Signs of an infection include swelling, redness, fever, nausea, chills, cold sweats, and pus or drainage. Your bite might also be infected if your lymph nodes are swollen, the area feels warm to the touch, or there’s a redness that streaks beyond the initial bite.
Try not to rub or tug at your skin, since that can make your swelling and irritation worse. Be gentle so you don’t hurt your skin or the infected area even more.
You can also try a topical antihistamine to stop pain and itching. If your skin is broken, apply hydrocortisone cream around the area, but not directly on top of the broken skin. [4] X Research source
Try not to mix oral antihistamine types, since they sometimes have different dosage recommendations. [5] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor. org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source If you’ve already used a hydrocortisone cream, it’s still safe to take an oral antihistamine.
Reapply your calamine lotion every 4 hours to reduce itching and irritation. If your skin is broken or the wound is open, don’t apply calamine lotion directly on top of it. [7] X Research source You can even apply an aromatherapy blend for a soothing effect. Mix 2 drops peppermint oil, 3 drops frankincense oil, 5-drops lavender oil, in 1-ounce almond or coconut oil, and put it on the affected area. [8] X Expert Source Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPHBoard Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor Expert Interview. 13 April 2020.
You can also use a self-adhering bandage or a medical wrap.
This is a great alternative if you don’t have calamine lotion. Or, you can combine using an ice pack with applying calamine lotion for extra soothing.
If you can’t elevate your bug bite, it’s okay. This is an optional step that can be helpful, but it’s not totally necessary.
Plus, scratching can cause minor rips and tears in your skin, leading to more pain and swelling.
