• Yellow jackets

Symptoms and signs of bites and stings will vary widely, depending on the cause. Some are mild and will pass on their own, while others can be life-threatening. It's important to understand the telltale symptoms and signs of bites and stings that are dangerous and require medical attention, so you can seek medical attention.

You may or may not notice the creature until it bites or stings you, or until certain symptoms begin to appear, such as:

• Itching
• Redness
• Swelling
• Rashes
• Warmth around the affected area
• Tingling or numbness on or near the affected area
• Muscle pain
• Pain in the affected area

These symptoms may be mild, but if they become severe or chronic, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor about them.

You should also seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following symptoms after a bite or sting:

• Fever
• Swelling of the lips, throat, mouth, or tongue
• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Muscle spasms
• Difficulty breathing
• Increased or rapid heart rate
• Fainting
• Severe pain
• Pus-filled lumps at the affected area
• Spreading redness or track lines from the affected area

Some bites and stings cause symptoms that are easier to identify than others, like lice or bed bugs. Others leave behind traces like stingers, which can help the doctor diagnose bites and stings.

However, some can be more difficult to identify. If the insect or arachnid that bit or stung you dies after your encounter, collect it to bring to the doctor. This can help properly diagnose bites and stings.

Remember, you should never provoke an insect or arachnid. Identify them only if you can do so without instigating another potential attack.

You can provide treatment for most bites and stings at home.

Washing the affected area, and then applying an ice pack to reduce swelling and pain, are effective home treatments for many bites and stings. You can also apply a paste made of water and baking soda to the affected area, to reduce itchiness.

In some cases, the doctor may suggest prescription bites and stings medications, such as antihistamines, topical anti-itch creams, or oral pain relievers to relieve symptoms.

If you've experienced bee stings, remove the stinger if it's still lodged in the skin.

However, if you believe you could have a tick lodged in your skin, don't try to remove it at home. Visit a medical clinic immediately, and a professional will help to safely remove the tick.

Treatments for spider bites and stings can vary depending on the type of spider involved. If you believe you could have been bitten by a black widow or brown recluse spider, you should seek immediate medical attention. This is true even if you aren't showing symptoms yet.

In order to treat some bites and stings, you will also have to address insect infestations as part of the treatment. For example, lice, mites, or bed bugs will need to be exterminated from living areas in order to prevent future attacks.

All scorpion stings should be treated in an emergency room.

If your bites and stings symptoms are chronic or severe, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor. You may require medical treatment or guidance in order to eliminate your symptoms and protect your health.

Also, if you believe you've been attacked by a dangerous insect or arachnid, you should seek medical attention, even if you aren't showing bite and sting symptoms. The effects from these attacks can sometimes take a while to appear, but when they do, they have the potential to be life-threatening.

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