When treating insect bites, you want to stay calm and rational, even if you are dealing with a hysterical child or a person responding with a serious allergic reaction.

Identify the Insect, If Possible
If you see what insect has stung or bitten you, make note of it. If you aren’t sure what kind of creature it is, try to capture the insect and keep it in case your doctor wants to identify it later. Sometimes it helps to explain health complications if the doctor knows exactly what bit or stung you. For example, most scorpion stings are not extremely toxic, but the bark scorpion is; in this case it is best to show your doctor exactly what kind of scorpion stung you. The same premise applies for spiders and ticks.

Remove the Stinger, If There Is One
Use a credit card, key or anything flat and hard to scrape the stinger off. You can also grasp the stinger with a pair of tweezers and pull it out if necessary.

Wash the Bite or Sting Site
Use soapy water to wash the site as soon as possible.

Apply the Appropriate Remedy
Most bites and stings respond well to a paste of baking soda and water or aspirin and water. Topical ointments that include an analgesic, hydrocortisone or antihistamine are also usually helpful. Apply the paste for 20 minutes, then rinse off, give your skin a break for 20 minutes and use a second time if needed.

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