Insect (arthropod) bites are typically pink or red and are often round in shape. Tense, fluid-filled blisters can form as a reaction to insect bites. This image displays a red/pink, round lesion typical of an insect bite. This image displays a child with small, pink bumps typical of insect bite reactions. Insect bites often have small blisters that dry and crust. This image displays insect bites after several days of itching and scratching, causing them to look like abrasions. This image displays insect bites with bloody crusts due to severe itch and scratching. This image displays a severe reaction to an insect bite with eyelid and facial swelling.
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Picture of Bug Bite or Sting: Insect (arthropod) bites are typically pink or red and are often round in shape. Divider line
Insect (arthropod) bites are typically pink or red and are often round in shape.
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Signs and Symptoms
Insect bites usually occur on the skin as small, itchy red bumps, with the occasional blister. Some insects, such as fire ants, are known to cause a painful and itchy pus-filled bump. 

Flying insects tend to choose exposed areas not covered by clothing, while some bugs (such as fleas) focus on the lower legs. Bedbugs prefer the head and neck area, often biting several times in the same area and leaving a group of lesions. 

Common reactions to insect stings include:
  • Redness, pain, and swelling
  • Severe reactions such as facial swelling, difficulty breathing, and shock (anaphylaxis)
  • Fever, hives, and painful joints (though these reactions are not as common)
Very few spiders cause severe reactions. The black widow spider may cause only a mild local reaction at the bite site, but pain, stiffness, chills, fever, nausea, and abdominal pain may follow within a few hours. Similarly, the brown recluse spider causes a marked skin reaction after a few hours with redness, pain, blistering, and ulcers forming, as well as fever, nausea, and fatigue.
Last Modified: 15 Feb 2008
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