Insect Bites, Tick Bites, and Stings

Abstract

Bites and stings typically result from an insect or tick trying to obtain a blood meal from a host. Clinically, they appear as erythematous papules that can be distributed singly, grouped, or generalized, depending on the amount of accessible skin and the number and type of the biting; a robust host response can produce bullae. Pruritus often results either as a direct result of the bite or as a host response to proteins injected into the skin by the insect. Stings involve the injection of venom into the victim and may cause reactions ranging from local irritation to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Although worldwide distributed, insects are numerous in humid hot climate zones, and, therefore, insect bite and sting-induced diseases commonly occur in dark skin populations. They are also common complains of visitors and returning travelers.