Don't bug out: Cook County Health tips for staying itch-free this summer

Most bug bites are usually more annoying than harmful, but sometimes they can require medical attention. Cook County Health has some reminders for helping avoid pesky bug bites and advice for when to call your doctor.

Mosquitoes

Mosquito bites are itchy bumps that are the result of mosquitoes puncturing your skin. In more serious but rare cases, mosquitoes can carry viruses or illnesses, such as the West Nile virus.

Minimize your exposure to mosquitoes by avoiding being outside between dusk and dawn. Cover exposed skin and burn citronella candles when outdoors.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, use an insect repellent with a listed ingredient that includes one of the following: DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), Para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.

Insect repellent should not be used on babies younger than 2 months old, while products with OLE and PMD should not be used on children under 3 years old.

Most mosquito bites don't require any medical attention. However, constant itching and scratching can cause a skin infection to develop. If this happens, you should seek medical care.

Ticks

Ticks are often found in grassy or wooded areas. They burrow themselves under the skin and can cause reactions such as tick paralysis in some people - or Lyme disease, which is spread by infected blacklegged ticks (also called deer ticks).

The CDC recommends using insect repellents containing DEET or other chemicals and avoiding tick-prone areas. If you've been outdoors in wooded or grassy areas, carefully inspect your body for ticks while changing or before taking a shower.

If you find one, use tweezers to carefully remove it, taking care to avoid crushing its body, then cleanse the wound area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Save the tick in a plastic bag or container so it can be tested for disease, if necessary.

If you cannot safely remove the tick, go to the nearest health care facility where medical staff can do so. If you develop flu-like illness, sensitivity to light and or rash after noting a tick bite, you should also seek medical attention.

Insect stings

Usually, stings of bees, wasps, yellow jackets and hornets cause only minor discomfort, with some swelling, redness, itching and warmth. The biggest risks are from allergic reactions and infection.

Remove the stinger by scraping the site gently with a blunt-edged object like a credit card or butter knife. Wash the area with soap and water, and apply a cold or ice pack to help reduce pain and swelling.

You should immediately go to your nearest emergency room if stung in the mouth, nose or throat or if the person stung experiences an allergic reaction.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

• Hives, itching and swelling in areas other than the sting site

• Abdominal cramping, vomiting, intense nausea or diarrhea

• Tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing

• Hoarse voice or swelling of the tongue or throat, or difficulty swallowing

• Dizziness or a sharp drop in blood pressure

• Loss of consciousness or even cardiac arrest

If it's not an emergency and you need someone to look at a bug bite, contact Cook County Health at (312) 864-0200 for an appointment.