Summertime is the season that many of us long for, especially during the height of winter. While it really is a great time of year, with new seasons come new interactions with nature—namely, bugs.

Spiders, mosquitoes, bees, flies and other bugs are all out in full force during the summertime, so what can you do to keep them from biting you? Our AFC Urgent Care Easley team shares some helpful answers below, so keep reading.

What Should I Do If I Get a Bug Bite?

Don’t worry about it too much initially. Bug bites and stings usually cause only minimal symptoms that go away in a day or two or up to a week. Observing the redness, pain or swelling at the bite or sting site may help you assess whether your reaction is minor. A common, minor reaction is pain, swelling and redness around the bite or sting site.

Even if you think your body’s reaction to a bug bite is a bit more than minimal, initial treatment will look the same. We’ve listed what to do after a bug bite below.

How to Treat Insect Injuries

• Remove any stingers.
• Gently wash the area with soap and water.
• Apply a damp rag soaked in cold water or ice to the area of the bite or sting for 10 to 20 minutes. This helps reduce pain and swelling.
• Take an OTC pain reliever as needed.
• If the injury is on an arm or leg, elevate it.

How Can I Prevent Bug Bites?

There’s not a one-size-fits-all answer to this. It’s tough to prevent all kinds of bug bites, but in general, one of the best things you can do is to wear pants and long sleeves outdoors.

We’ve listed a few effective prevention tips below. If you do get bitten by a bug, though, and it’s making you feel concerned, visit our AFC center to get the care and treatment you need!

Ways to Prevent Bug Bites

• Use insect repellent. To protect against bugs like mosquitoes and ticks, use insect repellent that contains 20 to 30% DEET on exposed skin and clothing, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
• Wear appropriate clothing. If you are worried about getting bitten by mosquitoes or stung by some other type of insect, wear clothes that cover your arms and legs, like long sleeves, pants and closed-toed shoes instead of sandals.
• Limit activities that increase your risk. Activities like hiking, camping, doing yard work and visiting farms and forested areas all put you at a greater risk of getting stung or bitten.

Our AFC Urgent Care Easley team can provide care for all kinds of spring and summer ailments! Visit us today to get the quality non-emergency care that you deserve.