Keep Bug Bites at Bay This Summer! | AFC Urgent Care Memphis

School’s out and the weather is hot but gorgeous! Who wants to spend time indoors when the Great Outdoors are calling?

But before you take your family outdoors this summer, it’s important to take steps to protect yourselves from bug bites. That’s why our team at AFC Urgent Care Memphis has put together this blog of helpful tips.

Protect Against Summer Bug Bites

The most common bugs biting and stinging during summer include:

  • Bees
  • Chiggers
  • Fire ants
  • Ticks
  • Wasps
  • Mosquitoes

Bug bites and stings can be annoying—and painful. But more than that, many bug bites have the potential to spread disease. That’s why it’s important to protect yourself.

Keep Scents to a Minimum

While we all have a favorite summer scent, most of the perfumes and scented soaps used during the summer months have the potential to make you an instant attraction for bugs. Because of this, keep scented products to a minimum when heading outdoors.

Apply Insect Repellent

Before you head outside, particularly if you’re going near a grassy or forested area, it’s important to apply bug spray. Which repellent to use will depend on what you’re protecting yourself from. In general, you want a product that contains DEET, but you should not use DEET on very young children.

Skip products that combine sunscreen with repellent. You’ll need to reapply the sunscreen, but not the repellent, so a two-for-one product isn’t the best idea.

Consider What You’re Wearing

While applying insect repellent is a great first step, it’s also important to take other steps to protect yourself when you’re headed into the woods.

Long sleeves, pants and hats are a great way to repel certain bugs and insects (like ticks and mosquitoes) and keep them from latching on to your skin.

When to See a Doctor for a Bug Bite or Sting

While most bug bites and stings are annoying but harmless, it’s important to seek medical attention if you:

  • Have difficulty breathing
  • Are feeling faint
  • Develop hives
  • Experience swelling of the face, eyes, tongue and lips
  • Experience throat tightness
  • Vomit

Have a bug bite that’s not responding to at-home treatment? Stop by AFC Urgent Care Memphis so that we can get you back to feeling your best.