Most minor bites and stings cause local itching, pain, or swelling. The right first step depends on what happened and how the person feels. Use this checklist for general education, then follow the detailed StingHelp first-aid guide or a healthcare professional’s instructions.
Start with safety #
- Move away from the source. Leave the area if insects are still present. Avoid additional stings and check whether others need help.
- Check for emergency symptoms. Difficulty breathing, throat or tongue swelling, fainting, collapse, or a rapidly worsening whole-body reaction requires immediate emergency care. Call 911 in the U.S. If the person has a prescribed epinephrine device, follow their emergency plan and the device instructions; do not delay the emergency call.
- Address what is still attached. Remove a visible bee stinger promptly. If a tick is attached, use safe tick-removal steps; do not try to treat it as an ordinary itchy bite.
- Clean and cool the area. Gently wash with soap and water. A cool compress can help with local discomfort and swelling; protect skin from direct ice contact.
- Avoid scratching. Keep the area clean and monitor how it changes. For over-the-counter options for itch or pain, follow the label and ask a pharmacist or clinician if age, pregnancy, medicines, allergies, or medical conditions create uncertainty.
When to arrange medical care #
Contact a clinician for worsening pain, expanding redness, warmth, drainage, fever, a concerning rash, symptoms after a tick bite, or an unusually large or persistent reaction. A clinician can assess possible infection or another cause. The appearance of the skin alone does not establish one.
Sources checked September 23, 2026: American Academy of Dermatology: bee sting care; AAD: bug-bite care. See also our Medical Disclaimer.
