Insect Bites and Stings

Bug bites and stings from mosquitoes, bees, wasps, hornets, and spiders usually cause itching, redness, and swelling that fade within a few days. A few cause infection or a serious allergic reaction. Knowing the warning signs matters most.

What Is It

Bites and stings peak in northern Illinois from late spring through early fall, when yellow jackets are most active. Bee stings may leave a stinger behind, while wasps can sting more than once. Most spider bites in this area are harmless. Some people have a large local reaction, with swelling that spreads several inches for a few days.

Symptoms

Itchy red bumps
Sharp pain or burning at a sting
Swelling and redness around the bite
A stinger left in the skin
Large swelling that spreads over 1 to 2 days
Hives or swelling away from the sting, which signals an allergy

Not sure if a bite is infected? Redness that keeps spreading, warmth, and pain after day 2 may be cellulitis. Welts on other parts of the body after a sting may be hives, an allergic reaction.

Treatment

At your visit: A provider checks bites and stings for infection and allergic reaction. Care may include treating swelling and itching and removing a stinger left in the skin. People at risk may need an epinephrine auto injector.

At home:

Scrape a stinger out sideways with a card or fingernail
Wash the area with soap and water
Apply a cold pack for 10 to 15 minutes to ease swelling
Use hydrocortisone cream or an antihistamine for itch

Most bites and stings heal within a few days. Large local reactions can take a week to settle.

When to Get Care for Bites and Stings

Watch at Home

An itchy bump that is not spreading
Swelling that eases with ice
A sting with pain only at the site

Come to Urgent Care Today

Redness, warmth, or pus spreading from a bite
Swelling of a whole hand, arm, or leg after a sting
A stinger you cannot remove
A sting in the mouth or near the eye
A past allergic reaction to stings and no epinephrine at home

Go to the Emergency Department

Trouble breathing, throat tightness, or swelling of the lips or tongue
Dizziness, fainting, or vomiting after a sting
Hives spreading across the body after a sting
Many stings at once, or severe pain, cramping, or sweating after a spider bite

FAQ

How do I know if a bug bite is serious?

A bug bite is serious when redness keeps spreading, it becomes warm or drains pus, or you develop fever. Trouble breathing or throat swelling after a sting needs 911.

How do you treat a bee sting?

Treat a bee sting by scraping the stinger out sideways, washing the area, and applying ice. An antihistamine and hydrocortisone cream help with itching and swelling.

What does an infected bug bite look like?

An infected bug bite gets more red, swollen, warm, and painful after 1 to 2 days, instead of better. It may drain pus or have red streaks spreading from it.

Why is my bug bite so swollen?

Large swelling after a bite or sting is usually a local allergic reaction, not infection. It often peaks in 1 to 2 days and fades within a week.

Can urgent care treat bug bites and stings?

Yes, urgent care can treat bug bites and stings. At Vitality Urgent Care, a provider can check for infection or allergic reaction. No appointment or referral is needed.

When is a bee sting an emergency?

A bee sting is an emergency when you have trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness, or hives across the body. Use an epinephrine pen if you have one and call 911.

Last reviewed October 2026