Swat Out the Ouch

SUNDAY, July 23 (HealthDay News) -- Despite their small size, insects and their bites can be very dangerous, spurring harmful allergies and infections.

The Baylor Health Care System (BMC) has some tips to help keep families safe from summer bugs:

• Any bug bite that has swollen to the size of a half-dollar or larger within two hours needs medical attention.
• A rapidly swelling bug bite that displays red streaks, or it is hot to the touch, may point to infection.
• Many children experience allergic anaphylaxis, including swelling of the lips and throat, that can restrict breathing. If this occurs, call 911 or go to the emergency room.
• Many insects, like mosquitoes, are more active during twilight hours, so try to avoid being outdoors then.

And don''t scratch. "In our day and age, with more serious strains of methicillin-resistant staph (a bacteria resistant to many antibiotics), these infections can become serious quickly," said Dr. Robert Kotas, a BMC pediatrician in Garland, Texas.

Kotas recommends contacting a pediatrician if you are unsure about where a child''s bite came from.

In an effort to prevent bug bites, BMC recommends the use of insect repellent that contains DEET, an insect repelling ingredient, properly adhering to the label directions. Also, wearing long pajamas to bed can prevent bug bites at night.

More information

To learn more, head to the Nemours Foundation.

--Whitney Gambrill

SOURCE: Baylor Health Care System, news release, July 2006

Last Updated: July 24, 2006