Bug bites are usually just a nuisance– itchy, red, and mildly annoying. But in some cases, they can lead to more than just a temporary discomfort. Certain insect bites have the potential to transmit bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can make you seriously ill. In this blog, we’ll explore which bug bites can cause sickness, the warning signs to look out for, and when you should seek medical attention.
For same-day bug bite treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Aberdeen. Our providers are available seven days a week to evaluate your symptoms and plan treatment accordingly. Just walk-in today!
Signs That You’ve Been Bitten By A Bug
- Red skin bumps
- Rashes
- Chills
- Fever
- Sharp pain
- Hives
- Itchiness
- Rashes
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Nausea
Can Bug Bites Make You Sick?
1. Tick Bites
Ticks never dig into the skin normally, but can cause diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever in some cases. It is difficult to feel tick bites as ticks inject some saliva into the skin, that puts the skin into numbness. But you will notice the spread of rashes on the skin and a little red bump on the skin. Some of the symptoms of tick bites include chills, fever, muscle aches, swollen glands, and fatigue.
2. Mosquito Bites
They normally leave small, red, itchy bumps on the skin, but they can also leave more than that. They can leave behind the malaria parasite or yellow fever. The bite from a mosquito will not be painful, but the deposited saliva will provoke an allergic reaction that will develop into an itch, which will slowly grow bigger. Illnesses caused by mosquito bites cause headaches, fever, nausea, vomiting, and sneezing.
3. Spider Bites
Most spider bites are harmless to human skin and, worst case, leave red bumps on your skin. Yet, in some cases, the bite is deadly, leading to serious issues and even death. You’ll notice if you’ve been bitten when the spot starts to swell and seriously ache. These kinds of spider bites usually cause the following: swelling of the affected area, muscle spasms, difficulty breathing, stomach pains, and fever.
4. Bed Bug Bites
Bed bugs are a nuisance because they are difficult to detect and get rid of. You, therefore, could have already been bitten without noticing at all. Bed bugs may not transmit disease, “but they can make the affected individual miserable enough to weaken his immune system sufficiently to cause that individual to get sick”. Seeing blood spots or black dots on the sides of the body, or constant fatigue or itching while in bed, can mean a bed bug problem.
Preventative Steps You Can Take To Prevent Bug Bites
- Wear long sleeves to cover your skin whenever traveling to areas infested with bugs like forests and swamps.
- Empty any water that may be standing, as they are breeding areas for insects.
- Make use of bug spray and apply bug repellent creams.
- Wash your clothes and beddings regularly.
- Check your kids, pets, and clothing for bugs like ticks.
- Make use of bed nets if you're staying in a bug-prone area.
Treating Bug Bites: Tips To Follow
Follow these tips if you want to treat your bug bite:
- Be careful when trying to kill the bug; don’t swat it on your skin, as it can make the situation worse.
- Apply anti-itch lotions.
- Take care not to scratch the itch or bumps on your skin as those colds lead to breakout of the skin, discharging pus and blood.
Treating the bite most times is enough to prevent you from getting ill, hence why you need to follow preventive procedures and visit an urgent care center as soon as serious symptoms like headaches, fever, and muscle spasms start to show after a bug bite.
Get Walk-In Bug Bite & Rash Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Aberdeen
While most big bites are harmless and heal on their own, some can lead to infections or transmit diseases like Lyme or other tick and mosquito-borne illnesses. Knowing the symptoms of a potentially serious reaction– such as fever, rash, joint pain, or swelling– is key to catching problems early. If you’re feeling unwell after a bite or notice signs of infection, don’t wait. Visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Aberdeen for a proper evaluation and treatment. No appointments are necessary to be seen by one of our providers– just walk-in any day of the week during operating hours! We accept most health insurance plans and offer low-cost options for self-paying patients. If you have any additional questions about the services we provide, please contact us directly at (732) 583-5100.
