Stings: When to Visit Urgent Care

You do not need medical care for most insect stings or bites. In many cases, they will heal on their own over a few hours or days. Sometimes, however, people have severe reactions to stings and bug bites, prompting a trip to urgent care or ER.

Symptoms of Stings

In most cases, a sting will cause a red and swollen lump to form on your skin. Depending on the insect, it can be painful and itchy. It can also be a set of bumps that look like a rash.

If you have a mild allergic reaction, the sting will affect more areas around the bite. The rash will spread over a larger area. It will be more swollen, painful, and red. In some cases, specific allergies, such as bees, can affect your breathing. You need to go to urgent care if you are having issues breathing and are stung.

Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction to a Sting

You may be having a severe allergic reaction and need to go to urgent care if any of the following happens:

• Dizziness or fainting
• Breathing difficulties
• Swollen mouth or tongue
• Swollen face
• Streaks going from around the bite
• Stomach pain
• Bloating
• Diarrhea or vomiting

Allergies are a concern, as are skin infections. Some insect bites and stings can also spread diseases like malaria and Lyme. If you are worried that you need to go to urgent care or the ER for a sting, keep reading.

Go to Urgent Care Immediately for the Following:

While most stings can be treated at home, visit urgent care or the ER if any of the following apply:

• Your symptoms don’t improve in a few days.
• Your symptoms worsen.
• The sting is in your throat or mouth or by your eyes.
• The red, swollen patch of skin is at least 10 centimeters.
• You have wound infection symptoms (pus and increasing swelling, redness, or pain).
• You have infection symptoms (flu-like symptoms, swollen glands, or high temperature).

Go immediately to the ER or urgent care if you notice any of the following after a sting or bite:

• Dizziness
• Feeling faint
• Loss of consciousness
• Difficulty swallowing
• Feeling sick
• Fast heart rate
• Swollen throat, mouth, or face
• Difficult breathing or wheezing
• Hives
• Vomiting or diarrhea

Treatment of Stings

You can treat the sting yourself if you don’t have an allergic reaction or other severe symptoms. Remove the stinger if it is still in your skin. Then, wash the area using soap and water. Use an ice pack or cold compress for ten minutes to reduce swelling. A baking soda poultice placed over the bite can also help soothe itching.

Avoid scratching the affected area, as this can increase the risk of infection. Keep the area elevated to reduce swelling. You may want to take antihistamines, itching creams, or painkillers if the symptoms last a few days.

Bayhealth Total Care’s Emergency and Urgent Care Center Will Assess and Treat Your Sting

At Bayhealth Total Care’s Emergency and Urgent Care Center, our primary goal is to provide the residents of Sussex County with exceptional service and the proper billing for the care they need. Our combined emergency room and urgent care in Milton is fully equipped to handle everything from allergies to chest pain 24/7 with on-site labs, x-ray, ultrasound and CT.

Every patient at our ER and urgent care walk-in clinic is seen by an ER-trained physician at every visit, regardless of the level of care they need. Our approach makes care more affordable by avoiding the higher cost of the emergency room if patients only require urgent care services. Our ER and urgent care clinic is open 24/7.

Bayhealth Total Care’s Emergency and Urgent Care Center is located at 18383 Hudson Road, Milton, DE 19968.