How to Treat An Insect  Bite or Sting

Summertime means more time spent enjoying nature and the great outdoors. Unfortunately bug bites and stings can really put a damper to your day.

Aside from discomfort, bug bites can potentially lead to long-term illness from diseases like Lymes disease. These tips will help you prevent and treat bug bites.

If it's still in the skin, use tweezers to carefully remove the stinger or insect (i.e. ticks)

Clean

Wash the affected area well with soap and water.

Apply a cold compress or an ice pack for at least 10 minutes to reduce swelling.

While irritating, avoid scratching the bite to reduce the risk of infection.

Use insect repellent: Apply to exposed skin before heading outside and reapply as needed.

How To PREVENT bites & stings

If you’re spending a lot of time outside, wear pants and long-sleeved clothing to avoid skin exposure. Light colored clothing will help you more easily locate ticks.