Treating Bug Bites

Summer usually means more time spent outdoors, and time outdoors often leads to mosquito bites, along with other sorts of bug bites. Here are a few helpful tips to avoid getting bit by these bugs.

Avoiding Tick Bites

• Wear light-colored long pants, so it’s easier to spot ticks.
• Tuck your pants into your socks or high-top boots or tape them to boots.
• Wear a hat and long-sleeved shirt, tucked in.
• Spray or rub insect repellent on the tops of boots, exposed area of socks, and pants openings (inside cuffs, waistband, and fly).
• Use insect repellant with DEET on your exposed skin.
• If your pets go outside, check them regularly for ticks so they don't bring them in the house.

Avoiding Mosquito Bites

• Use screens on windows and doors. Close off any small gaps or openings around screen doors or window screens.
• Stay indoors when mosquitoes are out and biting -- usually between dusk and dawn.
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing

Avoiding Spider Bites

To protect against spider bites, wear gloves, long sleeves, and long pants when working in areas where they like to hide. Watch where you put your hands and shake off clothing before you put it on or go inside.

Indoors, sweep, mop, or vacuum webs and spiders regularly. In attics, basements, and garages, place boxes off the floor and away from walls and tape them closed.  Seal off cracks and gaps where spiders may enter your home to discourage them and their prey. Clean up clutter and trim growth near the house.

Strickman advises against routinely spraying your house for spiders. Spiders are helpful, he points out -- eating flies and even fleas. It’s usually just as effective to clean out the webs and kill the spiders you see.

Using Bug Spray Safely

To use insect repellents safely, follow these 10 tips:

• Always follow the directions on the product.
• Use bug spray when you are going outside. Apply it sparingly, but be sure to cover all exposed skin. Do not spray under clothing.
• Do not spray aerosol or pump products in enclosed areas.
• Do not spray directly on your face. Spray your hands and then rub them carefully over your face, avoiding your eyes and mouth. Use sparingly around the ears.
• Avoid applying products with more than 50% DEET.
• Minimize use of insect repellents if you are pregnant and nursing.
• Never use repellents on wounds or irritated skin.
• Wash skin after coming indoors.
• If you think you have an allergic reaction to insect repellent, wash your skin and call your doctor.
• If bug spray gets into your eyes, flush them with cold water immediately.

Follow these additional tips when using insect repellents on children:

• Apply it to your hands and rub it on your child, instead of spraying.
• Don't apply repellents to parts of children's hands that are likely to have contact with eyes or mouth.
• Do not apply products with DEET to children more than once a day.
• Do not use combined repellent-sunscreen products.

For more information, visit http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/wound-care-10/bugbites?page=1