Foot and Ankle Insect Bite Treatment in Walnut Creek, CA, and Brentwood, CA

If the reaction to an insect bite is severe enough to warrant an emergency situation (i.e. they are developing any symptoms of anaphylaxis), call 911 immediately and ensure that they are moved to a safe environment. For mild insect bites on the ankle, first check the site for any remnants of a stinger from the insect. Then, you should clean the site of the bite with soap and water and apply a cold compress or ice pack to the site to help manage or reduce any swelling for around 10 to 20 minutes. To further reduce swelling, keep the ankle propped up and elevated if possible. The insect bite may become itchy, in which case, some sort of anti-itch lotion or anti-histamine should be used to alleviate any symptoms to avoid having the site of the bite be scratched, increasing the risk of infection.

The exact symptoms that develop after an insect bite can vary depending on what species provided the bite. Common symptoms include itchiness or redness at the site of the bite and will likely only cause minor discomfort. These symptoms will typically develop very soon after getting bitten, and will worsen if the recipient scratches or further irritates the location of the insect bite. Sometimes insect bites can cause severe allergic reactions, which may result in much more extreme symptoms such as anaphylaxis, rapid swelling, and generalized itching.

Often insect bites or stings will appear as a small red bump in the skin wherever the bite took place. You may not even see the mark until you just feel an itch on your skin and go to scratch it, revealing a small bump rise from your skin. Mosquito bites will typically look like a white bump that is very itchy, with maybe some redness surrounding the area. Fire ant bites will often look like a small red area with a tiny white blister in the center. Bites that have been provided by bed bugs will likely appear like a minor rash, often dark red and incredibly itchy. Some insect bites or stings that are more severe may develop into larger blisters or welts. In many cases, you will be able to see a small mark where you were bitten, and it will fade on its own if you do not scratch or irritate the skin further. More severe bites or stings from toxic insects or spiders can appear much larger and even cause bruising around the bite.

The symptoms that are caused from an insect bite will usually take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to fully dissipate, indicating that the bite has healed. For many of the common bites we endure from insects, once the bite is properly treated and no further irritation has been done to the site of the bite, the bite will heal very quickly. The more you scratch or irritate an insect bite, the longer it may take for all of the symptoms to go away. As well, the more severe reactions to bug bites such as hives, rashes, or bruising may take up to a week to fully heal. The site of the insect bite may be sensitive or easily irritated until it is fully healed.

To learn more about the treatment, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations in Walnut Creek CA and Brentwood CA. We serve patients from Walnut Creek CA, Brentwood CA, Concord CA, Pleasant Hill CA, Pittsburg CA, Antioch CA, Alamo CA, Danville CA, Oakley CA, and surrounding areas.