By Farrel Silverman, DO, Virtua Primary Care

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

Your guide to South Jersey's biting bugs

Mosquitoes

If you know someone who seems to attract mosquitoes, 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
• 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

How to treat a mosquito bite

• 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.

What to do if you're bitten by 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.

How to treat chigger bites

• Wash the affected area with hot, soapy water
• Apply anti-itch cream like hydrocortisone cream (1%) or calamine lotion or take an oral antihistamine like Benadryl
• Visit a Virtua Urgent Care if itching persists or worsens

Bees, wasps, or 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 severe reactions

Severe symptoms like swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, chest tightness, or trouble breathing 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.

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

What can you do to prevent bug bites?

Follow these summer safety basics to prevent bug bites:

• 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 you 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 or uncontrollable itching from chiggers: see your primary care doctor or Urgent Care, in person or via telehealth.
• Fatigue, body aches, fever, headache: 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 care for bug bites and more at Virtua

A Virtua Primary Care clinician can treat your bug bites – and much more. You can also get care 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.