The summer months means spending more time outside doing the things you love. But, whether it’s a backyard barbecue or a weekend by the lake, many of these seasonal outdoor activities pose a challenge: increased proximity to biting insects.
Luckily, there are effective strategies to prevent — and treat — bug bites. Victoria A. Perez, MD, a dermatologist at Columbia University/NewYork-Presbyterian’s The One health center in Westchester, New York, spoke with Everyday Health to weigh in on common bug bite questions.
Q: Why Is It Important to Prevent Bug Bites?
A: Bug bites are more than agitating and itchy. They can spread diseases, including Lyme and malaria. Vaccines can protect against some diseases transmitted by insects, but not all. That’s where your prevention strategy comes into play.
Q: How Can I Protect Myself From Bug Bites?
A: To avoid bites, Dr. Perez says to remember the three Ds: dressing, defending, and draining. Here’s what they mean:
Dressing
If you plan to be outdoors, wear protective clothing, such as loose-fitting shirts and pants, that cover as much skin as possible, says Perez. This can be tricky when it’s hot outside, so reach for breathable fabrics. Pro tip from Perez: Avoid wearing orange and red, as mosquitoes are attracted to these colors.
Defending
Choose insect repellent that contains an active ingredient on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s list of registered insect repellent ingredients. Perez suggests products that contain DEET, a chemical compound that deters bugs. According to the EPA, DEET is safe and effective and comes in lotions, sprays, and more.
Products that contain “10 to 20 percent of DEET should cover you for a few hours of summertime fun,” says Perez. “Higher concentrations mean longer coverage, not more effectiveness.” So, be sure to apply enough insect repellent for the amount of time you plan to be outside. If using a spray, Perez suggests rubbing it in with your hands to ensure even coverage.
Draining
Mosquitoes like stagnant water as much as they like chemicals humans naturally emit. To keep them at bay, Perez suggests draining any sources of still water, such as leftover drinks, and moving activities such as picnics away from water sources, if possible.
Q: Should I Apply Sunscreen or Bug Spray First?
A: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends applying sunscreen first, followed by bug spray, to maximize the effectiveness of both products.
Some research has suggested that using sunscreen and insect repellent together can reduce protection against UVB rays, which cause sunburn. So, you may want to slather on sunscreen, followed by insect repellent, more frequently.
Q: How Can I Take Care of Bug Bites and Relieve Itchiness?
A: “Make sure you first and foremost wash with soap and water,” says Perez. It’s also important to avoid scratching your bites. This is easier said than done, but it’s crucial: Scratching insect bites can make them itchier and increase your risk of abscesses and infection.
To relieve the itch, apply a cold compress or use over-the-counter hydrocortisone or a topical steroid, which is anti-inflammatory and anti-itch, she says.
“If your insect bite isn’t healing, is very large, or if you are experiencing symptoms like a fever or chills, you should receive further care from a doctor,” says Perez.
Q: Does Insect Repellent Also Work on Ticks?
A: Yes, as long as it is an EPA-registered repellent containing one of the following ingredients: DEET, picaridin (a synthetic insect repellent), IR3535 (ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate, which is another synthetic insect repellent), oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-3,8-diol (an insect repellent derived from lemon eucalyptus oil). For the best protection against ticks, use a repellent that contains at least 20 percent DEET, picaridin, or IR3535.
Q: How Can I Tell If I Got a Tick Bite?
A: Mosquito bites and tick bites can look very similar. They usually appear as small, red itchy bumps on your skin. A telltale sign of a tick bite that has transmitted Lyme disease is developing a bull’s-eye rash and experiencing symptoms such as extreme fatigue, fever, headache, muscle aches, stiff joints, or swollen lymph nodes.
It’s important to note that tick bites don’t always cause Lyme disease or a bull’s-eye rash. So be on the lookout for the other symptoms, and call your doctor if you think it’s a tick bite.
Otherwise, you can use soap and warm water, rubbing alcohol, or an iodine scrub to clean the bite and apply an ice pack if it is itchy or painful. Monitor the bite for a rash.
Q: What Should I Do If I See a Tick on My Body?
A: If you discover a tick on your body, use fine-tipped tweezers to remove it, grasping the tick as close to your skin as you can get. Don’t twist or squish the tick. Instead, pull upward, slowly and carefully. Consider taking a picture of the tick or saving it. This can be helpful to your doctor if you develop Lyme disease symptoms, which generally appear within 30 days of a tick bite. Worth noting: Not all ticks carry Lyme disease.
The Takeaway
Wearing loose-fitting shirts and pants, using an EPA-registered insect repellent, and either draining or moving away from still water can reduce your risk of bug bites.
If you get a mosquito bite, do your best not to scratch it. Instead, use a cold compress and hydrocortisone cream to manage itchiness, pain, and swelling.
If you suspect you have a tick bite, clean it with soap and warm water, rubbing alcohol, or an iodine scrub. You can then apply an ice pack if it is painful or swollen. And monitor for a bull’s-eye rash, which can indicate Lyme disease.
