With Memorial Day weekend approaching in just a few weeks, it’s time to pull out the tents and s’mores supplies! The days of camping trips, picnics, hiking through the woods, and late-night campfires are upon us. This also means peak season for pesky bug bites and bee stings.
How to Prevent and Treat Bug Bites
So, what to do when it happens? While most bug bites go away on their own, treatment can relieve pain and itching, and eliminate risk of disease. Our insect bite relief kit has everything you need to handle every mosquito bit,e or any bee sting this summer. The kit includes only what you need to save the day. Make sure to follow all written instructions on the packaging.
Cold Packs: apply to skin for initial soothing of a sting; do not apply longer than 15-20 minutes at a time.
BZK Towelettes: apply to affected skin to prevent infection; contains antibacterial to protect against risk of disease; also helpful for burns and minor cuts.
Hydrocortisone: apply small amount cream and gently rub in skin to relieve any irritation or rash; area should be left uncovered immediately after unless directed otherwise; hydrocortisone is a steroid that acts to reduce swelling and redness of a bite or sting.
Antihistamine: take tablets as directed on packaging to prevent allergy symptoms; temporarily protects against histamines which attach to cells in your body, causing swelling, itchiness, and fever.
Sting Relief Towelettes: apply wipe to affected area for fast-acting temporary itch relief
Bandages: for use if bite/sting creates open wound; protects against risk of germs and infection
Bug Spray: apply as directed to the skin; helps deter insects from biting or landing on your skin.
Know the Insects in Your Area
The best way to keep yourself safe and happy is to be prepared and knowledgeable. If you are travelling in an area with particularly dangerous insects, such as scorpions, brown recluses, black widows, etc., it is best to know beforehand how to respond to potentially life-threatening bites as quickly as possible. Also, it is good to know and prepare for allergies. For most people, a bee sting is nothing more than a painful inconvenience, but for people with anaphylaxis, it can easily be fatal. Readiness and preparation are the two most effective tools to stay safe.
- difficulty breathing
- swelling of lips, eyelids, or throat
- hives
- dizziness or confusion
- nausea, cramps, or vomiting
If you live around mosquitos, biting flies, fleas, ticks, or chiggers then you should get some bug spray. Wearing long pants and or long sleeves when possible also helps keep you from getting bit. Mosquitos and other biting insects are not able to get through clothes if they aren’t skin-tight. If you’re going to take a hike through some tall grass, tuck your pants into your socks to help prevent bugs from getting on your legs. If you are wearing shorts, give yourself a quick onceover to check for ticks, and if you notice bug bites, take a warm shower and clean yourself off with plenty of soap to get rid of any bugs that may have hitched a ride. It is also a good idea to wash any clothes you suspect of harboring a biting bug in hot water to kill them off.
