Insect bites or stings may be associated with large circular areas of swelling; the raw areas on the left lesion are probably due to scratching. Some patients react to insect bites with large, fluid-filled blisters. On people with darker skin, inflammation and redness from insect bites can appear as red-brown-colored lesions. Insect bites or bug bites can cause localized redness and itching. An insect bite can cause a lot of swelling in the thin skin around the eye. An insect bite can also become blistered. Two insect bites are shown on this foot; note that the larger one has a tiny central crust where the insect bit. Insect bites often have small blisters that dry and crust. This image displays a child with two insect bites with variable swelling on the hands. Bites from insects often lead to itch, scratching, and resulting crusts. Bug bites often cause hive-like (urticarial), swollen lesions.
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Picture of Bug Bite or Sting (Pediatric): Insect bites or stings may be associated with large circular areas of swelling; the raw areas on the left lesion are probably due to scratching. Divider line
Insect bites or stings may be associated with large circular areas of swelling; the raw areas on the left lesion are probably due to scratching.
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Who's At Risk
Insect bites and stings are a problem in all regions of the world for people of all ages. In the Midwest and East Coast regions of the US, mosquitos, flying insects, and ticks cause most bites. In drier areas of the Western US, crawling insects are more likely to cause bites.

There is no proven connection to race or sex in terms of how a person reacts to bites. However, some individuals clearly seem more attractive to insects, perhaps related to body heat, odor, or how much carbon dioxide they give off when they breathe.

About 0.5–5% of people living in the US are likely to have severe allergic reactions to stings.
Last Modified: 25 Jan 2008

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