This Simple Trick Helps Prevent Bug Bites
- The Health Digest
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
A summer walk, gardening session or afternoon on the patio can come with an unwelcome souvenir: a mosquito bite or, worse, a tick.
Most bites are nothing more than irritating. But mosquitoes and ticks can also carry infections, so a few simple precautions can make outdoor time safer — especially as we get older and may not bounce back from illness quite as easily.
Here’s what to know before your next trip outdoors.
First, make it harder for bugs to bite you
The best treatment for a bug bite is preventing it in the first place.
When you're outside, particularly in wooded or grassy areas, consider wearing lightweight long sleeves, long pants and a hat. Clothing that covers more skin gives mosquitoes and ticks fewer places to bite.
Insect repellent can provide another layer of protection. Common effective ingredients include DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535, PMD and 2-undecanone.
Don't assume that "natural" automatically means more effective or safer. Follow the directions on whatever product you choose.
And remember this simple rule if you're using both sunscreen and insect repellent: sunscreen goes on first.
Apply repellent according to the product label, preferably outdoors, and keep it away from your eyes and mouth. Don't put it on cuts, irritated skin or sunburned areas.
Once you're safely back indoors and the risk of bites has passed, wash the repellent off your skin.
Your clothes can help, too
If you're spending time in areas where ticks are common, insect-treated clothing can provide additional protection.
Permethrin-treated clothing and outdoor gear can help repel or kill ticks and other insects.
However, products containing permethrin are designed for clothing and gear — not for application directly to your skin.
Always follow the product instructions.
Already have a mosquito bite?
Most mosquito bites improve on their own within several days. The biggest challenge is often resisting the urge to scratch.
Scratching can damage the skin and increase the chance of infection.
For an itchy bite, you can try:
A cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth.
Gentle pressure on the bite for several seconds.
Calamine lotion or another appropriate over-the-counter anti-itch product.
An over-the-counter antihistamine when appropriate, particularly if you tend to have stronger reactions.
A large, swollen area or hive-like reaction can occur in some people. Swelling around the eyes is another reason to pay attention.
And don't automatically blame every fever, severe headache or body ache after outdoor exposure on "just a bug bite." Those symptoms can signal something more serious and warrant medical attention.
Found a tick? Remove it promptly.
Ticks deserve special attention because some can transmit infections.
If you discover one attached to your skin, don't wait for it to fall off on its own.
Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward slowly and steadily.
Don't try old-fashioned methods such as coating the tick with petroleum jelly, using nail polish or touching it with a hot match. These approaches aren't recommended.
After removing the tick:
Clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
If possible, save the tick in a container or take a clear photograph. Identification may help a healthcare professional assess your risk.
Keep an eye on the bite and watch for symptoms.
One important point: different tick-borne infections can behave differently. Some may be transmitted relatively quickly, so don't assume that removing a tick within a particular number of hours completely eliminates the possibility of infection.
Know the warning signs
After a tick bite, pay attention to symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, unusual fatigue, muscle or joint aches or a rash.
Some tick-borne illnesses can produce a distinctive bull's-eye or target-shaped rash, although not everyone develops one.
Also watch the bite itself. Increasing redness, pain, changes in skin color or drainage can indicate an infection.
If you develop concerning symptoms after a tick bite — particularly fever, significant flu-like symptoms, a rash or a worsening bite — contact a healthcare professional.
One small habit can make a big difference
After spending time outdoors, make a quick tick check part of your routine.
Look over your clothing and exposed skin, and check areas where ticks can hide. Don't forget less obvious places such as the hairline and other areas that are difficult to see.
The goal isn't to stop enjoying the outdoors.
It's to make a few smart habits automatic: cover up, use appropriate repellent, check yourself for ticks and know when a bite deserves medical attention.
For adults over 50, that's a small investment of time that can help keep a pleasant day outside from becoming a much bigger problem.
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