The body releases chemicals as an immediate defense against foreign substances, such as insect saliva or venom. This triggers a localized immune response, resulting in common symptoms like irritation, swelling, and sometimes pain at the bite site. Fortunately, a variety of over-the-counter topical ointments and creams are available to soothe these uncomfortable symptoms. These treatments work by addressing the body’s inflammatory and sensory responses.
Specific Ingredients for Reducing Itch and Swelling
Corticosteroids
Topical treatments target the inflammatory process itself. Topical corticosteroids, such as over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream, are anti-inflammatory compounds that suppress the localized immune response. This action helps calm defense cells in the skin, reducing redness, swelling, and persistent itching. Hydrocortisone is typically applied in a thin layer directly to the affected area for short-term use.
Antihistamines
Another category focuses on the chemical messenger responsible for intense itching. Topical antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine cream, work by blocking the action of histamine released during the allergic-like reaction. These creams provide fast relief from the itch and reduce localized swelling. However, some individuals may experience increased skin sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity) when using topical diphenhydramine.
Topical Solutions for Numbing Pain
Local Anesthetics
When a bite or sting is painful, a different class of active ingredients is necessary to manage the localized discomfort. Topical analgesic ointments contain ingredients that temporarily interrupt nerve signaling, effectively numbing the area. Maximum-strength over-the-counter options often contain 4% lidocaine, a local anesthetic that blocks sodium channels in the nerve endings. This numbing mechanism provides direct and temporary relief for pain and can also help with associated itching.
Counterirritants
Other products use counterirritants to distract the nervous system from the pain sensation. Ingredients like menthol and camphor produce a cooling or tingling sensation instead of numbing the skin. This sensation overrides the painful or itchy signals being sent from the bite site. These compounds work by stimulating sensory receptors in the skin, drawing attention away from the underlying irritation.
Protective Applications and Preventing Secondary Infection
Soothing and Drying Agents
Some topical applications serve a purely physical or protective function. Calamine lotion produces a pink suspension that soothes and dries out the affected skin. This drying action is particularly helpful for weeping or oozing bites and creates a temporary protective barrier. Colloidal oatmeal preparations offer a similar soothing effect by coating and calming irritated skin.
Antibiotics
The primary risk from an ordinary bite is a secondary bacterial infection, which occurs when scratching breaks the skin barrier. Bacteria can enter the wound, leading to worsening redness, warmth, and pain. Topical antibiotic ointments, often containing bacitracin or a neomycin/polymyxin B combination, are applied to broken skin to prevent bacterial entry. Applying these over-the-counter products directly to scratched areas can help stave off a localized infection.
Signs That Require Medical Attention
Certain signs indicate a serious reaction or complication that requires immediate medical care. Anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction, can manifest as difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, or a rapid, weak pulse. Hives or dizziness that spreads rapidly away from the bite site are also signs of a systemic reaction. Signs of a serious localized infection, such as cellulitis, include fever, chills, rapidly spreading redness, red streaks extending from the bite, or pus drainage. If symptoms worsen significantly, fail to improve after several days of home treatment, or if the bite is from a known venomous spider, consult a healthcare provider immediately.