How to treat reactions to bug bites in children?
Insect bites are treated symptomatically. Hot weather will tend to increase the swelling and itching from bites. It is important to know what the insects inflicted the bites. Tick bites (you can see a tick burrowed into the skin) must be treated by a physician (in case of Lyme Disease). If a bite is extensively scratched the skin can become damaged and infected. The bites should be monitored for discharge, extensive swelling and heat a few days later with or without fever. These are all symptoms of an infection that needs to be treated medically. Horsefly bites should be washed thoroughly with soap and water to remove any debris that may be left by this particularly dirty insect. Symptomatic treatment includes oral antihistamines to treat the itching and swelling from the inside out and topical calamine lotion to treat the itching from the outside. Cool compresses from chilled Buro-Sol solutions are very soothing. Salt and water will draw out the bites as well. A paste of baking soda a
