During the summertime, there are few things as pleasant as enjoying the sunshine and the longer summer nights. However, the influx of mosquitos and other biting insects can drive people indoors once the weather warms up. For some, biting insects can be a major concern in the summer months. If you’re someone who suffers from large amounts of insect bites in the summertime, you may be wondering if you should consider seeking medical care for insect bites. Keep reading to learn more about how to prevent bug bites and what to do if you feel overrun by insect bites.
At AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook, our walk-in clinic provides walk-in care for a variety of ailments, including bug bites. Bug bites can quickly become infected if you scratch them. For convenient medical care, walk into AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook this summer.
How to Avoid Bug Bites During the Summer
For some, it may seem as though bugs prefer their blood more the others. There are hundreds of conspiracy theories suggesting that blood type and other genetic factors may influence how appealing you are to insects like mosquitos. It is hard to say if there are any genetic factors that influence how many bug bites you get. If you’re someone who doesn’t find themselves burdened with bug bites all summer long, consider yourself lucky. For anyone who suffers from bug bites and the feeling of being eaten alive anytime you’re outside around dawn and dusk, there are some steps you can take to help reduce the chances of getting bitten.
Wearing long pants and long sleeves may seem impractical in some instances, but covering your skin will make it impossible for bugs to bite you most of the time. Avoiding being exposed particularly at dawn and dusk when bugs are most active will certainly help reduce the amount of times you’re bitten. Lighting citronella candles and using hanging bug traps can both help drive bugs away from outdoor areas, however, it's always a good idea to spray yourself in bug spray if you plan on spending time outdoors.
At-Home Bug Bite Remedies
In most cases, bug bites are harmless. However, they can be very irritating and difficult to ignore because they tend to be extremely itchy. If you find yourself with a few bug bites after being outside, it the best course of action is to ignore them as much as possible. Avoid scratching them at all costs. Scratching the bite can open up the skin which can cause the bite to become infected and prolong healing. There are some at-home remedies that you can try to stop the itching. Icing the bite will make the skin numb and reduce the itching. Over-the-counter anti-itch creams can also be very effective. Putting a bandaid over the bite also may help reduce your ability to itch the bite while it’s healing.
Getting Treatment for Infected Bug Bites
Bug bites usually heal on their own over the course of a few days. If you do scratch a bug bite and make it bleed, it is important to take steps to avoid an infection occurring. Antibiotic creams such as Neosporin will help fend off any infection. You should wash the bite with soap and water, apply Neosporin, and cover it daily until it heals. If your bug bite gets larger, very red or is excreting any kind of liquid or puss, it may have gotten infected. Depending on the size of the bite, you may need to seek medical care for a course of antibiotics to clear up the infection.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook for Walk-In Care in Bound Brook, NJ
If you have an infected bug bite, you may need medical treatment to help clear the infection. At AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook, our clinic offers care for minor injuries and illnesses 7 days a week with no appointment needed. Simply walk into the clinic when it is convenient for you and get rapid care with short wait times. Our clinic accepts most medical insurance plans and offers affordable care. We are conveniently located for patients in Bound Brook, Manville, Middlesex, Bridgewater, and Green Knoll, NJ. Simply walk in.
