Home care for insect bites and stings includes:

• Clean the skin gently:
• Use mild soap and water.
• Do not scrub the skin.
• Dry the skin.
• Apply 1% hydrocortisone cream:
• Apply to the skin, 4 times a day.
• Avoid scratching: this can cause infection.
• Apply a cold compress:
• Apply for 20-30 minutes, every 1-2 hours.
• For bites or sings to the arms or legs:
• Elevate the extremity above the heart.
• Acetaminophen for pain
• Ibuprofen for pain
• Oral antihistamines for itching:
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Take prescribed medications as directed.