Bug Bites Directory
Bug bites are fairly common. Some bites, such as one from a fire ant or a sting from a bee, cause immediate discomfort. Others trigger itching or go unnoticed. Bug bites or stings are seldom dangerous, but in some cases they can lead to a life-threatening allergic reaction, severe symptoms, or a serious medical condition, such as malaria or Lyme disease. Follow the links below to find WebMD's comprehensive coverage about bug bites, what they look like, how to treat them, and much more.
Medical Reference
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When to Call a Doctor About a Sting or Bite
When is an insect bite something you can manage at home--and when should you call the doctor? Learn how to tell the difference between a single sting or bite, and when a doctor's visit is in order.
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Chigger Bites - What They Look Like and Treatment Options
Learn what to do if you get an itchy skin rash from the bites of chiggers, tiny pests that live in fields and forests.
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Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites-Check Your Symptoms
WebMD provides an assessment of stings and bites by insects and spiders. Find out what to do if you find you've been bitten or stung.
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Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites-Home Treatment
Most insect bites and stings will heal on their own without a visit to a doctor.
Features
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Mosquito Bites and West Nile Virus: When to See a Doctor
Most mosquito bites cause just redness, swelling, and itching. But mosquitoes can carry West Nile virus. Here’s what to watch for.
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How to Be Repellent -- to Bugs
Want to avoid bug bites this year? Get them before they get you.
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Summer Safety Tips
Follow these safety and first-aid tips and avoid calling 911 later.
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How to Avoid Summer's Health Woes
Experts explain strategies for preventing 6 common maladies from ruining your summer fun.
Video
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Allergy-Triggering Bugs
Lots of people are scared of bugs, but if you have allergies, these are the 3 worst pests.
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Treating Bites and Stings
Learn how to prevent the allergic reactions caused by bugs.
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What Attracts Mosquitoes?
Are you a mosquito magnet? Research shows carbon dioxide, heat, alcohol, and genes could play a role.
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Video: Bee Stings and Mosquito Bites
It’s not enough that insects look creepy, but some actually bite and sting. Ouch!
Slideshows & Images
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Slideshow: Identify Bugs and Bug Bites with Pictures
Learn to identify ticks, poisonous spiders, fleas, chiggers, and other bugs. See what their bites and stings look like -- and how to find relief.
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Picture of Fire Ant Bites
A fire ant attaches to a person by biting with its jaws. Then, pivoting its head, it stings from its belly in a circular pattern at multiple sites.
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Slideshow: Things That Burrow Into Your Skin
What’s under your skin? Pictures of parasites that burrow: ticks, chiggers, scabies, screwworm, and more.
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Brown Recluse Spider
Source: Public Health Image Library (PHIL). Available online: http://phil.cdc.gov/Brown recluse spiders (Loxosceles reclusa), also called violin spiders or fiddleback spiders, are found most often in the south - central part of the United States and live in hot, dry, abandoned areas, such as wood or rock piles. They are about long with a dark violin - shaped mark on the combined head and midsectio