How to Treat Infected Insect Bites at Home

Co-authored by Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: December 15, 2022 References

Bug bites are annoying—the itching, swelling, and discomfort that comes with them can be a major irritation. But when a bug bite gets infected, it can be more than just an annoyance. All infections need to be treated with antibiotics, so you should visit your doctor right away if you think your bite is infected. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do at home to lessen your symptoms and keep your infected bug bite clean.

1

Visit your doctor to get antibiotics.

The only way to get rid of an infection is with antibiotics. Unfortunately, most infections won’t go away on their own, and you’ll need medicine to heal it fully. As soon as you realize your bite is infected, head to the doctor to get a prescription for oral or topical antibiotics.^{[1]
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- Signs of an infection include swelling, redness, fever, nausea, chills, cold sweats, and pus or drainage.
- Your bite might also be infected if your lymph nodes are swollen, the area feels warm to the touch, or there’s a redness that streaks beyond the initial bite.

2

Clean the bite with soap and water.

It will cleanse your bite of any bacteria or germs. Head over to the sink or shower and rinse your bite with plain water, then lather on some antibacterial soap. Rinse the area thoroughly with water again, then pat it dry gently with a clean towel.^{[2]
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- Try not to rub or tug at your skin, since that can make your swelling and irritation worse. Be gentle so you don’t hurt your skin or the infected area even more.

3

Apply hydrocortisone cream.

It can help stop swelling, itching, and irritation. Make sure your insect bite is completely clean and dry, then smooth on some over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. You can reapply this cream every 4 hours until your symptoms stop or your bite heals.^{[3]
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- You can also try a topical antihistamine to stop pain and itching.
- If your skin is broken, apply hydrocortisone cream around the area, but not directly on top of the broken skin.^{[4]
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4

Take an oral antihistamine.

Benadryl and ibuprofen can help stop swelling and reduce inflammation. Plus, they can help take away some of the pain and discomfort from an infected bite. If topical creams aren’t quite cutting it, pick up a bottle of oral antihistamines from the drug store, and follow the dosage instructions on the back of the bottle. Usually, you can take a few capsules every 4 to 6 hours, but it varies depending on the type of medicine.
- Try not to mix oral antihistamine types, since they sometimes have different dosage recommendations.^{[5]
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- If you’ve already used a hydrocortisone cream, it’s still safe to take an oral antihistamine.

5

Soothe your skin with calamine lotion.

If your bite is really itchy, you might need some extra relief. Head to the drug store and pick up a bottle of calamine lotion, a calming lotion made of mostly zinc and iron oxide. Spread a thin layer of this all over your insect bite to reduce itching and calm any irritation. If you’ve already put on hydrocortisone cream, that’s fine—just add your calamine lotion on top.^{[6]
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- Reapply your calamine lotion every 4 hours to reduce itching and irritation.
- If your skin is broken or the wound is open, don’t apply calamine lotion directly on top of it.^{[7]
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- You can even apply an aromatherapy blend for a soothing effect. Mix 2 drops peppermint oil, 3 drops frankincense oil, 5-drops lavender oil, in 1-ounce almond or coconut oil, and put it on the affected area.^{[8]
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  Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
  Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor
  Expert Interview. 13 April 2020.}

6

Cover the bite with a bandage.

It’s important to keep the infection free from any new bacteria. Once your bite is washed and dried, grab a bandage and place it carefully over the area. Make sure you change your bandage once a day, or more often if it gets dirty or wet. Leaving a dirty bandage on your infected bite can make it worse, so it’s important to change it out regularly.^{[9]
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- You can also use a self-adhering bandage or a medical wrap.

7

Use an ice pack to reduce swelling and inflammation.

Infections usually get swollen, which can be really uncomfortable. If your infected bite is swollen or warm to the touch, grab a few ice cubes and put them into a plastic bag. Wrap the bag in a towel, then press it against your swollen bite for some cooling, soothing relief. It will also help reduce itching.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor
Expert Interview. 13 April 2020.}
- This is a great alternative if you don’t have calamine lotion. Or, you can combine using an ice pack with applying calamine lotion for extra soothing.

8

Elevate the bite to reduce inflammation.

Try to keep your bite above your heart. This will reduce blood flow to the area and can help reduce swelling and inflammation. Prop the affected area up on a chair or a pillow to keep it upright as much as possible. You can pair this method with using an ice pack to cut down on the discomfort that comes with swelling.^{[11]
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- If you can’t elevate your bug bite, it’s okay. This is an optional step that can be helpful, but it’s not totally necessary.

9

Avoid scratching.

While this is true for all bug bites, it’s especially true for infections. Although it might be tough, try as hard as you can not to scratch or itch the area, since that can make your bite a lot worse.^{[12]
X
Expert Source

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor
Expert Interview. 13 April 2020.} Your fingernails can introduce a lot of bacteria to your skin, which is the opposite of what you want when healing an infection. Try cutting your nails short so you aren’t tempted to scratch at your infected bite.^{[13]
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- Plus, scratching can cause minor rips and tears in your skin, leading to more pain and swelling.

10

Don't use vinegar or baking soda.

These home remedies are sometimes recommended for bug bites. However, experts warn that they’re not likely to do much, and using harsh products like these can actually cause more irritation. Stick to using medicinal creams and lotions to reduce itching and swelling, and go to the doctor if you’re having complications.^{[14]
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11

Call emergency services if you have severe symptoms.

This includes wheezing, difficulty breathing, confusion, or agitation. Symptoms like these can point to a severe infection, which can be life-threatening. You should also call emergency services if you’re experiencing dizziness, difficulty swallowing, or a fast heart rate because of your infection.^{[15]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How can I prepare an aromatherapy blend to soothe the affected area?

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor
Dr. Andrea Rudominer is a board certified Pediatrician and Integrative Medicine Doctor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Rudominer has over 15 years of medical care experience and specializes in preventive health care, obesity, adolescent care, ADHD, and culturally competent care. Dr. Rudominer received her MD from the University of California, Davis, and completed a residency at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. Dr. Rudominer also has an MPH in Maternal Child Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Member of the American Board of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Member and Delegate of the California Medical Association, and a Member of the Santa Clara County Medical Association.

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH

Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor

Expert Answer

Mix 2 drops peppermint oil, 3 drops frankincense oil, 5 drops lavender oil, in 1 ounce almond or coconut oil, and put it on the affected area.
Question

What are the things that can make an insect bite worse?

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor
Dr. Andrea Rudominer is a board certified Pediatrician and Integrative Medicine Doctor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Rudominer has over 15 years of medical care experience and specializes in preventive health care, obesity, adolescent care, ADHD, and culturally competent care. Dr. Rudominer received her MD from the University of California, Davis, and completed a residency at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. Dr. Rudominer also has an MPH in Maternal Child Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Member of the American Board of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Member and Delegate of the California Medical Association, and a Member of the Santa Clara County Medical Association.

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH

Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor

Expert Answer

Taking a hot shower can make the insect bite worse. The heat releases histamines. It can make the insect bite itchier. Do not scratch the affected area. Scratching can lead to infection.

Warnings

Infections can be life-threatening, and they usually don’t go away on their own. If you think your bug bite is infected, make an appointment with your doctor.^{[16]
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