By Farrel Silverman, DO, Virtua Primary Care

The heat is on, and the bugs are loving it as much as we are. Here's what you need to know to treat and prevent bug bites so they don't spoil your summer fun.

MOSQUITOES: If you know someone who seems to attract every mosquito in the zip code, you're not imagining it. Studies show certain species may be more drawn to people based on:

• Blood type (type O is a favorite)
• Sweat and body heat
• Carbon dioxide
• Pregnancy
• Even beer consumption

Whatever your "mosquito magnet" score, bites are a major annoyance and sometimes, a serious health risk. Some mosquitoes carry illnesses like the West Nile virus.

How to protect yourself:

• Use an insect repellent that contains DEET, which works best
• Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors
• Remove standing water around your home

If you're bitten:

• Apply cortisone cream to ease the itch
• Avoid scratching to prevent infection
• Monitor for signs of illness, such as weakness, confusion, or fever and call your doctor if symptoms develop

TICKS: Ticks are more than just a nuisance, they’re dangerous disease-spreaders. While Lyme disease gets most of the spotlight, ticks can also transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Babesiosis, and Ehrlichiosis.

• These pests need hours to transmit harmful bacteria, so early removal is key.
• Check yourself, kids, and pets after hiking, gardening, or spending time in grassy or wooded areas.

If you find a tick:

• Use tweezers to carefully remove it, gripping as close to the skin as possible
• Wash the area (and your hands) with soap and water
• Clean the tweezers with an alcohol wipe
• Apply antibiotic ointment like Neosporin to the bite
• Watch for symptoms such as rash, fever, fatigue, headache, or body aches. Contact your primary care doctor or visit Urgent Care in person or through telehealth if you’re concerned.

CHIGGERS: Tiny but mighty, chiggers are invisible mites that hide in tall grasses and attach to exposed skin. You won’t know you’ve been bitten until the itching starts hours later and the discomfort can last for weeks. If you've been in a grassy area and notice intense itching or red bumps, you may have encountered chiggers.

Treatment tips:

• Wash the affected area with hot, soapy water
• Use an over-the-counter lice shampoo to kill remaining mites
• Apply anti-itch cream or take an oral antihistamine
• Visit Urgent Care if itching persists or worsens

BEES, WASPS, AND HORNETS:Bee stings can trigger allergic reactions, especially for those who are sensitive. Unlike bees, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets can sting repeatedly adding to the discomfort.

For mild reactions:

• Remove the stinger (if visible)
• Clean the area thoroughly
• Apply hydrocortisone cream and a cold compress
• Take an over-the-counter antihistamine to reduce swelling
• Watch for severe symptoms like swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, chest tightness, or trouble breathing. These could indicate a serious allergic reaction. If you notice any of these, call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.
• If you're diagnosed with a sting allergy, your doctor may prescribe an EpiPen, a life-saving injectable treatment for emergency use.

What can you do to prevent bug bites?

Follow these summer safety basics:

• Stay out of tall grasses and thick vegetation when possible
• Wear long sleeves, pants, and high socks when outdoors
• Use an EPA-approved insect repellent containing DEET
• Avoid perfumes or scented lotions that may attract bugs

Where to go for care depends on the severity of your symptoms:

• Redness and minor sting or itching: self-treat at home, taking an antihistamine like Benadryl, and applying topical ointments to relieve itch and avoid infection.
• Bullseye rash; uncontrollable itching from chiggers: see your primary care doctor or Urgent Care, in person or via telehealth.
• Fatigue, body aches, fever, headache following an insect bite: see your primary care doctor or visit Urgent Care in person or by telehealth.
• For a sudden and severe reaction like throat tightness, tongue or lip swelling, or difficulty breathing: these are signs of a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room.

Quickly treating your bites and stings may minimize your reaction and irritation. Stock your medicine cabinet with an antihistamine like Benadryl, topical hydrocortisone cream for relief from itching, and a topical antibiotic ointment to help prevent infection.

Get the care you need

A Virtua Primary Care clinician can treat your bug bites – and much more. You can also get care on the spot from anywhere in New Jersey with an Urgent Care Telehealth visit – or walk-in care at one of Virtua's convenient urgent care centers throughout South Jersey.

When you need emergency care, don't delay. Virtua's emergency rooms are open 24/7 and employ rigorous safety and cleaning protocols to ensure your safety.